Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-06
Co,ryTy COURT SYSTEM.

r, .as,,,, ., thu debate In the Virginia
par Association upon the question Vi
ronodelIine our court system WIS ''"s
a resolution was adopted sugges''he ''
,ho several counties be grouped together
and a county judge elected ior cav"
group. ,o,o-o
This proposition has been made peio'e'
h,,. baa never been much favored De-
cause II was believed IL would no, e"e''
tho economy that is desired.
OF course. tho judge who Is expected
10 hold courts in three or four counties
instead of in one would earn ana expect
moro nay. He would DO three or four
times as much work as he is now COINS
and would be entirely cut of from inc
private practice that he now has.
I: would. therefore DO but reasonable
that he should DO paid a much larger
SALARY than he now receives. But IL may
be argued that tho grouping OF couhues'
and the increase OF salaries wouiu re-
suit in our States getting better mateii"i
for county judges. Doubtless TINS eNpee-
tatIon would be realized in some
measure. but II happens that Just no"
our people are more bent upon saving
money than upon getting better quail
fed judges.
As a rule the county Judges are giving
| satisfaction, so far as their work goes
The complaint is not so much against
them. as that the Virginia judiciary sys-
tenn is cumbrous and costly The cum
brousness OF IT would not be at all re-
lieved by the grouping process. 10 what
extent the costliness OF it would be re-
Iieved. there is room for much difference
! OF opinion.
Tho average judge we think could not
serve more than three counties-that IS
| If monthly terms OF tho county courts
are to be continued-and he would ex-
pect at least twice as much pay as he
now receives. II so, the saving would be
small, for remember mileage would have
TO DO allowed.
Our respect for the wisdom and pru-
dence of the gentlemen who favor this
scheme is great, but we must say that
their point OF view is different from that
of the general public. The average tax
payer is looking TO see how taxes may
be reduced. And unless the grouping
system would save a good deal Of money,
IL would not be- regarded with popular
favof.
Moreover. If the hoped-for economical
reforms in our State Government cannot
be effected by the Legislature, there will
be renewed demand for a constitutional
convention.
The convention scheme was only de-
feated last spring, because of the Oft
repeated argument that the Legislature
could and would prepare and submit to
| tho voters such constitutional amend
ments and do such other things, as
would retrench public expenses to a
figure which would make it easy for
| Virginia to pay per cent. interest upon
| her Century bonds without in
| creasing the tax rate Every effort at
retrenchment should, therefore. have that
end in view, and If that end be
not reached. tho constitutional convention
scheme will loom up again and in more
| formidable proportions than ever before.
Being anxious to avoid the necessity for
a convention, we earnestly hope the
Legislature will fulfil every public ex-
pectation with respect to measures of
economy.
And so we say. If the grouping plan
is the best thing that can be done to re-
duce the cost of our judiciary system it
ought to be adopted; but if it fails in
that direction, it will not be what the
people are looking for.