The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-01-31
NOT WORTH 4 Fight.
Hudson County j. Ps. Will Not
Oppose the Bill to Take At
taehment Jurisdiction
From Them.

Ii is not likely that the Justices OF the
Peace of Hudson county will make any
concerted or even individual effort 10
prevent the passage of the bill to further
limit their powers and jurisdiction. a
talk with several of the most prominent
Justices yesterday developed the fact that
the fees allowed under the present law
amount to so little that they are not
worth making a fight over. The most
prominent justices are in other lines OF
paying business, and frequently ADMIT
that many of the small justices have
brought the office into disrepute. None OF
those talked with yesterday had heard OF
any proposition to join forces with the
Essex county justices, who, it is said, will
make an effort to nave the bill defeated.
Justice of the Peace Winfield S. Weed,
who has been a justice probably as long,
if not longer than any other justice in the
tcounty, had a talk with Marshal Van VIM
kle, a few days ago, during which he ad-
vanced the proposition that a law be
passed compelling justices of the peace al
ter being elected, tp pass an examination
relative to their fitness before their COM
missions shall be issued. This he did not
i consider unconstitutional. The office can
( not be utterly abolished at this session OF
the Legislature, as it was established by
the Constitution.
so far as 1 know said Justice Weed.
"the proposed bill, so far as the Hudson
county justices are concerned, will be al
| lowed to go through by default. We IN
| cities of the first and second class are not
| allowed to try civil cases under the pres
emit law. The proposed law will rob us of
| issuing warrants for attachments, but the
| income from this source is not worth
making a fight over. All we will be able
to do under the new law will be to take
| monies"
Justice Weed acknowledged that his
office had been greatly abused by ignorant
| and INSCRIPTIONS justices.
Justice of the Peace William Macs, an
| other prominent Jersey City justice, said
| he knew of no combined effort being made
| to defeat the passage of the proposed bill,
| and said lie certainly would make no in
| dividual effort in hat direction. Like
| Justice of the Peace Weed, he considered
| the legitimate proceeds of the office under
the present law were not worth hghting
for. - ro,asos 10
| take from us all jurisdiction in attach-
| ment eases. and vest in the District
Courts. This same bill was introduced
| and was Killed WITHOUT dny SPOSio
| on the part of justices being dlfecleu
| against it. 1t will work badly in one way.
| Ii will be disadvantageousto people VINO
! wish to attach the property OF genuine
| skins and fakirs.' When one OF THESE
wants to skin OUT he doesn't generally
| advertice the fact, nor does. he make open
| preparations, in the day time especlaIis.
The Districts Courts are open from Ter
4 M. to four P. NJ, and on saturdays
thew close at twelve NJ. If justices OF tne
| peace are not allowed to issue warrants
| for attachments fraudulent creditors VIII
| have things pretty much their own way.
| But so far as we are concerned the pro-
| ceeds from this source are not worm
| making a fuss about. Besides, we are Oh
| ten annoyed by people VINO want TINS or
that PERSONS property attached ana peo-
ple arrested over some trlfiing dept tnas
| does, not come within our jurisdiction. u
course this phase of the matter gives OPP
| nortunity to dishonest justices TO secure
| fees to which they are not entitled,
thus bring the office into d~isrepute:
II don't suppose that any Of the JUSTICES
| of the peace of this city or OF Hoboken, IN
| both of which cities are located District
| Courts. where even under the present law
| they cannot try civil cases, -wiiFmake any
effort against the proposed law. AS to
what the justices in the outlying dlstrlcts
| may do, i nave nc knowledge, put, It's
| hardly probable that they could AFFORD TO
| make a very strong opposition against It.