The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-08
Q.ANlGRsel1a
POO TL.aND THURSDAY, FEB. 9, 1921.



COMMON PLEAS.
The bill to abolish the Circuit Court of Com
mon Pleas and TO transfer its powers to the Su-
preme Court, was taken up yesterday morning in
the House OF Representatives, 10 committee of
the whole. and after debate, which occupied
the whole day, the committee rose and reported
the bill wilsout amendments, to the House The
bill was ably opposed by Mr.. Redington, of Vas
salboIough. Mr.. Smith, Of Wiscasset, and MIR.
Sprague Of HalloweIl: the two latter gentlemen
went msnutely into arguments, in favour Of an
intermediate system, drawn from experience
from expedeDcy, from the honour, safety and in
dependence Of the judicial department, from
economy and from the good Of the community.
Mr. Sprsgue, with no little spirit flung back the
insinustions which Mr.. Speaker Ames threw 50
literally upon the Supreme Court, the profession
Of law, ana upon every one who has hazarded
znopinion which initiate with his own.
The bill was advocated with great vehemence
by Mr.. Speaker Ames, who attempted 10 turn
the present unpopularity of Lawyers into an in
strument to overthrow a system, into which abu-
ses may undoubtedly have crept, more from the
imperiections and passions of men, than from the
strongly implied baseness Of the profession. The
Speaker spologized for his want of preparation,
bat IN the course of his argument, be evidenced
great industry and indefatigabe research into
the county records, for facts and proofs to sup
port bis round statements Those who happened
to he familiar with the facts to which be alluded
4 the course of practise, were able to detect the
fallacy of his argument, but on others, il had
great influence.
Ia the House, the report Of the committee Of
The whole accepted. and the further consid-
GRAFTON Of the bill postponed to Friday next, at
ten o'clock.
There will always be found men IN every
community who are fond Of refining upon the
theory Of government, and are continually
seeking to engraf something novel upon es-
tablshed principles. We have hitherto by
The force of good bsbits, aud by the influence
of sound practices men, preserved our statute
book from the wild schemes OF visionary en-
lhusiasts. We have been willing to be gui-
lied by the steady light which experience
has afforded and have not been drawn from
the plain and simple maxims sanctioned by
The practise of ages, by the capHciOus lights
which Hash up, lure and deceive the unwary.
Perhaps % 10 one subject, have there been
50 man, abortive attempts by The specula- |
tors in ra'itcs, as upon the law, rs courts and
practiiouers Soon after the revolution. they I
began in Massachusetts and we all recollect !
the history 81 AIr. Sto,s snd bis coadjutors,
IN the pFojeot of controlling courts OF justice |
by physical force. IL 1890 three years af- !
ter Slsys' detection. Tiers arose 10 the legis- |
Iaiure Of The Commonwealth, a small party |
OF innoyatofs upon Tie common Jaw, under
the guidance Of Mr. Gardiner representative !
nom Pownaib,rough in this state. His eff
forts. wh-, were extraordinary in that case. 4
-t..ti., ted hos h.. tnta IT
Justice Parsons, Or. Jarvis, Dr.. Eustis, Mr 1
Sewall and others, sound statesmen, and good
citizens Of The Commonwealth.
Ia 1911 furious spirit prevailed bui me |
violence Of that time produced 2 salulary re- /
action: il i unnecessary to recur particularly I
20 that Period OF our history, for none i pro
badly more deeply impressed upon our
minds The people were not ripe for such |
sudden changes in established ussges: the |
commonwealth had long iourished under a
system rendered dear bv age, by usefulness /
anu by It's resistance 10 The attacks OF dema-
gogues and theorists and the men who pro-
posed those measures, were hurled from The
guidance OF The Stale.
No government 10 the Union has marched
with more sure and steady pace 10 greatness,
than Massachusetts her laws give security 70 I
liberty and property IN an emineat degree,
Cor thew are based upon the great principles
IL the common law, which, says Lord CoKE, !
i founded in common sense, and ensure TO the
people the enjoyment OF the easements and \
privileges which their fathers before them en-
loved and handed down 10 them: her laws are
well administered, for she has system Of
Courts, venerable by lis snuqu'ty-a system
which commands the entire confidence OF the
people, and is the cause tina, the decisions OF
Ber highest tribunal have become authority 10 |
every o'her State 10 the Union her system |