Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-22
CONGRESsaO

In the Senate, yesterday, after we went to
press, the bill to establish court for the in
vestigation of claims was passed, with sundry
amendments.
twas then agreed that when they adjourned
on Friday they would adjourn to meet on
Tuesday next. After which they adjourned.
- In the House, the bill to allow the corpo
ration OF Georgetown to lay an additional tax
for Railroad purposes, and to light their CITY
with gas, was passed-years 80, nays G..
Mr.. May reported from the Judiciary COM
niittee,a bill organizing the Courts in the
District of Columbia, and to reform and i'm
prove the laws thereof, moving to put this bill
on its passage.
Mr.. May (aesoFdiag to- the Ssntinefs report
stated that the President, in December, 1853,
referred to this subject in his message, which
was accompanied by report from the Attor-
ney General these documents were referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary, of which
he was member. A bill to remedy existing
defects in the judiciary was reported by him
in June last, but was recommitted for the pur-
pose of modification, which having been effect
ed, it was now again reported.
He gave the history and plan of the exist
ing courts in this District, and said the laws
were the same as they were at the time of the
deed Of cession by Maryland, without altera-
ton or improvement in the scheme of juris-
prudence, except here and there an exception
which he might term tinkering, and which
insthe opinion of many legal men, rather dis
figured than improved the code. The system
he repeated, was extremely defective, as he
proceeded to show. The people of the District
were almost unanimous for tho ABOLITION Of the
present judiciary system; and, in this connec-
ton, said that in June, 1850, the cues ton was
twelve, hundred and seventy four persons
voted for reform, but twenty seven voted
against it! ----------.----.=--.
The present system, he argued, is too large
and cumberous, and the process too slow; be-.
sides, unnecessarily expensive The bill which
he had introduced, proposes to abolish the
present system altogether, and to establish
other courts in the place of those now existing;
the design being to facilitate the administra.
ton Of justice, having view to economy.
Mr.. Bridges moved that the bill be put on
its passage, and demanded the previous ques.
ton. He, however, withdrew the motion at
the request of
n1I. Hiiot, af Mass who mentioned several
reasons why there should not be hasty action
on the subject. With some acquaintance with
the learned judges who now fill the Offices pro.
posed to be abolished by the bill, he could not
sit still and see them ruthIessIy and roughly
docapitated. He did not understand that the
people Of the District of Columbia had been
heard in the matter at ALL as in all cases where
the courts are to be revolutioned He replied
to some of the remarks of MIR. May, and spoke
of the ability, faithfulness, and diligence of
the judges who occupy the bench of the cir
emit court for the District of Columbia. He
denied that there was constitutional power to
legislate those judges out of Office as they hold
their places during good behavior, according
to the terms Of their appointment.
Mr.. Jones, of Tenn, moved the previous
question, and the motion was agreed to- and
the bill was ordered to third reading
Pending the question On the passage of the
bill, the House adjourned