The Washington times., 1904-09-27
MAGISTRATES Courts Needed.

Worzmen will soon be engaged III
razing the present Police Court Build
ing and the old Webster Law Build |
ing, next door, in order that one OF
the most discreditable public struc-
lures in the United States may give
way to one more nearly in conform
ity with the dignity Of Washington
and the nation whose capital it is.
The city looks on in suspicion that it
is all too good to be true. But it is
true. however tardy it may be.
This adjustment of Police Court
quarters suggests the need for as
thorough an adjustment of Police
Court organization. Under the con-
ditions which prevail today the court
is manifestly too crowded to do its
oroughly; It's work is not done
,hly; and the superior courts
penalty in the trial-with
legal machinery and by slower
ies-of causes which ought not
come before them az all
n illustration Of these facts it
ugh to cite that in little more
a month the District branch of
the Police Court tried over 5000 Grim
inaI cases. that n 645 of those cases
the presiding Judge accepted the per-
sonal bones of men found guilty, and
that in ten Of those 645 cases the &C
cused were convicted of carrying con-
cealed weapons, an Offense for which
the law enjoins a penalty of impris-
onment or a fine of not less than $50.
This is the record for forty days.
The total for the year, if anything
like proportionate, is an appalling ar
raignment of today's procedure in
these lower courts.
As a means of practical improve
ment the Capital has but to follow
the example of other cities-Balti-
more, Chicago, St Louis, and New
York. There the thousands of petty
offenders against the public peace are
sorted in magistrates courts. By such
a method at least 635 cases out Of the
5000 cases indicated would have been
kept from the Police Court docket.
The saving would, of course, be much
more than that. Fully two-thirds OF
the whole number of prisoners could
be effectuaIly disposed of without any
likelihood of appeal 10 the Police
Court. That court could then investi-
gate all its cases as the law demands
and not certify TO the District SUI
preme Court a charge Of housebreak-
ing-as was done only last week
which that court was bound to dis
miss on the slightest inquiry into the
circumstances Of the alleged crime.
Much other good would be accom-
plished. Business men who must nov
often give an entire day of their time
If summoned as witnesses before tn,
Police Court would lose little NOR,
than an hour. Most important OF all
men unjustly accused and men right
y accused Of petty offenses could oh
tain trial without spending a night il
cell
The cost would be comparativel.
nothing. According to the Polio
Department three magistrates coul,
hear all the cases which arise ever
day. sift them into their prope
classes, and dispose of the Jesse
charges in three situngs a day O
about an hour each. Against the sal
aries Of these three men-there is n
need for buildings other than the pc
lice stations or furniture other tha
that already in use-the Distric
Auditor could set the food no,
given prisoners who are held owe
night and the cost of useless appeal
To the District superior courts.
In expedition for the prisoner, the1
and in protection of the public inter
est, the saving effected by the crea
ton of these magistrates court
would be large. But the imperatiy
need for them arises from this vastI
more important circumstance: tha
without them trials in our polio
courts inevitably miscarry man
times, and that in such miscarriage
the innocent suffer unjustly as ofte
as the guilty escape.