The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-07
WANT A NEW'LAW FOR
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Duties Without Pay So Onerous
No Capable Man Will Take
Position.
Special 10 The Times DIspa.cl.)

CONFORM, VA, january cit is un-
dcrstood that the Virginia law makers
will be asked, while in session this win
ter, to amend or reysc the statutes In
regard to Justices OF the peace. Since
the jurisdiction and duties of Justices
have been increaAcd without any In
crease OF pay for services rendered, safe,
capable men arc unwilling and cannot
afford to I'LL the Office, and 1t Is now very
difficult 10 get good, intelligent men to
accept tho office.
In some cases q Justice is required to
do the work formerly done by Judge
and Jury OF twelve men-lwork some
times requiring two days OF his time
and N good deal of writing--nnd for
such work he Is allowed a fee of fifty
cents. Another fact that is bitterly
complained Of, is that the Commonwealth
no longer furnishes the necessary books.
such ~ "Mayo's Guide" and the Code.
but requires Justices to buy them ut
Their own cost. a Justice cannot do
without n Mayo's Guldc--a book that
costs at least 81; and he Is practically
at sea without II copy OF the revised
Code There are some-perliaps MANY
good, honest. intelligent magistrates
whose fees In the conse of nearly or
quite Il year do not amount to more than
enough to buy the necessary books and
Stationery. Some of the best magis-
tratcs IN the State declare that they
VIII not serve a day after the expira-
ton of their present term. unless the
Legislature increases their cornpcrsa-
ton. or ut least provides for the fur
nisfing Of books by tho Commonwealth.
III some sections. the office of ifagis-
trate is now filed by illteratc. incom-
potent men, simply because men Of In
teiligencc and capability cannot afford
to give their time and services TO the
Commonwealth without remuneration.
Mr.. ~. n. Olive of this county. is in
Richmond city. under treatment for
cancer.
Mrs Robert Clarke and children, OF
tho Edge Hill reighborhood. are spend
ing the winter In Baltimore.
Miss Ernestinc South has returned to
Lothian. near King George Courthouse.
after spending a month or so in WASH
ingtom
Miss Eva p. Tayloe, who spent the hol-
idays at Powhatan, her parental home
here. has returned to West Virginia.
where she Is teaching; and Miss jose
phinc Garnett Of Spy Hi, has returned
to her school i'm Madison county.
Mr.. Powell Showdei of Alexandria,
after spending some days ut Chatham,
near here. has returned home
The promises OF Mrs. James II. Boggs,
at this place were raided several nights
ago and relieved OF a whole flock Of
turkeys. No clue to the thief az yet.
Large Quantities of ine black bass are
being caught near the mouth of Poto-
mae Creek, sevcral miles from here, and
shipped to Washington. Over one hun
dred punches of these popular. fish are
shipped from Smiths wharf. by Potomac
River steam boats some days Prior to
tire advent of black bass week or so
ago the Potomac fishermen had caught
but few fish OF any kind during the
season.
rho people here are fairly mourn
ing over the fact that their ice-houses
arc s,ili empty. and weather prophets;
just "bobbed up are serving as Jobs
coforters.' on tho subject.
The persimmon crop here is pro-
nounccd the heaviest ever known in this
section Nearly every persimmon tree.
from the smallest to the largest. to be
found, is laden with well matured fruit.
which Is Just now thoroughly ripe and
sweet.
Mrs Ella II. Smith and daughter.
Miss Nellie Smith. who have been trav-
cling abroad since early last summer,
have returned to America and are now
guests OF relatives Mt Oak Grove, In the
upper part OF Westmoreland county.
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