The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-08


nus whether they are excessive or
use liabilities and nssets. An outline
OF the information necessary TO be
obtained and tho calculations to be
made is contained in the text OF this
report
Ftrtmcn's Mutual Aid Association.
The same situation relatively exists
and the same recommendations are
made in the case of the Firomen' 3
/ Mutual Aid association as in the case
OF the Police BENEFIT association.
Police Court.
The atmosphere of the court, the
iack OF order. the mingling of persons
Of all kinds, the comedy" of the po-
lice court Judge often at the expense
OF unfortunate and helpless men and
women, the Anticipated cost system. arc
al reminiscent of days and methods
that have passed In most other Eng
disappearing communities. Many OF
the people of Richmond look upon the
proceedings in'this court as one of the
best shows in town, and a well-known
vaudeville actor has copied the man
+. nerisIns and the language Of the court
anc appeared in all parts of the coun-
try with success as an entertainer. The
possibility of using the court as cor
rectional institution seems to be over
large total of fines, and it is even pos
6iole FOR defendant to avoid appear
ance In court at all provided he sends
In the standard" fine for his offense
10 the court clerk by messenger.
The methods of this court add moth
ing TO the reputation for jurisprudenc
OF the state OF Virginia, and the mem ,
ocrs of the bar and the public should
not rest until the procedure Is i'm
proved and the dignity of the court as
serted and maintained One OF the
most serious features OF the practice
In this court is the federation by the
Judge of requests from police officers
that the complaints they have brought
against lawbrcakers he withdrawn and
the cases dismissed This Is a matter
for both the mayor and the public TO
ms esttEate. list of the cases in
which such requests were granted by
the judge may be found in he text
OF this report relating 10 the police
derartmef
The terms OF the act OF annexation
of the city OF Manch ester have been
construed to require the continued EN-
ployment OF a police court Judge for
that section known as Part II of the
police court Despite this duplication
when the police court Judge OF the old
court takes n vacation magistrate
IN designated 10 sit in place Of the
Judge and his 81 larry Is paid out OF 'hr
FUNDS OF the police department. THIS
IL an untustiNabie pracrce ana SHOULD
be charged 80 that the fudge OF Part
il shall be required TO sit instead OF
magistrate in case Of tho absence
81 the JUDGE in purt l. until such time
as Part II is abolished.
'lt IS recon IA ended that Part II
80 = sg.,t.a
though an act 81 the general assembly
Of Virginia may oe required to do It
although IL is not settled in the minds
of attorneys that such an act will he
required. There ~ no Justification for
hSV'rr two police courts I'm Richmond.
particularly when the court now ends
its sessions nt - ar 1880 a M
II Is rncamrr ended that the police
court remain ia ION antil st least
f.. NJ. The Judee Of Part II fire.
aoentiy holds af'oI noon and even
i'-Tr sss'TG5S7s f1f ~" rFTfeF 81 persons
who may he arrested and who might
otherwise be detained Illegally over
night ard 7o Is to ~ commended for
this practice
o,her rrae. epaations regarding
.hs police euHzs Are.
THAT the pe.sc~ Justice he appoint
ed by tn 'Hsror for a term OF not less
than ten years and that his salary be
rai6 out Of "ity funds That he DE re-
movable oily th~1agh impeachment
proceeding A~o'teh: before q court OF
higher jurisdiction:
'That the cost Of operating and
maintaining this court be borne nv the
city;
'Ttat ,he cost and free system IN
connection with this court he abolish
I'd:
"Thst, ell aaes collected In this court
be said i7to the c5sv treasury;
THAT the laws 30 amended xo "a
10 Permit of Sunday session OF the
police court.
THAT tho laws he amended so ms to
provide fer the inauguration ~ the
probation system. the granting II
suspended sentences by the court and
the appointment OF probation officers:
THAT the laws be amended so as to
provide for the ssta blishment of II
summons procedure similar 10 the
statute now in effect in the CITY OF
New York,
TT at the laws be amended SO a. to
provide that in all felony cases the ap-
prevail Of the commonwealth attorney
be required before bond is accepted
by the court. and that he be given
forty eight hours In which 70 investi-
ssf@ the securities offered
THAT the clerk and all attaches ny
the court be appointed ny the mayor
as result of competitive civil service
examination, That The clerk be re-
CURED 10 qualify as a stenographer
and typewriter; md that the detail
Of a policeman for this service he dis
continued
That the procedure and records of
the court be simnIia-d and that the
inferior courts act OF the city of New
York be adopted as a guide in revis-
FMS thu procedure and thu court rec
o-ds;
THAT fo~ the guidance OF council,
the administrative officials " the CITY
OF Richmond and the legislature. the
police court Justice be required by
statue to prepare and file officially
complete and detailed annual state.
ment OF the business carried on IN the
court:
That the practice ~ defeating tu
d.cisl powers to tht cashier OF tina
court and trial powers to the rnngts-
.rates be discontinued at once;
That, as convenience In the oiti-
gems and the city departments, there
be held srec'al sessions. of the police
court for the hearing of cases t44ve4v--
ing violation OF the trsEt- ordinances
and departmental regulation;
That the cases IN which women arc