The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-02-01

oil taXa5es, two members were given, while
10 each of the last named counties, having
a larger number Of taxables, but one men,
Der is allowed; and the same palpable and
unwarrantable violations of the constitution
characterize many Of the other appoint
meats made by said act. Nor is this ALL
the county of Mifflin was in existence as a
county, when the constitution of l79O was
adopted, and was entitled to a representa-
lives in the Legislature, which, by this act,
was not allowed TO her; but she and Juniata
county, which had formed part of her terri
tory, aro coupled in district with the coun-
ty of Union. II is therefore respectfully
submitted, that due regard 10 the proyis-
ions Of the constitution, and the rights Of
the people, imperiously require the enact
ment of law for new apPor!ionment OF
the representatives and senators, according
10 the number Of taxable inhabitants.
In Pennsylvania it has often been q source
Of complaint that the decisions of our su-
prome cour! are no: reported by regularly
appointed reporter. |, may be worthy of in.
quiry whether some provision ought not to
be made by law for regulating the manner
of reporting those decisions, by an officer
who shall bo responsible TO the common.
tueoi,l, cnr ,to ,,b,aL a., 4,
shall be performed.
The number of cases taken UP on wrils
of error, and be appeal from the inferior
courts 10 the supreme court, has greatly in
creased Of late years. An inquiry into the
causes which have induced this increase,
as well as what means had better be adoDt-
ed 10 enable the court in the last resort to
decide with due care and deliberation, all
the cases Of sufficient importance to be
brought before them, may be productive of
much good TO the administration of justice.
There are some parts of our system oil
administering justice, which will perhaps
require legislative action, in order 10 correct
evils existing in practice, and daily felt by
suitors and others interested in their pro-
ceedings.
The present organization of the courts in
the city and county of Philadelphia, does
mol seem to answer the purposes intended.
The vast increase Of business thrown on
the courts Of civil jurisdiction by the act Of
l4'h April, 1884, giving them almost as
unlimited equity powers as the courts Of
chancery elsewhere possess, as well as the
increase growing cut Of the augmented pop
ulanon and business CT Ihot city end its adj
joining districts have overloaded their dock
cts with causes, which the judges BY their
utmost industry cannot keep down. So
nothing should be done to prevent the delay
now experienced by suitors in those courts,
and what the corrective should be, is sub.
milted TO the legislature.
The court of criminal sessions of the ci-
.y and county OF Philadelphia, also, requires
that Legislative attention should be called TO
il. Il possesses, now, an anomalous char
only exercises part Of the crimi-
nal jurisdiction oflhat city and county. The
whole criminal Jurisdiction conld, perhaps,
be better vested in the court OF oyer and
lorminer and general jail-delvery, and court
of quarter sessions of the peace; and court
Of civilljurlsdiction created for the purpose,
could exercise all the powers now exercis-
ed by the court of common pleas, and per-
haPs dispose of part Of the business which
now accumulates in the district court. Such
a course, by better distribution of the du-
tics Of the court. would add nothing to the
present expense, and would probably cor,
rect the evils and unnecessary expenses,
now incurred by defective organization
and arrangement.
There is however another subject to
which beg leave especially to call your at
ten,ion. In certain counties in Pennsylya-
mia, attempts have been made TO tamPer
with the jury box, and give political as
pee! to the selection Of persons for jurors.
This is an evil which should not for mo-