MACOMB JUSTICE.
The following is from an American paper, and shows some peculiarities in the administration of justice, but after all it is questionable whether the justice meted out was not superior to that obtainable in the Napier Courts at times : — One day last summer while a Detroiter was driving in the country, and when within half a mile of the Macomb County live, a half-drunken loafer, driving a team of horses and wagon, methim on the road and refused to turn out. The Detroiter who ie rather " sot " in his ways, came to a halt as well, and the two faced each other for several minutes. Then the loafer began to make various threats, and finally the loafer turned out, and shaved a wheel off the buggy. It was a bad shave for him, before he could drive off he was pulled from his wagon, and given a hearty thumping. Just then a man came along in a buggy, and the Detroiter hired him to stay and watch the two outfits while he took the gig, loaded the loafer in, and drove off for a justice of the peace. The nearest one resided over the line in Macomb, and when the Detroiter explained the case and asked for a warrant, he said : "As the offence was committed in Wayne County I have no jurisdiction." "But he deliberately ran into me!" " Yes, but in Wayne County." "And be damaged me 20dols. worth !" " I suppose he did, but what can I do ?" " And he's ugly and defiant," continued the Detroiter, "and says he dosen't care a jot for any jackass Justice of the Peace in Macomb County." "He says that, does he ? Calls this Court a copper jackass, eh ?" " Teß, and a good deal more." " Well, I can't issue a warrant and try him, as you must yourself admit, but I'm willing to stretch my jurisdiction as far as possible. You've thumped him once, and, consarn his buttons, if he don't hand you over 20dols. I'll thump him myself. " He went out to the prisoner, who was being guarded at the door, and stated the case, and the young man put up a 7dol. watch and 13dols in money and slid into Wayne County as fast as he could go.
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Bibliographic details
Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 6
Word Count
379MACOMB JUSTICE. Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 6
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