Arizona republican., 1901-10-08
INVESTIGATION DEMAND
Justice Burnett Addresses a Com
 munication to the Supervisors.

The board Of supervisors entered up on the business of the new quarter yesterday. The day was spent upon routine matters. the examination of accounts and reports and such current business as the auditing of claims. The routine was broken in the after noon by the presentation of a commun- icatiCn from Justice J. M. Burnett in relation to general criticisms which have been made and which have ap- peared in the public prints charging that irregularities existed in courts of justices e the peace by which fees had been improperly drawn from the county treasury. The communication was as follows:
 To the Board Of Supervisors, Maricopa
 County:
 Gentlemen: When open and public criticism is made regarding courts of justice, those in charge of such institu- tions by remaining silent furnish sub stance for further criticism, and corrcr borate wha of charges may be contained in such criticism.
 On the 9th of September the Arizon2 Republican publisned an editorial en- titled 'The Fee-Grabbing Nuisance calling upon this board to devise some means for the protection of the county treasury against being footed through the machinery of the criminal law l. calls attention to the change of venue evil" and "tne wholesale lodging of complaints for trivial misdemeanors by Irresponsible and fee-hungry con stables and deputy constables.
 The charges of this editorial apply only to the lCcal courts of justice, and, inasmuch as there are but two of these courts in this precinct and no distinc- ton is made, l submit, as the head of one of these courts, that l have rights in the matter which entitle me to de- mand that a showing be made that will result in my resignation or removal from office. or a verdict of acquittal. In other words, the taxpayers should be given knowledge to enable them to say whether such charges or such criti- cism can be applied to the procedure in the court over which I preside.
 With this end in view. I earnestly re- quest that this board do appoint a commission competent to examine and report upon the work of my court from the time of my induction into office to the present time.
 By way of suggestion to the board of supervisors, I submit that such an in vestigation as is requested by me should at least cover the following points:
 ISL Are the EtCpTdGI eases III lily docket consistent with the eases in the files?
 2nd. Are the charges in my quarter ly reports consistent with the entries in my docket?
 3rd. Do my books show that wit nesses have been subpOenaed in cases where plea of guilty has been entered?
 4th. Do my books show that wit nesses have been subpoenaed in cases where change of venue has been asked simultaneous with plea?
 5th. Do my books show any case against any person already under ar rest in the city recorders court?
 9th. Do my books show any case sent outside of the precinct on a change of venue?
 7th. Do my books or accounts show any instance of a charge against the county treasury not warranted legally and from every standpoint with com plete reason and cause therefor?
 Sth. Do my books or my docket show any kind Of Justification whatever?