The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-08
JUDGE LANE CANNOT
 AID AT THIS TIME
Only Eight Criminal Cases
 Under His Jurisdiction
HIGD0N SUBMITS LETTER
On July 31 There Were 1858 Prisoners In the County Jail Charged With FeIonles and 62 Charged
 With Misdemeanors.

Judge A. o. Lane of the circuit court of the Tenth Judicial district of Ala bama stated yesterday that he was perfectly willing to try all jail cases of criminal charges in which the de- fendants are suffering bondage if he can be shown that any unnecessary and expensive delay is incurred, and If enough of such cases be presented to him to justify the empaneling of grand and petit juries
 | This means" said Judge Lane, that will be willing. to call and empanel grand jury and petit juries to try these cases and In some measure to relieve the criminal court of it's over burden.
 But, from letter received from the sheriff today, l find that there are only eight cases of>felony and misde- ! meanor that could possibly come within my Jurisdiction at this date. The in- ferior and police courts have bound over most of the cases, in fact. all but this number, to the criminal court. and 1t would be an expense to the taxpayers greater beyond results for my court to assume to undertake criminal jurisdic- | tion at this time.
 The only purpose I could possibly have In ordering juries for a criminal sesison of my court would be to re- lieve the jail, acquit the innocent or to punish those who have offended and who could possibly be brought under the Jurisdiction of the court over which I preside.
 The following correspondence is self explanatory" said Judge Lane:
 
 Judge Lanes Letter.
 July 3o 1907 E. l.. Higdon, Sheriff.
 Dear Sir-ln rSrsuance of an inter- view had by us some days ago, I would be glad to have you submit to me report, In writing, as to the number of prisoners confined in the county jail, who have not been indicted by the grand jury of the criminal court Of course, l have no Jurisdiction to try cases already under the Jurisdiction of the criminal court, hence, inquire as to those cases of which the criminal court has not acquired jurisdiction. If l can be of service in relieving the re- ported physical conditions In the tail 1t Is my purpose to lend helping hand. l would be glad to know the number of felony cases and misdemeanor cases, respectively. Yours very truly.
 A. O. LANE, Judge.
 Answer of Sheriff Hlgdcn. Hon. A. o. Lane, Judge of Circuit Court, City.
 bear Sir:-Replylng to your letter of July 30, I beg to submit the following report as to number of prisoners in jail and their status:
 At the close of business on July 31 there were in Jail 15S prisoners, charged with felonies, and 62 charged with mis- demeanors.
 Of the felony cases e3 were capital cases and 97 non-captal.
 For your information l will state that of the felony cases 72 have been indicted by the grand jury of the criminal court, four have been indicted by the city court of Bessemer, twenty-three have been bound over by the police court of Blr- mingham, thrty-fve by the inferior courts and justices of the peace, one po- lice court of Pratt City four police court of Bessemer, two from police court of North Birmingham. five from police court of Ensley and one from the police court of Adamsville, three from foreign coun- ties and eight awaiting preliminary ex- aminatons.
 Of the misdemeanors, ffty-f1ve have been arrested on warrants returnable be fore the judge of the criminal court of Jefferson county" six returnable to the city court of Bessemer and one before a justice of the peace.
 1 give you this information and details so that you can judge for yourself as to the number of prisoners in jail, if any, lover which the criminal court has not acquired jurisdiction
 lf this does not cover all information you desire, let me know, and l will be glad to assist you in any further manner possible Yours very truly,
 E. L. HIGDON, Sheriff
 Now" said Judge Lane, "the proposi- tion confronts me and the people wheth- CT 1t Is or is not better to await devel- opments by inferior and police courts, wllo seem to have overlooked the pre- roPative of the circuit court or to close the circuit court in Jefferson county against all criminal proceedings. This would relieve the circuit court of an enormous burden and responsibility.