The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-10
CHIEFS OF TEXAS POLICE.
The Matter of Police Court Juris.
diction Taken Up.
UNIONS VIEWS FULLY SET FORTH
In Resolution AdOpted-Justice
Courts should BE Given Jurisdic-
ton In MisdemeanOr Gases.

Waco, Texas, June 9.--The second day
essicn Of the City Marshals' and Chiefs
Police Union was called to order by Actinl
INLAND at 10 o'clock.
Roll call showed full attendance, an'
committee reports were called for.
The committee appointed to consider TN
luestion Of the Jurisdiction OF the cit
ourts reported as follows.
To the Officers and Members OF the
City Marshas' and Chiefs OF Police
Union Of Texas:
Gentlemen: Your committee appoint
ed to present the views of the conven-
ton on the jurisdiction of the city
courts would respectfully report as fol-
lows.
The recent decision of the court Of
criminal appeals in the Lizzie Knax
case has curtailed the jurisdiction OF
al mayors and recorders courts in the
state to such an extent as 10 greatly
hamper the administration of justice,
and 1t Is much to be regretted that the
two courts of last resort in our State
are so divided as 10 the intent of the
legislation in comforting jurisdiction.
The supreme court, in the case OF
Hanscom VS.. johnson, Chief Justice
Gaines delivering the opinion. held that
the legislature had authority to confer
Jurisdiction to try State cases to all
mayors and recorders courts, while
the court of criminal appeals in ma
jority opinion delivered by Judge Hen
derson, In the Knox case, Judge Hurt
dissenting), declared the opposite view.
II would seem that wherc four judges
80 - s,~ty - loG 10
proposition of law, and two disagree,
the better policy would be to accept
the view OF the majority. But the an
omaly is presented that two Judges
opinions can overcome the opinion of
four judges of concurrent jurisdiction.
How to remedy this state of affairs is
a question that has been agitat!ng the
mind of every one In the State con-
cerned in the administration of Justice.
The only remedy in the opinion OF your
committee. is TO call the attention of
the legislature to this matter in a me-
mortal and urge upon that body to
either abolish the court of criminal
appeals or allow an appeal from it's
decision 20 the supreme court, thus
having only one court of last resort in
the State.
This matter is one OF grave import
tc every lawyer in the state, and the
sooner the matter is agitated aad
brought to the attention Of the proper
authorities the scone: will there be
hnrmony between the judicial ani ex-
ecutive branches of the government.
AS the matter new stands. everything
Is In state Of chaos. and the people
de mand that the question oe deter
mined finally, enc way or tho other. by
a court of final hearing, with no court
having concurrent jurisdiction
Another question which should de-
mand the attention of the next legis-
lature is the comforting upon magis-
trates and justices OF the peace the
authority to try all misdemeanors, with
system OF Jury service as now pre-
walls in the county courts, and criminal
district courts. Thus would the ac-
cused be assured speedy trial. and
the State saved thousands of dollars
that are now expended in keeping and
feeding prisoners awaiting trial. In
some counties a person charged with
petty misdemeanor is compelled to lie
in jail as long, some times. as six
months, awaiting trial. and the keeping
and feeding of numerous cases of this
kind is burdsn that the taxpayers
should not be compelled to bear
Your committee trusts that these
questions will continue to be the sub
1ect of discussion in the State and es-
peciaiiy among the members of the
Union until finally our efforts are
crowned with success.
George Q. McCracken,
w. c.. Jones,
j. l.. Shanklin,
NJ. p. Waddell.
Committee
Chief Rea OF Fort Worth moved [
amend the report SO as to contine the de
mand for right Of appeal from the court q
criminal appeals to constitutional cues
lions and strike out the demand for tn
adjustment of the court of criminal an
peals.
Discussion of the report was suspende
whlle Secretary Kahn read letters iron
members unable to attend
Resumng discussion. McCracken of Gal
weston said the committee did not desir
that the court of criminal appeals be abol
ished. but II that court must continue L
mix up the criminal laws and befuddl
the minds OF peace officers, it was higl
time 1t were abolished. The commtte
simply wanted the jurisdiction Of the cour
or criminal appeals circumscribed so tina
US jurisdiction shall not be concurrent Wit
the supreme court.
Chitf Reas amendment was agreed I,
unanimously, and the report was adopted
The committee on pawn shops and secon,
hand dealers recommended that a commit
Tee be appointed TO procure the passage q
a law similar to the ordinance of the cit
OF Kansas City. Mo. regulating pawn shops
The report was adopted.
me committee on burglary reported 1
iaVor or law making HOUSEKEEPING a can
ltal onense. The report was adopted.
The auditing committee reported the SEQ
retary's books true and correct.
me death benefit clauses In the consti
tuition were repealed. but the assessment o.
account OF the death OF Chief Arnold of Dal
las must be paid, and the secretary Is au
thorized to draw on delinquents for S. eact
the amount OF the assessment.
TIE following officers were elected: Pres
ident, W. M. Rea of Wort Worth; vice pres
ldents, NJ. J. INLAND of Corpus Christi. ]
T. Shanklin OF Paris. Walter C. Jones G
Galveston In the order named; Maurice {
Kahn was reelected secretary and trea
urer by acelamstion; executive committee
Jones, Conwell and Rowland: delegates, I
me National convention. Shank,iu an
Jones alternates, INLAND and CriswsIl. Dial
las was selected as tho next place OF NEE;
Ing and the convention adjourned
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS