Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-01
The Courts.

/ The business of our Courts has in the last tw
years, been so much itterrupie by the change o
system adapted to the New Constitution, and b,
other unavoidable causes, that the dockets have
swelled to an exorbitant extent. There are In thu
County Court many plain cases which have no
been called for several years; and the docket o
the Circuit Court is as much in arrears. But boil
Courts now evince in the despatch of business
patience of labor and industry which must sool
reduce into control even these unwieldy dockets.
The Circuit Court which has been in continue
session since the lst November, adjourned on yes
terday to meet again on the 3lst January-mean
time Judge Thompson goes to day to Charlottes
vile to attend the session of the District Court o
Appeals now in session at that place. The ad
iourned session in January will be devoted-witf
the exception of some ''Wil cases" specially Sc
for trial-to the Chancery docket, (which the Cour
has declared determination to reduce, f to do sol
require session until tn , Spring Courts com
mence.
The Court has also intimated an intention o
holding session through the months ofJune, Ju
ly and August-throughou next summer-lf ne
cessary to reduce the common law docket, famll
ary known as 'the Jury cases.
The County Court has declared the like deter,
mnaton to despatch its accumulated business, il
persevering and patient labor will accomplish thai
end.
| hos nia11 inn
ed for the rial of the Chancery and appeal docket
and for the many road cases now pending. "'lry
or continue at cost of the delinquent party" is the
inallbe rule adopted, and suitors had better take
notice.
| At the last Nov term, an order was entered re-
questng our Delegates and Senator to obtain from
the Legislature, special act,auhorzlng the Court
of this County, for the greater despatch of accu-
I INFLATED business, to extend its Monthly terms to
session of twelve days if necessary; to allow the
discretion of trying the Commonwealth's cases at
any Monthly term; and to authorize the Clerk to
prepare docket and apporton the ca les Go nmo:
wealth's cases also to particular days OF the term
and to summon the witnesses for the respective
days. only, to which the several cases are set.
! This Court has been re-nvigorated and great
( ly improved under the new Constitution; for
p:omptness, punctuaity and dispatch, it promises
to be all that could be desired. 1t was fortunate
in the selection of Presiding Justice ;-Colonel
CRAwFoRD has proved himself so far peculiarly
fitted for the position his knowledge of law,
and practical experience in. the business of Courts
prepared him to know and apply the remedy to the
complaints heretofore existing, and his urbane de
pertinent in office secure him the esteem and CO.
operation of all the officers Of the Court.
STEAMER Crescent CIrY.-The New York
papers state that this steamer is not to depart from
that city for Havana on the 9th, her regular day.
The Herald says
The Crescent City is not to return to Havana
this trip. But this is not to be attributed to any
interference on The part of or government, or any
change in the policy or sentiments of the company,
but is simply owing to the fact that on her last
trip up the Mississippi she encountered slight
| disaster. which renders it necessary that she lie
placed in the dock for repairs. The steamer Cher
okee has, therefore, been substituted for the Cres
cent City. and is to leave this port on the 9th
inst, for Havana. The officers and crew of the
Crescent City have been consequently transferred
to the Cherokee, including the now somewhat dis
tnguished individual" Mr.. Puser Smith. 1t is,
therefore, fixed fact, and eyond al manner of
doubt, that Mr.. Smith, in defiance Of the threat of
the Captain General, is TO return to Havana,
though it is not SO certain that Lieut.. Davenport
will 90 out in command of the Cherokee
The Washington correspondent of the Herald,
under date of the 24th ut., says
The Government is determined to put stop to
the controversy between Cuba and the Crescent
CITY if possible Midshipman Davenport was sent
for on the arrival of the Crescent City, and order
ed at once to sea. Since then. however, the or
der has been so far modified as to give him leave
of absence for the present, but witdrawing him
from the steamer. His letter to the Cuban au-
thorites is very much disapproyed of by all par
ties, as indscreet and uncaled for in his position.
1t was sufficient for the company to express their
views when the letter of the Cuban authorities
was placed before them.
The Crescent City is not regular mail steam
err. having only been permitted to carry the mails
by sulferance The Post Office Department will
not. therefore, send any more mails by her. I'm
der the contracts with the mail steamers, the law
provides that they shall be commanded by officers
of the grade of lieutenant Thus in every respect
the government have the advantage in the present
case. The Crescent City is not mail steamer,
and if she were, Midshipman Davenport has no
right to command her.
1t is understood that when Lieut.. Porter was
withdrawn from the Crescent City, Lieut.. Sche
neck was to take his place, but being absent MIR.
Davenport was temporarily appointed. 1t is W
tb, / Sob will nCf no NOR
mtted to command the Crescent City till the diff
fo,ltv ic odiusted