Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-10
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 10, 1898.
CONFERENCE OF JUDGES.


The Dispatch has from day to day as
space would permit printed communca-
tons from correspondents in various parts
of the State bearing upon the vital issue
OF the hour-retrenchment and reform.
Publication of these communications, how
ever does not carry with it an endorse
ment of the suggestions they contain.
Many of the suggestions of some of our
correspondents as thrown out in letters
we have already published strike us as
impracticable; others. in our view. are
contrary to public policy, and no matter
how honestly conceived, would, we think,
If adopted. tend rather 10 retard than help
the cause of economy. The same we
would say regarding numerous commune
cations on the subject under discussion
we still have in hand and hope to be able
10 print as the crowded condition of our
columns will allow.
Ii would be impracticable for us to ana
lyze every retrenchment and reform con-
tributiOn that appears in our columns and
point out wherein we agree or disagree
With the author. But in our issue OF
4
ton headed "Judiciary-Deacit." which
gives some facts and figures and some
suggestions that TO our mind are especially
worthy Of emphasis.
The author. who has in the recent past
served the state in a highly honorable
capacity, and who has always been a
close student of public affairs. first calls
to ha
criminal charges on the Treasury since
1873. He next shows the great difference
In criminal expenses in various counties |
and sections of the State, producing |
figures 20 prove that these expenses are |
much heavier, in some instances, IN the |
sparsely settled than the more populous !
parts of the Commonwealth. From this |
exhibit he deduces the conclusion that |
there is evidently a great lack of uni
formity in the administration Of the laws, |
not only in the cost. but in the dispatch |
Of business" 1t is, however, ne adds, |
sin the power and is the duty of the |
judiciary. especially of the county courts, |
20 establish a uniform practice and en- |
forcement Of the laws throughout the |
of tie process Of the courts. It is their
duty 10 assume the entire responsibility !
Of conducting business with as much dis
patch as is compatible with the ends OF |
justice" He would, therefore, have the
judges of the State hold a conference to
the end of taking the matter under ad-
visement and correcting the evil. Such a
l,f hrli
practice of protecting the Treasury that
would contribute immensely toward bring
ing our criminal expenses down to what
they were in 1873.
We have the greatest confidence In the
ability and integrity OF the Virginia judi
ciary but none the less we are forced 10
recognize the justice OF our correspond
ents criticism. We are obliged 10 recog-
nize that taking our courts by ana
through business is not dispatched in
them with the CELEBRITY that ought to OBJ
tain, and hence they are in no small de-
gree responsible for the mounting up OF
our criminal expenses. The evils OF long,
drawn-out trials and Of postponements OF
cases. with the consequent piling up OF
costs. are not due 10 lazness or incom-
potency of the judges, but 10 a spirit OF
accommodation and a lack OF frmness
in dealing with the bar They are evils
that have steadily grown OF late years
The public have seen the necessity OF re-
form in this respect. and 10 that fact is
largely due the agitation Of the question
OF a change in our judicial system TO
that fact is due the demand which has
been made I'm some quarters for an
amendment TO the Constitution abolishing
the county courts. IL would. therefore,
seem TO follow that the friends OF the
present system Of courts could not do
better than consider carefully our CORE
spondents suggestion regarding a con- :
ference Of the judges Of the State There
could be 40 more thorough vindication OF
that system than the contribution TO the
reduction OF criminal expenses our cor /
respondent contends It is in the power I
OF the judges themselves TO make.