The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-04-17
presented to us, which we have examin-

presented to us, which we have examin-
ell and investigated carefully. OF this
number, we have presen. ell 6fty.thres
'.1ruc Bills, )" and ouc hwndred and seven
"No Bills" Among the former, We re-
gret to report an unusual number Of the
most serious crimes known to the law.
The practice Of carrying concealed weap-
Ons is responsible for u large proportion
of the remainder aud from the large num-
Der Of cases presented to us, We have con-
vincing evidence that this criminal and
dangerous pfaetice prevails to an alarnl-
ing extent, This practice is tho Prolific
source OF other violations OF the law and
so franght with danger to society, that it
should receive the strongest condemna-
tioE Of all good citizens, and the severcst
penalties OF the law.
In the second category Of cases inves-
tigatcd, in which no bills weie prcsensed
we have found large number Of CASES,
either unsupported by sufficient testiino-
ny, or OF 50 frivolous a nature, that we
set them aside as INV worthy Of attention
or prosecution in court ef Justice. In
this respect our experience has been SIM
lar to that of our predecessors. The
number Of eases, principally minor Of
fenses, sent up by the various magic
trates throughout the parish, has become
50 great that it has become the subject
of serious criticism by the thoughtful
citizens, as we'll as heavy and undue
charge upon the resources Of tho parish.
1t is not our duty or intention to make
any specific complaints, as these acts arc
done in the pane and under the pretec-
ton of the law as it now stands; but We
deem it our duty, in the interest of
the community to call attention to
the operations OF thus particular fea-
ture of our Judiciary system, and wo
! assert unequivoeally, that the best inter-
ests Of society, as well as Of justice, de.
mand that some radical changes Of the
law be made. The present system ia
anomalous, expensive, Ineffective and Of
tentimes harsh in its operation. The
| prosecution and punishment OF misde-
meanOrs should he speedy and prompt.
| Minor offenses sh ,uId be tried speedily
and summarily aud the convicted per-
son made to pay his fine and costs in
money OF in labor for the public.
But under the system now existing in
Louisiana, misdemeaDors are prosecuted
in the same manner as felonies and in
this respect the practice in Louisiana
differs, we believe, from that Of every
other State. 1t is notorious fact that
the great bulk Of criminal prosecutions
are for minor ofenses and involve bur
densofne charges both in the justice and
district courts.
1t often costs more to prosecute = case
of simple assault and battery, than it
does murder case. The magistrates
court is ordinarily, is the channel through
which these cases are brought up to the
District Court, and the accused il fire.
quently compelled to lie in Jail for months
unable to give bond before his case can
be disposed of, and when tried, some
slight punishment is very often inflicted.
The Parish is compelled to bear the bur-
den of costs, both in the Justice of the
peace, and the District Courts. There is
practically 10 limit to the number of
witnesses in either Court, ard while tho
Constitution fixes the salaries Of the
Sheriff in Criminal cases, and denies the
Clerk vi the Court any charges for seryi-
ces in slch matters, yet tie Constable
and Justice OF the peace are practically
unrestricted Oh their costs, anomalous
as it may seem, yet there is authority for
the assertion, that q Constable is per-
United to receive more fees for services
rendered in single ward than the Sheriff
receives for services rendered throughout
the whole Parish.
The difficulties and shortcomings of the
ia'" governing these matters, are new and
not confined to the Parish. They have re-