The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-06-08

cost s54 a day, and the court will
be in session perhaps fifteen to TWEEN
ty weeks a year In addition TO per
diem the jurors will receive mileage
and the witnesses in the crinli-
nal side of the court will also receive
per diem and mileage. The baiiffs
will likewise draw pay. And there are
probably other expenses that will
have to be paid.
They should also remember that
the congested condition of the circuit
court is due as much TO the waste of
time in iormer years, as it is tot he in
crease in business, and that therefore
the need of another cOr-t TO transact
business is more app;.."" than real
! They should also remember that
great deal Of The litigation that
burdens the courts is Of the damage
suit description, ard that in justice to
the rank and file Of the people Of the
state, these cases should never go into
the courts to be tried before jury.
| Damage suits should re adjudicatcd
under the provisions OF an employ
ers' liability and compensation law,
such as majority of the states have
had in successful operation for years
! Damage suits are the most expensive
form of litigation to the taNray ers
and the interests Of these who have
such causes of action would he better
subserved by an employers liability
law. anyway. We do not need more
courts to take care Of damage suits
and similar litigation, but law to free
the courts of this burdensome encum-
brace.
They should also remember thit 4
court calls for jurymen, and that
eighteen men will be summoned to
serve each week that the court is iii
session If you find il pleasant ana
profitable to leave your business to
serve on a jury. then your opportun-
ity for this occupation will be multi
piled by the establishment OF the
county court. Service on jury is q
duty that citizen owes the common
wealth. but it is an extra oi dinary duty
and no one should De called upon TO
give this service with undue ire
quency.
They should also remember that
the members Of the bar look at this
matter from an entirely different
point of view No one shoald Ques
The members OF the bar III advocating
he County Court. They are conrinc-
that the court is necessary and
will ultimately work Out to the best
interest Of the public ana that in time
t will not be great financial burden
But attending court is the business
md avocation OF the lawyers. and
when they find thar they are hamper
in their business and their possible
income curtaiied by the lack or great
I Facilities for carrying on their
BUSINESS. it is but human for them 10
conclude that the entire body polite
8 suffering Ninety-nine out Of every
lundred laymen would occupy the
.ame position and would view the
matter in the same light were they
members Of the bar in the active
practice OF law Give the lawyers fun
credit for sincerity and desire to
do the best thing for the public. but
don't forget that they are looking at
things from different angle.
Finally remember that taxes are
already high that taxes must be paid,
and that every additional mill makes
he burden greater. The county court
will neceSsitate the levy of approx
nately one mill additional for a period
If years-until the "onsasted docket
is cleared. ii it is ever cleared. ls this
time to Increase taxes. with the
present financial Stringency cramping
Ill lines OF business and the boll Wee
Ill staring the cotton farmer IL r!se
face?