Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-06-02
ORGANIZATION OF THE JUDICIARY

Among the important duties which will
devolve upon the Convention will be the Or
ganiza,ion of the Judiciary. Whether any
material alteration will be made in the plan
OF our coults as at present constituted, we
are unable TO predict; our present organza.
ton of the judiciary, is we believe superior
TO that which exists in many of tho states,
yet it is doubtless capable of much improve
ment. We hope at all events 10 see en-.
quiry elected on the subject, and the mer-
its Of different plans discussed. In the State
Of New York the reorganization of the ju,
dietary, is at present receiving much atten-
ton, and various plans arc being proposed
for the consideration of the Convention to
be held in June next. We give below the
substance Of a plan which we have seen sug-
gested through The medium of several pres
s,s in that state; we express no particular
preference for it; our only object is TO bring
the subject before the minds Of the people
Abolish all conris 8 they now exist ex-
cept Justices courts; Justices of the Peace
TO have only criminal jurisdiction, such as
they now possess, and the power of issuing
civil process returnable at other courts.
Let there be a County Court; possessing
law and equity jurisdiction, composed of a
Chief Justice and one or more associate Jus
tees, as the extent and business of each
county may demand.
ent.
Let each county be divided into as many
districts as 1t has county Judges, and one
Judge TO reside in each district.
Let the resident Judge hold stated terms
as often as may be necessary in each town
in his district, 10 be called Municipal Cir
cults, to be Courts Of Record; the clerk of
the town to be the clerk of the Court; and
at such terms said Judge to possess and ex-
ercise all original jurisdiction in law and e.
guilty, restricted by certain territorial limits,
over 'all claims of every description and
mount.
Let Justices Of The Peace and Clerks Of
Courts have power to issue process, return
able a. some one of these Circuits. Ia Judg
ments by default, lie; the damages be assess
ed without jury. and judgment entered and
docke,ed there. Let all the pleadings be
heard in that Court, and all issues Of fact
or law,b then tried or heard, and judgment
thereon entered subject 10 revision by the
Courts above.
Let all the pleadings Of these Circuits be
as simple and as summary, as may be con-
sis,ent with the ends ofjustice.
Let these Judges possess all the powers
now exercised by Judges of Probate, and
attend also to that business in these Circuits.
Let all issues offact be tried by the Court,
unless the parties or one Of them, request a
Ijury-such request 10 be made on the first
day Of the term at which the issue is triable
Such Jurors 10 be selected and empannelled
in the manner as is now provided in the high
er Courts. The districts and the times of
holding The Courts TO be regulated by the
boards of Supervisors of each county.
Let the county Judges hold stated terms
in the respective counties 10 hear cases
of appeal, etc. which may arise in their
several circuits, and also to exercise all
criminal jurisdiction now possessed by an,
Of the higher courts.
Divide the state into three Judicial Dis.
tric,s with one Judge 10 each District, TO
be called Supreme Court; the three
Judges to hold stated terms, and to possess
and exercise all law and equity powers 10
correcting the decisions Of the several
County Courts.
The foregoing is condensed sketch Of a