The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-06
PLAN TO ABOLISH
CITY JUDCESH|P
NOT SUCCESSFUL
Council Tried to Accomplish
Work Last Night, But Was
FoiIed by CounciImen Won
! Pein and LeftWich.
A UNANIMOUS VOTE
REQUIRED TO DO so
AboIishing Ordinance Will Now
Have to Take Its Regular
Course Judge Fox Makes
A Plea.

- In an attempt to pass an ordinance
on third reading, abolishing the office
Of police judge, after the expiration
of Judge Converse's term, December
81. and imposing the duties of this
office upon the incoming mayor. coun-
Gil voted nine to two for the ordinance.
Leftwich and Won Pein were the two
councilmen. While those
favoring the elimination of the office
gained their point-to direct the city
committee as to whether to include
the office of city judge on the pri-
mary ticket-the ordinance did not
become effective. In case council
tries to pass an ordinance in one even
ing, it is not effective unless passed
by a unanimous vote. The matter
will be considered at the next regu-
lar session of council, Monday even
ing, April 10.
eartePs Resolution.
The ordinance was brought up the
first thing by Councilman Bartel. He
introduced this resolution: Resolved
that aa ordinance be drafted at least
80 days before the city election, i'm
posing the duties Of city police Judge
upon the mayor of this city. COM
mencing when the present city
judges term expires"
Following this, argument was in
dulged in for more than an hour by
the council and also a plea was made
by Judge Fox for the continuation of
the office, namely, because Of the in
creased duties the abolition Of the
office will impose upon the mayor and
the fact that it will add greatly to the
expense of the circuit court
Councilman Englebert's motion to
refer the resolution to the ordinance
committee for immediate action was
carried by unanimous vote. The or
dinance committee adjourned to an
other room and draw up an ordinance,
concurring with the sentiment of the
resolution.
Rules Are Suspended.
In order that the ordinance might
come up for third reading. Council
men Won Pein and Leftwich voted
with the rest OF the body to suspend
the rules. However they voted against
the ordinance when final vote was
taken, thus killing all hopes Of pass
ing it, last evening.
Judge Fox in a statement to the
council said that as far as economy
was concerned, it would increase the
expense instead of lessening it by the
abolition Of the office. He declared
that cases in the circuit court cost the
county approximately $50 day while
il these same cases were tried In the
city court, the expense would be ap.
proximately SIS. He also stated that
if he had to assume the burden Of the
cases from the city court which de-
manded judge. he would have to
salary of whom would be much more
than that Of the city judge. There
are $50 cases on the circuit docket
at the present time, and the court de-
clared, it was always behind. even un
der existing conditions. Judge Foz
pointed out that a lawyer always
wanted some one with knowledge OF
the law to preside over cases and that
if layman had charge Of the Judge
ship. many city court cases would be
bound over to the circuit court in ord
er that they might be heard by a
trained jurist.
Won Pein's Objections.
Because the incoming mayor will
be the head OF the police department
Councilman Won Pein thought that he
should not be the city Judge. Mr.. Won
Pein favored reducing the salary OF
the next mayor to 100 and that Of
the city Judge to $500, while Mr.. Left
wich. the other councilman favorine
the retention of the office OF city
judge. thought the salary of the judge
should be 500 and the mayor $1,000
Councilman Won Pein said that the
only reason council was for abolish
ing the Office was because OF public
sentiment and false economic reason
ing. Mr.. Won Pein was Of the opinion
that by reducing the salaries Of botf
offices. the city would be benefac
tor. Mr.. Bartel stated that the ex
penses had to be looked after close
| lv and said that the office Of cit,
/ ;sro 80. f>~a 3mnortanf than = new