FINES AND FORFEITURES.
Mr. Linsday's bill [H. R. 224] to provide for the collection of fines and forfeitures, etc., prescribing duties of Clerks and Constables in relation thereto, was read the third time.
Mr. LINSDAY--This bill was prepared by the Attorney General. He says that the State is now, and has been for some time passed, losing annually about $10,000 or more, owing to the lax manner in which the officers mentioned in the bill have been discharging their duties. It makes no material change in the law as it now is, except that it requires prompt and strict discharge of duties by the officers, whose duty it is to collect fines and forfeitures in State prosecutions. It provides further for the arrest and imprisonment of a defendant should he fail or refuse to pay or replevy a fine when required to do so. The bill also provides that Clerks of the Courts and Justices of the Peace shall promptly issue execution on all judgments, and place the same in the hands of the proper officer, who shall proceed to execute.
Some opposition being made to the bill, its further consideration was postponed until Tuesday next at 10 o'clock a. m.
