The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-09-27


amount of criminal business, and also
upon the fact that the crimes charged
were none Of them of a serious nature.
That Notwithstanding The fact that
our population is increasing, crime is
decreasing. This shows that our
civilization 10 advancing. This state
of things the Court thought was due
in great measure to the Schools and
Churches as well as TO the Courts.
That at one session when he was
District Attorney, which is many years
ago, there were los cases on the list
In the neighboring counties their
criminal calendar is crowded. AT the
last sessions in Lycoming County
there were 100 cases and in Schuyl.
kill County there was 100 the first
and Ss cases the second week, and
three Judges were kept busy trying
them. A large portion of the time
our jail is empty.
Charles Johnson was appointed tip
stave to the Grand Jury.
In the estate OF Rebecca Brcisch
the Executor was ordered to pay in
,ccordance with the finding of the
| Auditor.
At this juncture Of the proceedings
Judge Murphy appeared and took his
seat on the bench.
Edmund Linebeck was sworn and
admitted as citizen of the United
States.
The constables were called and
made their returns, and all answered
excepting the two from Main and
Roaringcreek Townships and they
came in Court afterwards. The
Court instructed them to take the
chairs in the Jury box as he had sew
eral matters to which he desired to
call their attention. He said in sub
stance as follows. "That complaint
had been made that the Supervisors
in the different Townships had not
been prompt in making repairs to
roads. That they had reasonable
time in which to make them and that
the storm of few weeks since was
extraordinary in its severity and a
large amount of damage had been
done. Also that complaint had come
from the citizens of Beaver Township
that the license laws were being
violated, and that the Constables
desired information as to their
duty in such cases. Some of the
Constables have informed him that
they have visited the hotels, &c, regu-
larly according to law, and in addition
to that, have secretly endeavored to
detect violations of the law. The law
does not require you to do this. Does
not require you to act as a spy and &C
around in disguise to ferret out vio-
lations of the law. You must not do
anything that detracts from the dignity
or honor Of your Office. If a citizen
informs you of violation Of the law
and gives you the names of witnesses
it is your duty to report it to Court
But you are not to do this on mere
. hearsay evidence. You must have
the names of the Witnesses. At the
last Session of the Legislature Law
was passed defining disorderly conduc
and fixing penalties for such offense
Complaints have been made tina
dancing platforms near highways arr
, nuisance and that you desire instruc
tons as to that subject. Unless th'
congregating and meeting of people
at public place near highway work
an annoyance to the public do no.
= consider it right for you to interfere
You could attend dances &c. anC
prevent breach Of the peace ant
that without warrant. You mus
see the crime committed however
: otherwise you must have warrant
Any citizen has right to lodge al
l information, so can you, but you ar
e not obliged to do it. There is alsC
e another matter to which ! desire t.
. call your attention. The Act of AS
: sembly OF Feby. 18th 1889 relating t.
r the election of Constables was revise'
e by Act passed June a6, 1895. |
: virtually legislates you all out of Office
e 1t has been questioned whether the
S had the power to deprive you of you
Office. There is q diversity OF opin
! ion on it. In our opinion the Legis
i lature created the Office and has
y right to revise it. We hold that ther
must be an election next February
S Your term will end at tine expiration
: of your service for ore year. Tn
S reason for the passage of this Act o
If Assembly was to settle the uncertaint
S and ambiguity which existed unde
the former Act, After the Act o
a 1889 was passed the election came o.
d the 20 of February. Some held tina
tb. elactioo ebnulJ ha halJ ,kan 80