Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-03
THE RURAL JUSTICE.
SOMETHING OF THEIR COURTS AND
THEIR DECISIONS.
He IS A PROMINENT CHARACTER.
The Nefghborhood's Representative
of the Majesty OF the Lnw-stcrics
OF His Wisdom md Honcsty-Type
OF n Fine Glass.
OF n Fine Glass

of His Wisdom and Honcsty-Type
OF n Fine Glass.
Many OF the most picturesque scenes
which may be observed In Virginia to-
day are those attending the holding Of
Justices courts in the rural districts.
One sees at these tribunals a phase, or
phases. Of country life seen under no other
circumstances, and never suspected to
exist. There IL about everything connect
ed with these "warrant-tryings," as they
are called, a suggestion Of the old days
that is delicious. Just as there is in the
laws of this country, and especially OF
Virginia, much that bears the stamp Of
that which in America IS termed an
tiquity. so in the scenes at the courts OF
county magistrates there is much be-
longing TO an earlier time.
USED TO BE a LANDOWNER.
For years it was the tradition that the
magistrate must be a land-holder. Pos
sibly it was the law. He was the most
prominent man in the neighborhood. lie
served without pay. The honor attach
ing TO the Office was supposed TO be a
sufficient emOlument also. He was re-
garded by reason OF his position as man
10 be looked up 10, and worthy Of the
highest respect of his neighbors lie was
called Squire" one term as magis-
trate was sufficient to affx the title of
Squire to his name till he went to his
grave at threescore and ten.
The Virginia magistrate Of to-day Is a
different parsonage. lie IS not always
landowner. He must not. Of necessity
DO an elderly man. lie need not
be a man Of great. prominence. lie need
not have wealth. But the records show
that in the main Virginia justices much
be men Of character and sense. Their
decisions when reviewed by higher
courts prove that they are this. The jus
ice may be only a plain farmer, but
when the learned judge goes TO examine
his decisions for errors he finds the
warp and the wool Of justice and right
ali there.
SATURDAY HIS COURT-DAY.
The country justice generally hears
cases on Saturday afternoons. He sits at
the store or the schOOi-hOuse sometimes
at his home. The district constable is his
only court officer, the third borough"
In Virginia to-day he is sheriff. clerk,
crier. and tipstan. all in one.
The sittings Of the justice arc fire.
quently attended b. large crowds. Indeed,
ne generally has a good audience. If the
case involves points Of much interest the
crowd Is always large \ scandal which
gets into the magistrates court is GER
tain 10 be aired before a large audience
As a rule the fair sex does not attend
justices trials. Occa sionally a case has
in it points which are Irresistible 10 the
women.
An audience Of men may always be
counted upon. In every neighhorhood are
found men and boys who are inveterate
habitues OF the courts OF the dlslIlct mas
istr,,tes. The contentious OF their nelSh-
bors have for them an attraction not 10
be resisted.
The procedure OF the courts Of the jus
tlces make Blackstone turn over i'm his
crave every day i'm the year. Probably
the author OF Stephens's Common Law
Pleading has his rest i'm the other world
most disturbed. Every man has more
ar less correct idea Of the method OF pro-
cedure I'm court, save as TO questions OF
pleading That to him is a sealed book.
II is so to the average magistrate. buI
Il must be said that disregard or the
rules Of pleading does not appear In the
main TO affect the business OF ms uecls-
IONS. however much il may delay the
business Of the court
LEARNS TO BE 4 LAWYER.
But however little the country justice
of the peace may understand the rules
of nleadine. he does come to have a
head pretty full of law. The Virginia
Ccde he learns TO know from cover TO
cover. and that is saying great deal.
Indeed. there are many not lawyers
I'm almost every neighborhood. VINO learn
much law by reason Of the frequent APP
meals they make to Il. Nearly every SAT
iirdo, I'm the year they have neighhor
hailed before the MAGISTRATE. ne WI W.
of If ifs men of this character geheraHy
win their cases-they won't sue unless
tbe, are pretty sure Of the laws being
on their side.
LAWYERS did not in former years prac-
flee much I'm the magistrates courts OF
Virginia but latterly they frequently do
so. In the days before the war u was
only in cases Of extreme importance thaI
tho parties 10 a suit before q MAGISTRATE
were represented by counsel Inc APP
pearance Of a lawyer in justice court
was sure to cause much tax IN the
neiphborhood. Frequently these counsel
Tors evidenced contempt for the country
Justice and his rulings, afl many stories
are told illustrative OF tie real, or I'M
agined. superiority Of the town lawyer.
Ii IS said that in certain virginia
county years ago. a lawyer from the
Courthouse was acting as counsel In
case before a country magistrate whose
rulings were all against the attorney as
well as elaringiy erroneous. The lawyer
stood II for time. but finally, when the
Justice had decided against him on a
number of points, his forbearance yielded
This Court would 90 10 HI for a peek
of beans" he said impatently.
''Fined $50 for contempt OF court SAID
the Justice.
The young lawyer, to whom 800 repre-
scented probably a months collections
respectfully demurred 70 the imposition
Of the fine. and finally tho Court agreed
10 remit it, provided he would apologize.
"AIav 1t please your Honor" said tho
LAWYER. Il do most respectfully apoio-
gize and take back the offensive remark
/ take back what l said about this court
going TO HI for a peck Of beans, Dut
had l made it half-bushel / would nave
died before taking IL back"
The Court decided the apology satls-
factory. since the lawyer had not SAID
the larger quantity would have been SUI
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