Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-16


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Henry Wilson, Marshal.
The Judges receive each, a salary Of 81 500,
and the Attorneys and Marshas $500 and fees.
The whole OF these salaries are paid by the U
States. 1t will here be observed that so rapid
has been the growth OF the Territory, as 10 re-
quire an addition of 'wo judicial Departments,
that the people may be projected in all their
rights.
The Legislative Department is COMPOSED os
thirteen members, elected by the people, who
meet in Council at the seat Of the Territorial
government on the second Monday in October,
annually; and receive while in session, each
Three Dollars per Day, as a compensation, for
their services, from the United States. When
the first Council assembled at Pensacola, in
1922, the whole Territory consisted of two eoun-
ties Ii Was then divided into four, and now
the same tract Of country is subdi,ide into
FIFTEEN counties, to wiz: Monroe, Mosquito
ST. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Alachua, Hamilton,
Madison, Jefferson, Leon. Gadsden, Jackson,
Washington, Walton and Escambia.
County Courts have been organized in all
the Counties but one, or two; which are at pre-
sent composed of three Judges. Justices courts
are also established for The convenience Of small
regulate the police of The counties, and when
ever necessary, levy taxes for county purposes.
1t has been very diff, ult task 10 legislale
Tor the Territory; SO discordant have been the
views Of the people, and so diverse have been
their local interests. The first legislative code
was partially repeated by the succeeding legis>
lature, and altogether at The one subsequent TO
the later, and men new code was substituted.
ma of thp la nhrac in
have been 1aled and re-enacted. until The
whole became changed and so complex
as 10 render the whole uncertain or uninielligi-
bic. The whole code was again supervised
at the last session Of The Legislative Council.
under the direction Of fudge Randall, by whom
many ut the previous statutes have been freed
from unn,eaning phrases and discordant mat
ter, and re-enaCted. The effect Of these chan>
ges have had an unfortunate Influence upon the
minds OF the people, and been serious ex-
pense 10 The United States. Our government
has been so long in operation. that chimerical
noliona are now the less TO be excused; and as
men will not think alike, a wise legislature
will deliberate we'll before it enac,s laws, and
when they are enacted, The most urgent neces-
sity should hardly effect their repeal. When
our rights are secured by fixed laws, those who
are 10 be affected by them become the better
satisfied as they become acquainted with their
forms and operation. 1t is to be hoped there
fore, that before any of our laws shall hereaf
ter be repe alee, there will be the most urgent
reasons for such measure. Whether the pres
emf system is perfect or imperfect, il is much
better that the mind should be reconciled to
them than that they should he undergoing con.
slant notifications,
This territory has existed as an integral
part OF the United States near eight years du-
ring which period its progress in population
and wealth have been rapid. A, the period Of
its transfer TO the American Government, on