Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-05
Criminal and other Expenses Of
the state.

February 3, 1896
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
a good deal has been said in certain
quarters about the criminal and other
expenses of this State.
III gentlemen will 90 TO the bottom Of
this subject it will be seen that we
have here as economical q judiciary sys-
TEN, under the circumstances surround
ing US, as could be devised.
The State of Virginia at the close of
the war was made the dumping ground
for the camp-followers and rlh-raft Of
two great armies, and also of large
number of newly-made freedmen. Thou
sands Of these naturally fell into crimi-
nal habits, and by the Constitution OF the
country were entitled TO trial by jury.
The establishment OF the County Court.
with a judge learned In the law OF the
State" TO try these cases at once and
''at the spot where offences occurrss
was a godsend to the Commonwealth.
And So successive legislatures. recog-
nizing this as true, have from time to
time. through amendments submitted &c
the people. eliminated the various oDnoA-
iOus clauses OF the Underwood" Consti-
tuition, until IL has ceased 10 be the I'm
derwood Constitution. But they have not
sought TO touch the county-cOurt system,
well knowing that IN this state, with its
large cities and numerous towns. and the
elements OF population alluded to above.
nothing could supply its place.
Just think If II. There are nearly LOO
convicts In our penitentiary. These judi
cal mills must have been grinding
surely" and not slowly, and grinding well,
too. For It is only now and then that
we hear of appeals successfully made
from these courts.
A..
one. The judges Of these courts are
they are patriotic men, constantly watch
ing to see that the charges to the State
are as light as is consistent with the
requirements OF justice.
IL these charges are heavy, II is not
the fault OF the trial courts, but of the
mode OF trial under which they proceed.
The number Of grand Jurors required has
been reduced. making a considerable
saving 10 the counties, and the number
required for the trial OF felony cases re-
duced from twenty-four 10 twenty, and
there is a proposition 10 still further re-
duce the number to sixteen. THIS is in
the right direction. And l believe that
twelve. free from exception, would gene
rally be found sufficient.
II the Judge OF the court had discretion
m summon a Jury or not before the court
convenes II would be found a great
saving of expense. He may now get
iurv al any time but he is directed by
statute 10 summon one before court, and,
~ course he does IL, unless by accident
I, a omitted. And he IL directed TO pro-
cure a iury remote from the place where
The offence was committed, and they re-
ceivs Il day and mileage. Now.
offences more often occur near the county
seats in the towns. and villages and so
the mileage expense is increased. Why
no, allow the Judge discretion in this
matter? He will then be enabled TO exer-
else his Judgment In obtaining an i'm
martial Jury at about half the present cost.
Esneclally will this occur II he Is allowed
10 summon twelve only. who shall be the
venire. unless the accused al the time
OF calling the jury demands TO have four
added.
rhe General Assembly has taken hold
80 .h,s matter. and these views have
,,rohablv occurred To the members. The
snggest,ons are made. l trust with be-
coming modesty.
Now as TO the county government: Our
EXCELLENT Governor, who is not only brave
and eloouent but practical states
man In his first message TO the Legis-
,a,,,re treated this subject very clearly.
THE county finances are in the hands
90 men responsible to the people. and
,hsv consult with and are advised by the
rson,e and they practice economy RI
ridly. SO far as have been able
The tax Is collected by treasurer.
and he is probably. IN the smafl coun-
tIes the poorest-paid officer In the State.
Let any one 20 into the Office OF the