The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-25
A COUNTRY 'SQUIRES COURT.
SPECIMENS OF THE PECULIAR
METHODS WHICH SOME EMPLOY.

METHODS WHICH SOME EMPLOY.
Embarrassing Mistakes Made by
New justices of the Peace-HOw "A
Careful and Prudent Magistrate
VIII Avoid Serious BIunders-HOVv
One of Them Was Successfully
Handled by IA Shrewd Lawyer.
From the Baltimore American.
The new county justice of the peace, or
squire. as he is better known, if he is
not a lawyer or with considerable expert
ence in the Office of a magistrate. either
as that funotionary, as a constable or as
an attentive spectator, is apt to make
mistakes which are very embarrassing to
himself, as well as to those who are in
terested in the particular case in which
these mistakes are made.
Several ludicrous incidents recently in
the counties, for which the 'squires are
responsible, make the subject of unusual
interest at this time.
The prudent and careful squire, how
ever, even if he is new at the business,
generally avoids serious blunders by de-
Willis any dNiAOA AtC may nav III WI
temptation. when he does not see his way
clear, until he consults with the states at
torney or seeks the advice of an expert
enced justice of the peace whose reputa-
ton is already established.
The 'squires who feels all the Importance
which the Office should possess, and be-
lieves that it is not becoming his dignity
To he Oh Of otH hi1f To plx
solely upon his own good judgment, is the
magistrate who brings ridicule upon him.
self and furnishes a great deal of amuse-
ment to on-lookers. He is the man whom
a shrewd lawyer would elect to try his
case because the lawyer knows just how
to handle him.
There is another class of magistrates
who, apparently, care very little whether
they administer the law properly and
whose sole aim is to get as much money
out of the Office as possible. Years ago
some Baltimore county squires, assisted
by their constables and some times by the
police, resorted to numerous schemes by
which to make money. The business OF
the constable was to go out and drum
up business, and in the village of WaV-
erly, which was formerly in Baltimore
county there was a magistrate who on
one day issued very large number of
warrants for persons who, it was after
ward claimed, had committed no offense.
At the hearings the magistrate, having
endeavored IN an impressive manner, to
convince the prisoners that they had COM
mtted some great crime, sought to make
them believe that he was their friend, and
would dismiss them. provided they prom
ised never to be guilty of a like offenSe
again, and provided, further, that they
pay the costs. The costs were promptly
paid, and the men left the Office under
the impression that they had gotten of
easily.
The county squire who believes that he
knows it all' is the man in whose office
amusing scenes most frequently occur.
Not long since one of these magistrates
was holding court in a country village,
where two neighbors had a difficulty
which resulted in a fight. The man who
had evidently been wronged, and who had
been badly beaten by his enemy, sought
redress at the hands of the magistrate.
The other fellow, recognizing the fact that
he was in the wrong, and that the odds
were against him, because he numbered
the village magistrate among his enemies.
and because the village magistrate knew
it, came to the city and employed a bright
young lawyer.
When the lawyer and his client appeared
at the 'squire's office on the day set for
the trial they were received in a very
chilly manner by the court Previously,
the other man had recited his wrongs to
the magistrate, and, from remarks made
by that official, it was apparent that he
was in sympathy with the prosecuting
witness, and had gone so far as to say
that he mad already determined to send
the traverser to the House of Correction
for six months.
In a pompous manner the squire an
nounced that the court was ready to hear
the case. The injured man stated his
case. When he had done the squire called
one of the witnesses, but the attorney for
the prisoner desired TO ask the prosecuting
witness several questions.
Make your questions brief and to the
point" said the squire
The lawyers interrogatories were neither
brief nor exactly to the point-at least, SO
the squire ruled-and the prisoners coun-
sci was told finally that he could ask no
more questions. The lawyer then clothed
himself in a brand new suit of timdty,
and apparently gave up all hope of clear
ing his client He did not question any
more witnesses, neither did he put his
client on the stand.
The squire then opened his code and
read the law in the case and the penalty
attached. Then the lawyer arose and
made a brief speech, which began some
thing like this: your Honor-I recognize
the fact that you are as familiar with the