Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-23
THE JUDICIARY OF THIS DISTRICT.

The JUUlClAhf OF THIS DlSIhlCI.
A bill bearing the title of ga bill to reorganize
the Courts Of the District of Columbia and to re-
form and improve the laws thereof passed the
House Of Representatives yesterday, and has been
sent to the Senate for its sanction. Not having
read or seen this bill, and supposing that our citi
Gems will naturally feel deep interest in its pro-
visions, we copy below summary of it which APP
peared in the Sentinel of yesterday morning. In
doing SO, however, we take occasion to remark, as
due to the truth Of history" that our respected
contemporary is mistaken in saying, in reference to
this BILL that in the year 1850 the voters of this
city gave an overwhelming expression" of opinion
in favor of Judiciary reform" The vote thus
characterized by the Sentinel was an informal ex-
preston of opinion by portion of the people of
this District recorded in pursuance of suggestions
in any regular manner calculated to attract serious
notice or To elicit full and intelligent expression Of
the views of the citizens Of this District on so grave
and momentcus question. The whole number of
voters who at that time cast their surages for mu-
nicipal officers exceeded three thousand, of whom
less than thirteen hundred complied with the ire
gular request to vote upon the question of judicial
reform measure that had only been urged and
discussed parte at meetings Of its advocates and
on which its opponents did not feel called upon to
vote, and did not vote. one-sided vote taken un-
der these circumstances and without reference, we
believe, to any specific substitute plan, can hardly
be regarded committing this entire community to
the bill which has just received the sanction Of the
House Of Representatives. Whether that bill is
really measure Of reform or not, we are not now
prepared to say It may, for aught we know, remedy
some defects in existing system; but as far as
we are informed it leaves untouched great evil Of
the system, and that is the enormous tax imposed
on the community in the shape of Judicial expenses.
SUMMARY OF THE BILL.
The bill abolishes the circuit court the district court
the orphans court and the criminal court including the
offices of judges and other Offices connected Herewith.
In place of these it establishes of pleas,
with single judge, to hold three terms year crmi-
nal court with one judge to hold four terms year. The
Office Of register Of wills is abolished, the powers and
duties thereof being vested in and performed by the
clerk of the court Of equity which established court
Of appeals to be composed Of the three judges respec-
lively of the court Of equity the court Of common pleas
and the criminal Each Of the empowered
In either Of the judges shall at any time be disa-
bed from performing his duties by Of sickness
Absence being interested having been of counsel
be otherwise ncapactated it shall be the duty Of
of the other judges who may at such time be least
gagged in holding court perform such duty during such
| incapacity.
It is provided that persons who may hereafter be
charged with Offences not Of the degree of I" capital
otherwise infamous crime may, upon their waiver Of
by jury be tried before the Judge Of the criminal
court, without jury In case the person SO charged
shall for his trial BY jury he shall be tried by
his consent, without presentmeht indictment par ties
| in jail to have priority Of trial
In cases where it may appear fair and impartial trial
be had before jury composed in whole or in part
of citizens of the county it shall be the duty Of the
before which such may be for trial to order
jury, composed exclusively Of citizens not resident in the
places excepted to by the accused party and for that
| purpose the court may order special venire
Each Of the judges Of the courts is to be paid annual
salary Of 000 No person above the age Of sixty
| is to be appointed judge.
The bill gives the details Of the proceedings and pre-
scribes the duties Of the respective officers and makes
provision for revising, simplifying, and codifying the
laws Of the District 1.-THE said code when completed tt
| be submitted to o. vote Of the people.)