Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-05-31
County Court Jurisdiction.

Ave- 80
Judge of the county court in that coun-
ty, Bottineau county has increased it's
jurisdiction and the judges letter is in
structive as bearing on the benefits like
ly to come to Cavalier county if the
people vote f%avorably on the proposition
to increase our Courts jurisdiction.
Bottineau, N. d., May 23rd, 1906
Attorney P. G. Johnson, Langdon, N. D.
Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of
the 18th inst, which came during my
absence and which contains an inquiry
as to the working of increased jurisdic-
ton, | may state that it seems to be the
general impression among the people
here that increased jurisdiction has been
a great benefit to Bottineau county.
While it is impossible to estimate exact
ly the difference in county expenditures
occassioned by it, it is evident from a
position that the total expenditure of
county funds for doing the same work is
greatly diminished by increased juris-
diction in our county. Hitherto we have
rarely had a term of district court held
here oftener than one a year. We are
far removed from the district Judges
chambers.
A prisoner arrested for a petty otfense
and unable to procure bonds was often
held in Jail awaiting trial for an in
definite period of time, his board being
paid at the expense of the county. I'm
der increased jurisdiction all this class
of crominal cases as we'll as all o%tfenses
against the prohibition law are triable in
county court. The defendant is given
a speedy trial and starts to serve his
sentence.
The expense of trying a case in county
court is less han hat for trying the
same case in district court, on account
of the less amount of court machinery.
In dis trict court there is not only a
Sheriff but several bailiffs in attend
ance all drawing pay from the county
general fund. There is a complete panel
of thirty-six jurors all drawing thei
dollars a day as we'll as a court steno-
grapher who draws ten dollars per day.
In county court a stenographer is
hired by the month at a regular salary
and his duties are inclusive of many
others besides taking testimony in
court.
There is necessity for only one shirley
atty Office. In all civil cases involving
fifty dollars the parties are not allowed
a jury without first depositing the ex-
pense thereof. In other civil cases the
number of jurors is reduced to six and
none are called or draw pay except those
in actual use during the trial of the case.
The same is likewise true of juries in
criminal cases excepting that the num-
Der of jury in criminal cases is twelve,
The increased expense as occasioned by
the increased salary of the judge and by
the slight additional expense of the
court stenographer is uncomfortable
when compared with the decrease in eX.
penditures occasioned by the difference
in method of trial in cases between dis
trict court and county court as above
5 referred to: but even this is the smallest
part Of the benefit derived from %increas
ed jurisdiction. The greatest benefit
, comes from the increased efficiency il
2 the management of the peoples business
The administration of justice is without
doubt one of the most expensive depart
ments of government. 1t is however ar
expense that it Is impossible to elimi
nate. We can only keep it at the mini
, nun and keep up the efficiency.
5 1t is a matter of great concern witt
| litigants to have their cases litigateC
, without undue delay. County courts
/ with increased jurisdiction hold theil
| terms monthly thus avoiding delay.
l County courts with increased iuris
diction under the federal statutes have
: authority to issue naturalization papers
and as the county court is open from
|. day to day any person may be converted
! into a citizen at any time. This single
!, feature of the county courts increased
powers has proven Of incalculable con
venience to the people of this county.
: would not advise increased jurisdiction
in any county where the district judge
i, has his chambers and where he hold:
+ frequent terms of court. but in an.
county far removed from the chamber:
of the district judge it can not be prov
en- to be of anything but the best inter
ests of the people, provided a competent
official is selected to fill the office.
> Yours Very Truly, JOHN II. kirk
, See hat your druggist gives you nc
t imitation when you ask for kennedy's