Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-08
ASK LEGAL REFORM
OF CONVENTION
PRECINCT NO. 116 DEMOCRATS
ADOPT PROGRAM
Would Abolish Filling Fees, Reduce
AbstractIng Costs, Simplify LItI-
CATION Rues and Divide
School Trustees

Democrats in goodly numbers turned
out last night at the precinct 116 caucus
at S0S East Washington street, where
a club was formed which will attract
more than local attention by reason of
the unique resolutions which it's dele
gates are pledged to present before the
Democratic county convention.
They are:
''The Democrats of precinct No 116, in
caucus assembled, in order to direct
public attention to the abuses spring
ing up in local and state affairs declare:
Al That the law making it the duty
of the county clerk to collect 81 of
every litigant on filing his COM
plant in the commencement suit and
81 on filing petition for the appointment
settlement of the estate of the dead,
and also 81 on placing every contested
case on the trial calendar to be used
in providing a law library for lawyers,
is unjust and indefensible; as the same
reasoning that would justify such law
would apply and justify additiona'
tribute for the purpose of providing
libraries for physicians, school teachers,
carpenters, plumbers and other classes
of citizens; we therefore demand that
the county, district and state conVen-
tions pledge all candidates to use all
honorable efforts to repeal the law ana
abolish the practice
"2. That owing to the rapid increase
of population in the state of California,
the frequency in changing titles by
conveyance, from pioneer to newcomer,
spectators to homebuilders and I'M
provers, the abstract companies have
become unreasonable, eXtortionate ana
intolerable in their charges for search
ing titles, we therefore demand that
the 'Torrens law now in force IN the
state of California, be so amended ana
simplified that it's provisions may De
invoked without unreasonable expense,
that it's usefulness and protection may
be claimed by the people and the nom
inal fees therein provided for for max
ing transfers and certificates OF title
by the county recorder be utilized as
other fees received by him.
49, We favor the nomination and
election of judges of the superior court
who will be neither too lenient to great
Offenders nor too ferocious to the weak
and unfortunate, but gentlemen OF
sound discretion, who should remember
that in affixing penalties for the COM
mission of crime they shauld have In
view the reformation of the criminal
and the protection of society and tenn
per Judgment and penalties, as near as
NAV be, commensurate with the degree
"a. AS the simplest and most prac-
ticaI method of relieving the present
crowded condition of the superior court
dockets we favor the creation of a
county court with original, exclusive
jurisdiction in all probate matters not
contested at a salary of not exceeding
10000 per annum, and that the probate
law be so amended and simplified that
anv nerson of ordinary intelligence may
settle UP the estates of the dead with
ont unreasonable delay and expense.
80. Under the present law creating
tbe offices of police magistrate. and JUS
tices of the peace in large cities these
officials are prone to flock about the
court house and police headquarters
| therefore we favor an amendment tc
said law. so that there shall be one
Justice of the peace elected for and
who shall maintain his office in the
ward in which he is elected at salary
not exceeding $500 per annum, all fees
to be turned into the city treasury, ano
| thus relieve the crowded condition OF
the city Jail and lessening the number
sentenced to the chain gang.
&c we favor the abolition of the
school board in large cities and the
enactment of a law providing for Il
school board, consisting of three trus-
| fees for each ward, so that large sums
of school funds may not be squandereo
for office rent and other questionable
expenses, thus avoiding scandal ano
the charge of favoritism to certain sec
tions in the location, building and fur-
nishing school houses.
~. we favor passage of law pro-
viding for payment of 1urymen IN po-
lice and justice courts.
T. S. Knowles was indorsed for the
assembly from the Seventy-first dis
trict.
The officers of the caucus were G.
w. Fox, chairman, and 5. chester
Smith, secretary.
The One Hundred and sixteenth pre-
cinct Bryan-Kern club was also organ
ized with the following officers: Presi-
dent. G. w. Fox; vice presidents,
! James Eads and Joseph Zimmerman: