The age-herald., 1900-07-22

other than Birmingham, I should be guilty of misdemeanor, as for, instance, gaming or carrying concealed weapons, I would be subject to arrest and a fine imposed by the police court of such town, and in addition thereto I would be subject to arrest and fine imposed by the criminal court of Jeff ferson County, but if I commit the same act in the city of Birmingham and the po- lice court imposes fine that would end the matter and the criminal court could not touch me. Should the same act done in Avondale be any greater offence against the peace and dignity of the State of Ala bama than if done in Birmingham? Should the State law be any severer upon the citizen of Avondale than the citizen of Bir- mingham? Should such favoritism be shown the offenders in Birmingham? Should such premium be put upon offend- ing within the limits of Birmingham? Rather should it be, equal and exact jus tice to all, special favors to none.
 But you may say that Judge Greene has enough to do matters now stand. I grant you that he is hard worked official, and that the growth of the county in- creases his work. But we had better work him still harder than that the law should be bunglingly, imperfectly and unovenly administered and business interests dis turbed by the police endeavoring to do a grand jurys work in addition to their regular duties. But you may say that the volume of business Is already so great that Judge Greene may work ever so hard and yet justice will not be speedily administer ed; the accused will have to lie in jail awaiting trial, and that the laws delays encourage its violation. I grant you that, but if one judge can not speedily adminis- ter justice, two might. But that calls for another officer to be paid out of our taxes Yes, and out of our taxes the board of the prisoner is paid while the prisoner suffers Il11
 our taxes. If you will get the data and make the calculation you will find that two dollars will be saved on the prisoners board account for every dollar paid the ad- ditional judge. It costs more to board twenty-four prisoners than it would to pay an additional judge. True, that would re- duce the profits the sheriff makes out of the jail, and. with speedy trials, the clerk would not get to reissue the subpoenas so often nor the sheriff to serve them, in cident to the continuing and resetting of each case, but justice should not be delayed for the accumulation of officers fees. The court should not be kept behind with it's docket for the purpose of forcing continu- ances.
 Speedily and evenly administered justice is desirable for additional reasons than those of mere economy. Quick trials are great preventatives The grand jury, in keeping with the spirit and regular con- struction of our institutions, could exercise its inquisitorial powers and present charges against offenders and the law be evenly administered. The burdens of the police would be frightened, there would be less necessity for raids and no need to dis turb business by keeping tab on those go- ing and coming.
 Let us have no false economy. Let us not be penny wise and pound foolish," but let us deal with the situation in practical and orderly manner, with no spirit of per- secution or over righteousness, but with absolute fairness. w. w. EVE