Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-22
PAY 0MAGIsTRATES
PLEA FOR xN ITEM IN THE DE-
>. EAEE&NCx 64L1A.y--
! Appropriations. aEade for but Two
!, - Thirds ofssalary Allowed
ii - by Law:
,r3r-rT

Messrs CsIC. cSle and Henry E. Davis
have written to tie District Commissioners
on behalf of the ten justices of the peace
at present 1T offfee in the District asking
that an appropriation, Of 10000 be included
in the deicieneYssbiR to pay the justices
each an additional 81, GEO on their salaries
for the current fiscal year. The code of
law hxed the salaries Of the justices at
5000 q year, but the appropriation bill for
the present years4carried only $1,000 for
each.
1--WE notice with qualification" say the
attorneys for the justices, that in your
estimates of appropriations for the fiscal
year Commencing @ulyz1 1889. you have in
cluded salaries for tan justices of the peace
at $s.oV0 per anh,lIn each, and $25O each
additional for expenses, as provided by the
code OF the District which went into force
on the first day of january. 1902. We beg
tofcah attention to the fact that the appro-
priatton bill for the fiscal year beginning
July I, 1902. CARRIED an appropriation OF
only 1000 per year for the said justices, IN
stead of $1,000 as provided IN the code.
There is, therefore, deficiency of 10000
IN this item for the present fiscal year. We
are informed that the Commissioners will
soon send In an estimate to cover the de-
fciencies for said year, and We request on
behalf of the justices that this item Of &c.,
600 may be included in your list of dehcien-
cieS
Regarded as Simple Justice.
I'VE think thatAit Is only simple Justice
that these men be paid the salaries pro-
vfded In the CODE. They were appointed
and accepted the offices after the code was
enacted and under the promise and induce
ment then held out to them by Congress
that such salaries would be paid. 1t would
be very unjust now for Congress to decline
to pay them the promised salary. In this
connection it may be added that salary
OF $1,000 per annum for such services as
DIRE required by law of these men Is small
properly qualified for such duties could be
procured for less. The failure OF Con-
gress to appropriate In accordance with the
provisions of the code would have ten
dency to produce an abandonment of the
present system and a resumption of the
pernicious fee system that existed prior to
the enactment Of the code. That system
had a tendency not only to increase utiga-
ton, but also to make the Justices advo-
Gates. when they should have been with
out temptation OF bias or Partially. During
the last year of the fee system there were
brought before justices OF the peace 24524
suits or actions, while for eleven months
under the present system the total number
of cases Is 1866, decrease OF about 40
per cent.
1.-The justices Of the peace under the code
that they had for several years prior
thereto. This showing needs no common
tary to show that the present system Is
| much more for the public advantage than
the old one was, and the difference in the
number of suits is to be accounted for by
the fact that under the old system it was
for the interest of the justice to multiply
litigation, while there is no such induce
| ment in the present one.
Advantages, of Present Law.
1--WE hope and believe you will see the
| advantages Of the present law over the old
and that you will use your influence to in
duce Congress to keep UP the appropria-
tons as provided in the code upon this
| subject. Welneed not remind you that the
CODE; and especially this provision of 1t,
was thoroughly considered by the courts,
| the bar, the business men and the Com
| missioners Of the District of Columbia. as
| well as by the committees of Congress In
| deed, 1t is wel1-known fact that this par
| ticular provision in relation to the justices
| Of the peace receiyed more attention frtm
| the committees OF Congress than any ether
| single chapter in the code. law adopted
after such consideration and deliberaticn
ought not to be lightly abandoned"