Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-22
House of Representatives.

house OF Representatives.
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes
sage from The President OF the United States, in
answer to resolution of the House Of Repre-
sentatives of the 9Th of July last, covering the
correspondence Of the Secretary of State with
the Government of the Netherlands, in relation TO
The case of Captain Gibson. Referred TO the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
MI. ORR expressed the hope that the committee
would give TO this subject their earnest and most
considerable attention. He said il seemed that the
efforts of this Government TO adjust the matter by
diplomatic means had tailed. Ii presents a very
grave question; and he trusted the committee
would consider the subject, and report at an early
day.
The SPEAKER also laid before the House
communication from the Treasury Department,
relative TO the contingent fund Of the Department.
Laid on the table, and ordered 10 be printed ~
And, likewise, communicaton'from the Post
Office Department, transmitting estimates for the
Department, including those for the mail steamer
service Referred TO the Committee on Ways
and Means.
Mr.. VANSANT introduced bill 10 provide for
the accommodation Of the courts of the United
States in the district of Maryland, and for post
Office for the city of Baltimore Referred to the
Committee the Judiciary.
On motion by Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee
II was resolved that the Committee on the Judi
ciary be instructed 10 inquire whether any further
Legislation Is necessary for the better protection
OF officers of the United States, and other persons
report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. MACY introduced bill making appropria-
lions for the commencement and completion OF
the public works in Wisconsin therein named I;
and a bill making appropriations for completing
certain public works heretofore commenced un.
der authority of law Referred 10 the Committee
on Commerce.
On motion by Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, the
Committee on Commerce requested 10 in
quire into the expedency Of purchasing lot and
constructing q building uitable the accommo-
dstion of custom house, post Office and district
court of the United States, in Alexandra, Vir-
ginia.
Mr. MAXWELL introduced BILL which was
referred 10 the Committee on the JUDICIARY, max
Tag provision for holding The United States courts
in Florida, in of the sickness disability Of
either Of The Judges.
Oh motion by Mr.. SIMMONS, The Committee
on Commerce was instructed TO inquire into the
expediency of providing, by law, for The compile
ton of the breakwater AT the harbor of Plaits-
burg, on Lake Champlain; and the purchase Of a
site for building for post Office, custom house,
and the United States courts.
On motion by Mr. RICHARDSON, the Com
mitiee on Territories was authorized TO employ a
clerk for forty days, al the rate OF four dollars a
day.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Rhode Island, presented the
resolutions of the Legislature Of that State in rea
ton 10 the soldiers of the Of 1912, the estab.
ltshment Of naval depot al Narragansett bay, and
cheap postage. Laid on the table, and ordered TO
be printed.
The bill authorizing the corporation Of George.
town 10 impose taxes Tor the purpose Of meeting
its subscription 10 the metropolitan Railroad Com.
pany, and TO light the city with gas, and supply
the inhabitants with water, was passed-Yeas So,
nays GO.
Mr. MAY, from the Committee on the Judci.
airy, reported bill organizing the courts in the
District of Columbia, and 10 reform and improve
the laws thereof
He stated that the President, in December,
1883, referred 10 this subject in his message,
which was accompanied by report from the AT.
torney General. These documents were referred
10 the Committee the Judiciary, Of which he
was a member. bill 10 remedy existing defects
in the judiciary was reported by him in June last,
but was recomitted for the purpose OF modifca-
ton, which having been effected il was now again
reported.
He gave the history and plan Of the existing
courts in this District, and said the laws were the
same they were al the time ofthe deed Of ces-
sion by Maryland, without alteration or improve
ment in the scheme Of Jurisprudence, except here
and there an exception, which he might term a
tinkenng, and which, in the opinion OF many legal
men, rather dishgured than improved the code.
The system, he repeated, was extremely defective
as be proceeded TO show. The people Of the Dis
trict were almost unanimous for the abolition OF
the present Judiciary system; and, in this connec-
ton, said that, in June, 1850, the question was
taken at the polls of this city, and while twelve
hundred and seventy -four persons voted for re-
form, but twenty-seven voted against IL.
The present system, he argued is too large and
cumberous, and the process too slow; besides,
unnecessarily expensive. The bill which he had
introduced, proposes 10 abolish the present sys.
TEN altogether, and 10 establish other courts in
the place of those now existing; the design being
10 facilitate the administration Of justice, having
view TO economy.
Mr.. BRIDGES moved that the bill be nut on
its passage, and demanded the previous question.
He, however, withdrew the motion al The re.
quest Of
Mr.. ELIOT, OF Massachusetts, who mentioned
several reasons why there should not be hasty
action on the subject. With some acquaintance
with the learned Judges who now 6Il the Offices
proposed TO be abolished by the bill he conld moi
ST still and see them ruthlessly and roughly de-
cspitsted He did not understand that the people
OF the District Of Columbia had been heard in The
matter al ALL as in all cases where the courts are
10 be revoulionized.
He replied TO some Of the remarks OF Mr.. MAY,
and spoke Of the ability, faithfulness, and diligence
OF the judges who occupy the bench Of the circuit
court for the District Of Columbia He denied
that there was constitutional power 10 legislate
those Judges out Of Office, they hold their places
during good behavior, according 10 the terms OF
their appointment.
Mr.. JONES, OF Tennessee, moved the previous
question, and the motion was agreed TO.
Under its operation, the bill was ordered 10 a
third reading.
Pending the question on the passage OF the
bill,
The House adjourned.