Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-18
FOR sALARIEp JUSTICES.
Many City Lawyers Seem to Favor the
Plan.


Plan.
There is quite difference Of opinion
among attorneys of the city on the
proposed changes IN tho justices courts
system. The prevalent opinion among
those seen is. however. IN favor of \
sAlarled system of some sort. Here
are few opinions.
James +. McBride--'I do not Ike
either of the bulls talked OF and pro-
pose 10 draw bill myself. think the
Detroit law IL = good one and pro.
pose 10 copy after IL. That law has
been tried and they would not change
il for anything. My idea is to have
four Justices or three If they can do
the work. would have the last one
elected serve As clerk of the justice
courts Tor one year. He should issue
all papers and do all the marrying
business. All the fees should be turned
into the treasurer and tho Justices and
the clerk should he paid fixed salaries. !"
Justice Westiail-"I have not read
the bills and so have no opinion on
them. l think it would be we'll enough
to have the justices salaries fixed.
When the Wesslius bill was pending
they looked over our books and found
that the business would cover the sala-
ries of four justices 50 it would certain
lv provide we'll for two"
Judge Adst-"I have not seen the
bills and would not like to express an
opinion"
+. A. Dapper-I have given the sub
ject some attention, and favor Mr..
Anderson's bill. l think the justices
should be paid q salary. have known
of . great deal of fraud in the justice
courts. The system, as now operated,
is q farce. They should all be placed
on q salary.
Prosecuting Attorney Wolcott =
have not gwen the bills much atten-
ton, but on general principles am in
favor of change. placing the Justices
on regular salary. Understand they
have \ system in Detroit which is very
satisfactory, and understand they
propose to copy that. II it works we'll
in Detroit do not see why 1t should
not work we'll here.
James w. Ransom-I think they
should let we'll enough alone. There
is no reason why the present system
should be changed. lfthey attempt to
make tho changes they propose they
will have q big job on their hands to
get q substitute that will answer as
well.
Judge Burlingsme-I think that the
best way to insure justice and to avoid
unnecessary litigation is to have all
judges, justices, clerks and court Off
ces on salaries 20 far as 1t 10 practlc-
able. OF course the services of cOnsta-
bles are 90 indefinite that they could
hardly be included in the list of sal
aired persons. If you want justice you
should not make the income OF the
court and officers depend upon the
number of cases handled or the length
of time to which cases may be dragged
out.
George Thompson-I have not read
the bills carefully, but something of
the kind 10 needed. The salaries men,
toned, however, are too high. The
salary should be not moro than 81 900
per year.
l.. +. Carroll-I have not seen the
bills, but change should be made so
that the salary of justice should not
depend on the number OF cases
handled.
Justice Holcomb-I favor q bill
which will make as few changes as
possible from the present system. ex-
cept as regards salaries. / think it
should be q salaried Office.