Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-07-24
SAVES THOUSANDS TO COUNTY.
Prosecuting Attorney Clute Gives
the Tramp Industry In Ionia
City "A Black Eve.

The semi-annual report of Prosecut-
ing Attorney VIM X. Clute To the at
torney general for the six months
ending June 30, 1902, is out, showing
conc clusively the great change that
has been brought about. According
to the report there were over $500
of claims in 1900 against the county
on tramp cases, while the last year
to June 30 there were only 5000 Also
that in two and a half years the rec
ords show 300 cases prosecuted in
the city courts and less than 40 out
side.
During the six months ending June
30, there were prosecuted l30 cases,
of which there were 90 convictions
and 10 acquittals One case was dis
missed, seven discharged on eXamina-
tion and IA settled or discharged be-
fore trial. OF the 130 cases listed, %
were for assault and battery, %
breaches of the peace, Is drunks, s
burglary, disorderlies, l3 vagrancy,
IA larceny of various phases, 5 truan-
cy, violation of liquor law, and the
balance for various offences
In the course of his report Mr.. Clute
remarks: January "a, 1901, special
act applying to Ionia county was APP
proved by the governor, defining the
duties of justices of the peace in Ionia
county in certain cases and TO regu-
late the fees therein.
1t provides i'm substance that no
warrant for drunk or disorderly
person should be issued by Justice of
the peace of this county without an
order therefore endorsed on the COM
plaint by the prosecuting attorney,
and that if warrant did issue with
out such order the justice issuing and
the officer serving the warrant should
forfeit all fees. The mischief sought
to be remedied by this act has all
centered in the city of Ionia, and to
show such to be the case | have gone
through the magistrates reports of
lonia county from January |, 1900,
down to date, to ascertain In what
courts such cases originated. For the
last two years and half the total
number prosecuted in the city of Ionia
| Justice courts were 1885 cases, and
those outside the city of Ionia cover
ing all the rest of the county were 33,
and the total claims which have been
already made or are likely to be made
against the county for these cases
prosecuted in the city of Ionia foot
up Sl2, ,5l6. A, while the total for the
cases outside of the city of Ionia for
the same period is $l6l. .2S.
Believing therefore, that from the
standpoint of public equity in the ad-
ministration of the criminal law re-
lating TO such petty offences as these
classes of offenders are charged with,
the county at large was fairly and
| Justly entitled TO all the relief could
oflicially give it, looking to the abate-
ment of this traffic in Ionia city, and
after consultation with your depart
ment, informed the sheriff of the
county and the mayor, marshal and
nightwatches of Ionia city, that
should order no warrants in Ionia city
inasmuch as they could be prosecuted
under and by virtue of the charter
and ordinances of the city of lonia.
This position on my part seemed to
be justified by the facts, and a viola
tion of no discretion on my part. but
in harmony with the Just rights of the
people. The city of Ionia has char
ter which provides that the common
council has power "to pass bylaws
and ordinances TO punish drunkards
vagrants, mendicants, street beggars
and persons soliciting aims" The
justices of Ionia city have jurisdiction
I under the ordinances they now have
or may pass, and the mayor and the
police of the city are specially en-
joined by the charter to enforce these
provisions, thus giving the public In
the city of Ionia an adequate remedy
for the suppression of drunkenness
and petty disorderlies on the streets
which the local officers of the city car
enforce.
: If the supreme court holds valid the
special act applying TO Ionia county
it will go long way In holding dowr
/ l.. Al