THE LAW

Abstract

That the present system of administering justice in small cases through the medium of the Justice. of the Peace is a misshapen and perverted thing, contributing nothing to any substantial results in the proper determination of controversies, will probably be generally conceded. How the system originated, and how it came to its present stage of perfect inefficiency, would make an interesting chapter for the legal antiquary. It is a chapter, however, apart from our present task, which is a practical rather than historical treatment of the subject. It may be remarked in passing that the civil jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace in Pennsylvania is very old. The first Act conferring upon him such jurisdiction, to the extent of forty shillings, was passed in 1715, since which time it has been successively increased and extended to its present proportions. It is probable that no such results as are practically worked out were ever intended or .foreseen by the framers of the