The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-04

"A precinct for every Justice. and every
justice IN his own precinct"
THIS parapArase on an old maxim viii be
we'll instilled into the minds OF the Seattle
delegation 70 tho next legislature by the
bar OF King county hefors the Solons
gather In Olympia. in january. Lawyers
say that into the practice Of the justice OF
the peace courts abuses have erept that
not only work hardsAps and injustice up-n
ntigants. but upon the taxpayers OF the
county as Well Changes In the present law
are needed.
The principal reform they will
advocate Is that no justice shall
assume Jurisdiction over defend-
ants residing without his own
precinct.
Little by little the abuses complained OF.
for which defective laws are primarily re-
sponsible, have grown and multiplied. until
now 1t is no exaggeration TO say that tho
justice court practice of Seattle smells TO
heaven. The unvarnished narratives OF
lawyers who are familiar with the facts
regarding II sound like burlesque. so inn
probable do they appear. From tribunals
of plain and speedy Justice. they say. the
courts OF certain justices have become rath.
er forums of injustice and speedy spoliatlon.
If the worst Of the tales told
are true, there are Justice courts
in the near vicinity of the city I'm
which the trial In buf . form and
the plaintiff practically hts own
Judge and jury-a situation
worthy of the comic opera stage.
The little rift In the lutte" was a pro-
vision in the law establishing these courts
mot of record that while the fees or all
justices should be uniform. those collected
by the country Justices should be retained
by them IN lieu OF salary. while their
brothers in cities OF the first class should
receive fat salary and turn all fees into
the treasury OF the county. The law was
well intended, hnt. like many others. work.
ell well only IN theory. The idea was that
in tho case OF the country justices, having
but little business 1t would be extrava.
CANT TO pay salaries: in the case OF tho
city justices It would be equally extrava-
CANT TO allow them 10 retain the large fees
their offices would probably earn. II was
a wise and economical plan on It's face.
The country justice wns tn do
little work and get pay I'm pro-
portion by fees, while the city
justice was TO do much work and
to he paid only n reasonable pro-
portion Of his fee earnings.
For a time the system worked well Four
or five years ago the two Seattle justices
were kept busy. and the revenues from
their courts helped the county nightly.
for the fees In justice courts are by no
means nominal. Then some shrewd lawyer
discovered that there was nothing In the
law which would prevent him from suing
a debtor In one OF the justice courts Just
outside the city limits.
The Justice. being accountable
only "a himself, could collect his
fees in advance, or not, just as he
chose, rouid make them rea-
sonabfe as suited his fancy, oP
could even waive them alto
Eether.
From this time on the decadence WIS
rapid. Inscriptions collection lawyers
came 10 regular understanding each win
his favorite outside justice, and brought
suits AGAINST persons residing anywhere In
the county before THAI justice. With tho
agreement that no fees were 10 be paid un-
III the settlement of the suit The arrange-
ment was not unlawful, and apparently
has some vers good features. One. for es-
amnle. that a poar man, having a igst
clam. was not compelled 10 pay out money
untn the claim was collected. The only
logical objection was from the defendants
30 sued, who naturally objected 20 being
forces! to go out Of ths city 10 fight suit.
ard from the defenfanfs' lawyers. who
objected st.A more strenuously IL 5sinS