Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-31

| w iSCASSET, Oct. 70, lo0U.
One court follows fast upon another. The
Supreme Court, after session of FIVE weeks
and four days, adjourned on Friday, the 18th
inst, and the District Court commenced its DC.
tober term on the following Tuesday, the 22d
inst, Judge RICE upon the bench
The old docket comprises thousand and
eighty-one actions, and there was about usu.
al entry of new actions the present term, three
hundred and eighty-nine. A term of four OF
five weeks-one or two of which will probably
be consumed by criminal business-will avail
but little in clearing this immense docket
Thus the necessity for change in our iudic-
iary system is becoming every day more appa-
rent, and we trust that the committee appoint
ed for this purpose by the las, legislature, will
be fully impressed with this fact, and report
some judicious plan at an early day of the ses-
sion.
A writer in the Lime Rock Gazette (whom
we recognize as one of the ablest members of
the bar,) in alluding to the term of the Su-
preme Court just closed, makes the following
able remarks -
1T has sometimes happened that town Of
ficers have not exercised all the care and at.
lentIOn necessary 10 secure competent juries
in our courts-from which disastrous circum-
stance. an argument has been raised in GER
tain quarters against the institution of trial
by Jury, and il has, accordingly, been more
than minated from that direction that Jurors
lty f,tita Ipcanahlo Of
comparing and analyzing for themselves !;
and that frequently, if not generally, The most
they accomplished was TO watch the suppos.
ed limitations OF the presiding Judge-which
they often Inexperienced or misunderstood
SO that practically they are the meresl
amanuenses OF the Court, and their verdict
SIMPLY the reflection OF his supposed views
or wishes. But all such impuiations upon
that institution have been well rebuked at
this term for it is well known to be matter
of proud remark that both juiies were men
of much intelligence, good sense and sound
judgment, eminently rejecting credit on the
several towns in the County, which they re-
speciively represented, while their verdicts
have been well calculated to inspire addition
al confidence in the trial by Jury.
The term has been an interesting one, and
cided and thus il is, that the great princi
piles of law and justice are rightly and wisely
| vindicated, aud auIhoritatiyely maintained
among US.
But 1t is painfully true that there is how.
ever, one dark spot in our otherwise CRAFTY
ing picture. We allude to the DELAYS of the
law-the grievous waste oftine and money.
Notwithstanding the great desire almost
universally manifested TO dispose of as much
business as possible,and the worthy and uni
ted efforts of the Court and the Bar to accom-.
plish that object, there was not sufficient
time 10 Try more than iwo-thirts of The Iiti :
gate actions upon the docket, and in some
instances when the parties and witnesses
had been in attendance for DAYS and weeks
at much expense. their cases have necessa-
riY gone over TO The next term 10 be held in
one year from this time. subjeclng parties to
additional and accumu lallng expenses. The
District Court for this County commences
The fall Term on Tuesday Of this week. at
Wiscasset, and we understand that this
court also has very heavy docket of con-
tinued actions, some of which have survived
all the original parties thereto, and the coun-
sci who originated the suits.
These are the laws delays. Let some of
matters, suggest The relief with the proper
modus operand. Give us justice PROMPTLY
AND WITHOUT DELAY"
So much the people demand, and the
claim is but reasonable and just.''
The same writer also pays the following just
tribute to His Honor, Judge WELLS:
"The Judge, it is believed, has made him
self very acceptable to the profession and to
those who have had occasion to visit or do busi-
ness in his Court,-his rulings were generally
regarded as sound and judcious, and his charg-
es TO the juries distinguished for their direct
ness to the real points in issue, for clearness of
perception, and felicity in communicating in =
clear, plain and comprehensive manner, the
exact principles upon which the several cases
rested. And it is eminently due TO the Judge
to say that he presides with nnquestionabe
ability, and well sustains on the Bench the
n.eh reputation he so long and justly enjoyed
yer"