Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-10
DISTRICT IN CONGREss
An Important Bill as to the Powers of
Justices of the Peace Considered.

REfoRMAToRY AND DETENTION HOUSE Fol
WOMEN TO BE PRoyIDED-AN INPeRIAS,
CHANGE IN THE POWERS OF JUSTICES OF TIN
RxAcE-A BOARD OF GUARDIANS FOR cHnRpES
The House committee on judiciary at it
regular meeting this morning begun considera
son OF an important District bill. The bill
was introduced by Mr.. Meredith January ant
provides rs follows:
That every justice Of the peace Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia shall have power and au
fhority to issue writs Of attachment
In all cass with in their Jurisdiction
against the property, rights. credits and
effects Of any defendant under like circum
stances and upon like grounds. and upon the
PLAINTIFF, bis agent or attorney, fling with the
Justice similar affidavit Supported
by the testimony Of one or more
sisnesses). and an undertaking with
Sufficient surety or sureties. as are now
Or may hereafter be required. prescribed or
provided BY law or by the rules and regula-
tons OF the Supreme Court of the District Of
Columbia where the claim or demand for which
sud writ may issue does not exceed the sum of
600 exclusive of costs; and every justice of
the peace of said District shall also have the
power and authority TO issue writs of repleyin
where the property to be replevied shall not
exceed in value the sum of 500. upon
The Justice q similar affidavit and under taking
ss are now or may hereafter be required, pre-
scrlbed or provided by law, or by the rules
and regulations Of the Supreme Court of the
district OF Columbia, IN cases within the lurls-
dction of said Supreme Court Of the said Dis
trict-
Sec. 2. That the writs of attachment and Of
repievih when issued by justices Of the peace as
N the preceding section o. this act provided,
shall be in like form as those now prescribed
or which may hereafter be prescribed by the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
and shall be signed by the justice issuing the
same, and directed and delivered to some con-
stable duly appointed and qualified in and for
said District Of Columbia
SEQ g. That the justice Of the peace in all
cases falling within his Jurisdiction. as herein
before provided, shall perform the duties
required Of the Supreme Court of the
District Of Columbis. or any Judge or
clerk thereof, and the constable
shall perform the duties required of the United
States marshal for the District of Columbia in
cases Of attachment and replevin within the
tr1ct
Sec. 4. That the constable to whom the writs
OF attachment and of replevin, hereinbefore pro-
yidsd for, shall be directed and delivered snail
execute the same and make return thereof. with
MS ooings thereon, within ten DAYS from and
afssr receiving the same, to the justice issuing
the same, when and whsreupon the said Justice
shan proceed and act in respect to said writs of
attachment and Of replevin as is done
Gouf nk' cases s,, arising n,as,. in the Supreme
tces and officers Of said Supreme Court OF said
District, and like authority is hereby con-
ferred upon such justice as is now POSSESSED by
the justices and officers Of said Supreme Court.
Sec s. That If upon the trial Of any cause be-
fore justice Of the peace in said District, in
which q writ of replevin has been issued. and
property seized or taken Hereunder. it shall be
required by either party to the cause. or
become, necessary to submit any issue or mat
Yer TO jury, then, in that event. such justice
OF the peace shall have the same authority to
issue q venire for and to impanel jury is
now conferred upon justices Of the peace by
chapter 81 OF the Revised Statutes of the United
States relating to the District of Columbia
Sec O. That whenever the appraised value of
the property taken under any writ of replevin
issued by justice Of the peace of said District
shall exceed the sum of Sl0O the justice
Of the peace. upon the return of the
writ to him, shall forthwith certify the pro-
ceedings upon such writ to the Supreme Court
of tbs District of Columbia, and there
upon file the original papers, together
with certified transcript OF his docket
entries, with the clerk Of the said
Supreme Court and thereupon and thereafter
the case shall be proceeded with as il it had
been originally brought in said Supreme
Court
Sec. 7. The Supreme Court Of the District
OF Columbia shall make and establish rules of
practice and prepare and publish forms of
respect to the Writs herein b
provided for: and tx and establish
bill of fees and costs to be taxed, charged
and collected by the justices Of the peace for
themselves and constables performing duties
under the provisions Of this act; such
ices and costs not to be less
than the fees and costs allowed under
existing laws to the clerk of the Supreme Count
of the District of Columbia, and 10 the United
States marshal for said District in respect to
wrlts OF attachment. garnishment and replevin
issued out of said Supreme Court.
Sec. g. That all acts and parts of acts here
tofore passed inconsistent with the provisions
Of this act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 3. That this act shall take effect from
and after its passage.
lengthy discussion ensued and the commit
tee adjourned without taking action. The bill
viii be brought up again next Tuesday.
HOUSE OF DETENTION FOR WOMEN.
The subcommittee Of the House District
committee having charge Of the subject of
charities today decided to favorably report the
bill providing for the erection of reformatory
and house Of detention for women charged
with and convicted OF crimes and mis-
demeanors in the District The approximation
"a reduced from $500. coo to s50.000. The site
shall be selected by the Attorney General and
Secretary of the Interior. The control and
management Of The building shall be vested in
the Attorney General and all the officers
as Tar a. possible, shall be women.
Every prisoner discharged from the re-
formstory after one years service shall
be furnished with suitable clothing and IS in
money, together with transportion to her home.
In all cases where the imprisonment would be
In jail the courts are authorized to commit
women to this reformatory. Commitments
may be made from any United States court
A BoAED OF CHuDEESs GUaRDIAxs
The subcommittee also decided to report
fAyorsbly the following important bill, which
was introduced by Mr.. Hemphili and which is
said TO receive the commentator of all per-
sons interested in charities: Tha, there shall
be created in and for the District
Of Columbia board to be kncwn
the board Of chiidren's guardians
composed of nine members, WHO shall serve
without compensation, the said board to be a
body polite and corporate and to have the
powers and to be constituted in the manner
hereinafter provided
Sec 2 That the members of the board of
childrens guardians shall be appointed bv the
JUDGES OF the Police Court and the Judge hold
Ing the Criminal Court of the District OF Column
bia, met together for that purpose the assent ola
majority OF such judges being necessary to ap-
pointment In each case: Provided, that there
shall always be at least three representatives
o. each sex upon the board OF the nine men,
bers trst appointed after the passage OF this act