The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-12-28
COUNTY SEAT AFFAIRS.


Pottsville, Dec 2s.-Through its executive
officer, w. L. Sheafer, The Taxpayers As.
socatiOn has addressed an open letter to
District Attorney-eect Cumming, pointing
out to him means by which he may be en-
abled to reduce the expenses of the District
Attorneys office when he takes possession.
Mr.. Sheafer says in the letter that the
figures he furnishes are compiled from the
records of the Clerk of the Courts office and
will bear full inspection, and adds while
the number of cases returned has more than
doubled, increasing from ss4 in 1887 to 2, 200
in 1898, and averaging 1,O56 the first six
years, and !, 754 during the last six years it
will be noticed that the jury trials
have not increased in any such proportion.
being 2d4 in 1887 and 27l in 1898, or averag-
ing the six years, 1ss7-ls92, 22s cases and
ls9S-ls9s 342 cases. There is no doubt that
this is the principal work of the office and il
is interesting, at least to note that in 1895
the District Attorney with three assistants
and one clerk tried about the same number
of cases that were tried in 1887 by the Dis
trict Attorney and two assistants, and less
than have been tried for any one year since
1850. Look at the number of indictments
presented to the Grand Jury. In 1883, GA .
as many indictments were drawn when the
number of cases was 1867 as are now drawn
when the total number of cases is 2OOO The
comparison ia nearly rs bad when any other
year ia taken"
! Mr. Sheafer delves into figures bearing
upon mol pressed cases and pOintedly saws
1T may not be final that 472 cases will remain
undisposed OF this year, for at least 300 Of
these should be and probably will be no
pressed, but for some reason they are no
and we have waited until the last week O
court for final returns. If they are 'no
pressed, it will only add to the large numbe
already mol pressed for the year and brina
its total above any other year
The next subject of expense taken up i,
that bearing upon fees for Justices, ,Constables
Jurors and Witnesses, and Mr.. Sheafer com
ments upon the fact that out of 2,OOO case.
returned to court, over one-half are mo-
pressed aud in a5 per cent, of these the
! county pays the costs. He says there is n,
doubt that many of the cases returned by the
justices are of a trivial nature and should be
| disposed of in such a way as to i'm
pose the least cost ON the county
aud tu ther saving may be made il
constable's costs if proper Investigation i
! maui III All suCu GASES DeiOre sending Ou
subpoenas. In conclusion, Mr.. Sheafer saw
| that some different system should be adopted
in preparing and laying out the work for the
court so that indiscriminate issuing o.
capiases may be stopped and parties may b,
brought into court when wanted
Following upon the heels of the reports Of
quo warranto proceedings against Coroner
elect Bleier comes the announcement that
Charles A. Snyder Esq, has been retained tC
institute similar proceedings against Pooi
Director-elect John f. Horgan, should ht
qualify to take the office. 1t is stated thai
Mr.. Horgan will be charged with makins
ante-election promises, but your correspon
dent learned this afternoon that the aver
mcnts for the custer will relate to the natural
ization papers of Horgans father. 1t il
claimed they are defective. One of the de
fects is said to be the spelling of the name
In the papers the fathers name was spelled
"Horigan," whereas the Poor Drector-elec
spells II "Horgan." 1t is said Mahanoy Cit,
and Shenandoah parties are the instigators 0
the movement among the number being NJ
j. Leahy, who was an applicant for tn
Stewardship at the almshOuse,