Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-17
REMARKS.
Lpon BIZ concerning the Courts Of the Dis-
trict Of Columbia.

and for establishing District Court and a
Court Of Chancery in each of the
three counties TO he holden by one of the
Judges Of the Circuit Court.
The objects which are ostensibly intend
ed TO be effected by this almost entire change
Of the judicial establishment of the Dis
srict of Columbia. suppose are
4. To diminish the expences to The u
aited States.
g. To diminish the .expences to suitors.
8. To expedite the decision of causes.
A. To promote the convenience of the
inhabitants.
First--Will the proposed system diminish
the expence to the United States, and in
wha, degree.
The expense of the United States now
consists Of
l. In the payment of the grand jury.
2. In the payment of the petitjury.
8. In the maintenance of prisoners.
4. In the payment of witnesses in crimI-
1ai anu pendi pTOSSCuuVuS,
S. In the payne MT of the attorney clerks
ADD marshals' per diem allowance.
s. In the payment of bailifs and cr'ers
during the sitting Of the court.
.. In the contingent expences OF iuei,
stationary, sc. for the courts.
8. The salaries of the judges.
L. As 10 the first of the proceeding items
of expence, the saving TO the United States
in regard to the grand jury would be the
same if they attended the circuit cour, with
out pay ing them, and the justice of depriv.
ing them of pay, would be the same in re-
gard to the present Circuit Court, as IN re-
gard TO the new district courts which
the bill proposes 70 create. But wherein Is
the justice OF paying the grand jurors who
are summoned TO attend every other United
States circuit court in the Union, and not
pay taem in this district. Is the amount OF
the sum paid, reason which ought can
influence an impartial Legislature, 10 make
SO odious distinction. Why should grand
Jurors of the courts held in Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond,
Charleston, and other towns in the Union be
paid, and the grand jurors of this District be
not paid for their attendance upon the court.
Have not the people of the Obstruction what
is supposed a good, which the nation at
large demanded of them been compelled to
sacrifice rights enough without being requi-
red TO serve as Jurors in the courts OF this
district, upon terms different from those ex-
tended to Jurors in the other courts OF the
IT, States.
In Virginia, all petit Jurors summoned 70
try criminal cases in the superior courts Of
law of that state receive dollar cts, per
day, besides cents for every mile they ira
vel going to and returning from the court;
beside fernages. Sec. !. Vol. Laws Virg.
Page l0I. Sec. l8, and page 279, Ses. 9,
9. The above observations may be APP
piled TO petit Jurors.
8, The expense OF maintaining the priso-
ners under the proposed arrangements OF
the courts, would be the same as they are
under the present system-for as the District
court would sit semi-annually, there would
be only sem-annual gaol deliveries, which
is tine case at present; but II may be said, the
District courts may hold special sessions
so may the present circuit court under the
existing law.
a. As to witnesses. the proposed saving IS
by allowing them only 90 cents per DAY,
instead of 25--the same saving could be
made by allowing only so cents in the pre-
sent circuit courts. and no reason is perceiy-
ed why toe pay should not be the same in
each court. The proposed bill retains the
iq5 as now fixed by law for the pay OF wit
nesses attending the circuit court.
But il may be said, that the multiplicity
of business in the circuit court ob!iges wit
nesses TO attend from day TO day, and that
there would be less business in the district
court. This arrangement applies only to
the court in Washington, which would be d.
yided. Il is not however the business which
retards he trial of suits in that court, but 1t
is lhcsmanner OF doing the busiaess. What is
this manner? 1t is one, which if any person
wished 10 form system best calculated to
delay the trial Of suits. he would adopt that
which prevails in the county of Washing
ton except the one eantemDlated by the