The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-01

smoothly in this temple of justice The
city officers claim that the revenues of
the city are being gradually redu"ed until
they are scarcely more than half of what
they were two and three years ago.
The greatest trouble seems to exist be-
tween the police justice and the police
force. They &c not work in unison and
the officers claim that they are sometimes
severely reprimanded and without cause.
On the other hand the police justice may
claim that the reduction in business is
due to his efficient management. and to
the decrease in crime.
1t Is becoming IL common thing for the
chief of police to appeal to the mayor to
assist in enforcing the ordinances as
handed down by the City Council. The
officers claim that under the existing
conditions they have at least third
more work to do, and it is stated by some
of them who hold high positions that.the
dispensation OF justice in the city has be-
come farce. This complaint with others
has been laid before Mayor Andrews and
he is preparing to take some action in the
matter along with others which have
been brought to his attention
The chief of police made the statement
yesterday that the receipts of the police
court for the months OF July and Au-
gust, and the latter especially, are
usually much larger than for other
months during tue year. An eXamina-
ton of the books show that the amount
collected during four weeks in July was
S203. 40 and in August %11S.25. being II
little more than hall the amount usually
collected. The books also show that dur
ing July fines were assessed in the alb
sence OF the violators of the city ordi-
nances amounting 10 $50. Two fiues, ag-
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amount, has been paid. The balance
stands with no steps being taken to col
lect it. During the-month of August
the fines assessed in the same way
amounted to $63.50, not dollar of which
has been collected and no effort has been
made to get it. This in large measure
accounts for the shortage in collections.
Inc chief OF police stated to Times
reporter yesterday that he had on differ
ent occasions requested the police justice
to furnish him with capiases in order
that the fning OF a man in his absence
might become n source of revenue to the
city. The proper papers have not been
issued. Some people question the valid
lily OF trying man without giving him
an opportunity to make defense, and as
Il consequence the fines, properly speak.
ing, are uncollectable.
about by the refusal of the police Justice
to issue warrants for violations of the
city ordinances, but he issues instead. IL
formal summons and the offender is left
to act according to his own pleasure as to
appearing before the court. In many in
stances the summons is disregarded and
the fire assessed without giving the party
AN opportunity to defend .himself Then
the matter is dropped by the amount of
line being charged to the offender. AS no
steps are taken to collect it. the presump-
ton is that only small percentage pay
of their own accord
The matter which has provoked 10
much dissension among the officers at
present is the question of collecting de-
linquent dog taxes The recent dog tax
laws governing the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1898, are as follows:
"And he it further ordained, That
there shall be levied for each year tax
OF one dollar on each dog and three dollars
on each bitch, owned or kept within the
corporate limits of the city not prorated.
Any person who shall fail to report,
or any person keeping dog or bitch
within the city without the payment of
the tux thereon as herein required, shall
subject the cwner of such dog or bitch,
or the person keeping the same, to fine
oil S2.5O for each dog and 50 for each
bitch,so not reported or so illegally kept,
In addition to the penalties hereinafter
prescribed.
1T shall be the duty of the mayor of
this city to enforce the collection OF the
dog tax imposed by this ordinance"
1t seems that Mayor Andrews in COM
pllance with the above ordinance went to
work to enforce the law and the police.
men were detailed to do special duty in
the way OF house to house canvas to
ascertain where dog owners had complied
with the law. AS result during the
month of August IA people were sum
moned before the court. Seventy seven
paid the tax and were dismissed.
Mr.. u. G Buckner decided to make a
test case of the matter and with his at
torney fought the ordinance in the police
court, and as consequence the police
justice held that while the dog was liable
TO the tax yet Mr.. Buckne, was not liza
bile TO fine end in case of the imposition
of the fine he could not be imprisoned for
the non payment of it.
AS the matter stands Mr.. Buckner was
not fined, and the city is thrown on the
defensive of testing the validity of one of
Its own laws. The matter ut once re-
solved itself down to the utter imrracti
cability of the mayor or police force fur.
ther attempting to enforce delinuuents to
pay.
The matter was at once reported TO
Mayor Andrews and hevvintends to push
in to focus. He was seen Yesterday bv
Times reporter and he stated that he
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