The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-08-06
THE ]. P.'S IN SESSION.
THEY HOLD THEIR SECOND ANNUAL
CONVETION LAST WEEK.
They Want Larger Fees and Wider Jul
risdiction The New Officers Elected.
The Convention Adjourned.

At ten O'Clock wednesday morning, In the
city courthouse, the wearers of the y. r..
ermine, representing nearly two-thirds OF
the counties of the state of Georgia, from
the wire grass region of the southwest 10
the smoky mountain tops of the Blue
Ridge, met I'm their second annual con-
vention.
Two or three of the delegates were gray
bearded old men, who had been in the SER
vice of the law for nearly fifty years. Their
hoary locks inspired a feeling of respect
and reverence among the younger delegates;
while their brows, knit with the problems
of th, law which had so often fretted their
composure of mind gave earnest of the
varied lore concealed behind the spectacles
and which they had gathered during busy
lifetime from the dockets of their own
courts of justice.
The burden of complaint which character
lied the proceedings of the convention yes
terday was the lack of justice in the APP
portionment of fees and the extension of
the jurisdiction. 1t was shown that the
smaller magistrates were the objects OF
very unfair discrimination. and the correc-
ton Of this evil was one OF the principal
objects for which the convention was organ
ICED.
Morning Session.
promptly at 10 o'clock Judge j. @. Blood
worth. the chairman of the last convention,
occupied the chair and pr sided with his
customary grace and dignity.
Judge r. l.. Rodgers eX-justice of the
West End militia district and secretary Of
the last convention, read the mnut,s of the
first annual session, which wer, approved.
I'm view of the fact said Judge Rodgers,
that | have resigned my office as justice
of the p ace since the last session of the
convention, | am no longer a legal member
of the body. 1t is therefore the duty of the
convention to select a new secretary.
judy, Orr placed in nomination Judge A.
=. Adamson, of Clayton county, who was
elected unanimously.
Il now move" said Judge Orr, that we
extend cordial invitation to Judge Rodg~
to remain with US and take part III
our proceedings
IL suggest that we make him a life m M
ber," put in Judge Landrum.
The amendment was accepted and Judge
Rodgers was made life member of the
association.
IL thank you very much for this compli-
ment" said Judge Rodgers, rising to his
feat and blushing like school girl Though
| have given up my office | have lost none
of my enthusiasm for the work and am
still ready to cooperate with my brethren
My first experience as a justic, of the
peace dates back to my twenty-hrst year
| was then living in Burke county and was
elected to the Office by ten Vot s. the total
number polled. | discharged the duties as
well as | knew how, but two years after l
m Dved QUE of the county | was indict q by
the grand jury for failing to present my
docket U4aughterD That is about as near
as | ever came to getting in trouble
shall always entertain brotherly lie ms
towards a justice of the peace and shall al
ways try to be with you in your gather
ings." tApplauseD
hrs
Rodgers's little talk, sugg .sted that a com
mittee Of five be appointed to retire ana
formulate "a plan of procedure, recommehu-
ing such business as properly belolS-d 10
the scope of the convention.
Judge I.andrum objected to the appoint
ment of n committee before the cow ntion
was fully organized. He thought 1t best I"
ascertain .gho were pr sii.t Ia orief u u.
out whether or not is was j. T. conVeh-
ton.
II was finally decided, however. TO APP
point the committee and to enroll the lese
OATS when the committee was out OF the
room The following justices were appoint
ed bv the chair: Orr of Fulton; Harris OF
Flovd; McVurdy, of Dekalb; McdoWah' VI
Madison, and Franklin of Fayette.
While the committee was our the uele
Gates pr sent advanced to the secretary
desk and signed the muster roll OF the con-
vention IL was ascertalned th"t -.
siderable length of time would De requiieu
by the committee in getting up lts reco"i
mendations and accordingly motion was
made and carried to adjourn until O'Clock.
ON motion of Judge Rodgers the coHlpll-
mont of n free life membership was ten
dered to Judge w. G. Davis, VINO mao re-
signed his position of justice OF the peace
during the year. Judge Davis was one OF
the inaugurators of the movement whlch
started the association a year ago, and has
given it ali along his cordial support ana
co-Opera ton.
Judge Adamson. the secretary of the con
vention. has filed the office OF justice OF
the peace for nearly twenty-for years.
During that period of time he has per
formed the marriage ceremony for la coup
les Judge Adamson came to the city yes
terday as delegate to the Justices @E-the
peace, the congressional and the gupernato-
rial convention. This conveys an idea OF
his prominence and popularity among the
people of Clayton county.
Legislation Recommended.
Promptly at o'clock the convention re-
assembled
Judge e. H. Orr, the chairman of the
committee, submitted the following report,
which is given as amended
Il. We recommend that section 400 OF the
code, referring to new justices OF the peace
when first coming into office, be amended
by extending its provisions to any justice
of the peace or notary public and eX-otiicio
tinctly allowing a change of time. as well
rs of place for holding said courts.
-. We recommend that paragraph IL, of
section 457 relative to Justices making a
list of taxpayers and returning same to
the receiver be repealed, or that just and
adequate compensation be allowed by the
county for the service.
IS. We ask that section ), of act of Oc-
tober Ii, 1891, providing for the hearing of
contested election cases be amended by
granting to the justice preslding a per diem
of 50. to be taxed against the party cost in
the contest.
Il. We ask that justices of the peace and
freeholders and their clerks be adequately
compensated for holding elections by gen
eral law, the same not to supersede any
local law on this subject now in operation
-. We ask that the law be so amended
as to authorize appeals in forma pau
peris' to a jury in the justice court only,
whether the amount be $50 more.
20. We recommend that all affadavits in
forma pauperis be two-fold one as to the
inability Of appellant to pay cost. and the
other as to his inability to give bond
-. We ask that in cases of attachments
and garniShmentS and similar papers is