Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-19
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1926.
Mesrs. Snouden & Thornton:

GENrLEMEN-A "BILL, reported to Con
gress, concerning the Orphans Courts, in th'
District Of Columbia, "has, accidentally, stray
ed to Alexandria; for, from the privacy preserv
ed, it is to be presumed it was intended to have
been struggled through the House OF Represen
tatives-sub silentio.
Your Junior Editor, by his watchfulness and
alertness, both by editorial remarks, and as
as member of the Committee deputed by our
Corporation, contributed much to defeat the
plan of Territorial Legislature.-Just escap-
ed from the ruinous effects that that Bill would
have entailed on us, we are now menaced with
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS less expensive; provid-
ing sinecures for the tew, without much, if any
benefit, to the community. II is from the same
mint, at Washington, showing that, although
"the snake has been scoteh'd, he is not killed.
! give you synopsis Of the Bill.
Sec lst, Is merely the preamble.
Sec. I'd, Provides, in blank at present, for
the annual salary Of the Judges Of the Or
phan's Courts, 10 be paid from the Trea-
sury of the United States. But mark the
sequel
Sec. Sd, Enacts that there shall be Mar
shall appointed by each Court-distlnct
from the Marshal Of the District Of Column
bia-to be appointed by the Judge Of each
Of said Courts-And further, that the Re-
gisler and Marshal may each appoint De-
putty, to be approved by Court-and fur
Their, in stately phraseology, designates the
duties of the Marshal IN person, or by De
puty--that he shall receive the same fees
allowed to the Marshal Of the Distric, Of
Columbia-and furthermore, the annual sum
of - dollars from the Treasury Of the
United States. Mark well Sec. %, which
follows-it comes home. Why! this is as
Stunning coordinate powers with the Cir
cult Court-or at least, an bnaperium IN I'M
peyao.-Weak ambition, or sehshness, Of
ten overshoots its mark.
Sec 4. Prescribes the oath and formula to the
Judge, Register and Marshal.
Sec. 5. for the payment of the Registers
fees; and in addition thereto, an annual -
sum from the Treasury Of the U. States
Sec. 6. Enac,s the duties Of Register and
Deputy.
Sec z. Defines, rather ertsnds the power OF
the Orphans Court.
Sec. 8. The terms for holding Court.
Sec. 9. Declares the duties of the Register.
Sec. 10. Gives very extensive additional pow
er TO the Court-the power OF Court OF
Common Law, and of Court Of Chance
~. ooh man, poor man, d:es't up In
little brief authority" or would be what
art thou?
Sec IL. Provides as to the duties and re-
sponsibiliiy of executors, administrators
and guardians
Sec. Il. As to the mode of appointing guar
dams.
Sec. Il. Gives important powers to the Court,
in appointing guardians, when land shall
descend, or be devised 10 Infants "-males
under 2l-females under l6.
Sec. IA. Speaks further as to guardianship.
Sec. Is. Do. do.
Sec. Is. As to sureties.
Sec. IL. AS TO releasing executors, admins
traitors, &c. from the execution Of their
trust.
Sec Is. Gives the Orphans Court power, il
any contest before it, to direct an issue, or
issues--to order the Marshal, who is en-
powered TO execute such in as full and am
pie a manner as the Marshal OF the DIS
trict can do; TO summon twelve jurors TO
try such issues and so on.
Sec. 18th. Relates 10 surelies required
Sec goth. Gives right Of appeal TO the Cir
cult Court Of the District OF Columbia,
provided the appeal be made at the rendi-
ton of the decree, and record OF the
proceedings be lodged within sixty days
thereafter, with the Clerk of the Circuit
Court-Verily! grea, boon, after shear
ing that Court Gifts most important pow
ers.
Sec. 81 Euacts as TO obtaining the testimo-
ny OF persons residing beyond the jurisdic-
ton OF The Cou.t; allows witnesses 81 Is
per diSm, ard 10 cents per mile.
Sec. %. EnaoIs that the Commissioners OF
the Public shall provide convenient and
suitable apartments for the accommoda-
ton of their honours and their officers.
Sec Esd. Mark this section, fellow-citizens
mark it well--the second and third sec.
tons you viii have perceived, provides fol-
the payment of the Judges, and of the Re-
gis,er and Marshal, at the Treasury of the
United States. This section, most aeroit
Iy keeping, in petto, the real object by
which this Bill might be smuggled thro
Congress; provides that the levy Court.
of Washington and of Alexandria, shall
Isry annually - dollars towards dc