Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-22
EOfal am 9frsoHaL
judiciary Reform.-In the House Of Repre-

Judiciary Reform.-In the House Of Repre-
sentalives, yesterday Mr.. May, from the Com
mittee on the Judiciary, reported back the "bil TO
reorganize the Courts in the District OF Columbia
and 10 reform and improve the laws thereof"
IL is known that the subject has occupied this
genieman's attention for some years past, espe-
cially while he was a citizen of Washington and
that he addressed dense assemblages Of The peo-
pie in the spring ofls5O, just the over
wheming expression Of the voters al the polls, in
favor ofjudiciary reform.
Mr.. May, yesterday, explained the various pro-
visions of the bill in his usual forcible style and
the result was, the House, without even having
it read, passed il through the preliminary stages
TO the question gifts passage.
As the subject is of much interest TO the people
of the District Of Columbia generally, brief
synopsis of the contents of the bill will not be
acceptable TO our readers.
The preamble sets forth that since the retrocss-
sion Of Alexandra county to the State Of Virginia,
il has become expedient 10 reduce the number of
judges in this District and curtail the judicial ex-
penses thereof and that il is represented by citi-
zens of the District that the courts shall be
ganized and its laws reformed and improved.
The bill abolishes the circuit cour. the district
court, the orphans court and the criminal court,
including the Offices of judges and other Offices
connected Herewith. In place OF those, il estab-
fishes court of common pleas, with single Judge,
10 hold three terms year; criminal court, with
one judge, 10 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 is established
court of appeals, to be composed Of the three
judges, respectively, Of the court of equity, the
court of common pleas and the criminal court.
Each of the courts is empowered to appoint a
clerk, who shall be entitled to the usual fees In
case either Of the judges shall at any time be dis
abed from performing his duties, by reason Of
sickness, absence, or being interested OF having
been OF counsel or be otherwise incapacitated, il
shall be the duty of one of the other judges who
may at such time be least engaged in holding
court, to perform such duty during such inca
pacity.
It provided, that persons who may hereafter
be charged with offences, not of the degree of "a
capital or otherwise infamous crime" may, upon
their waiver of trial by jury, be tried before the
Judge of the criminal court, without jury. In
case the person so charged shall move for his
trial by jury, he shall be tried by his consent,
without presentment indictment parties in
Jail to have priority atrial.
In cases where it may appear fair and impair
tal trial cannot be had before jury, composed in
whole in part of citizens of the county, il shall
be the duty of the court before which such case
may be for trial, TO order jury, composed ex-
clusvely Of citizens not resident in the places ex
cepted TO by the accused party; and for that pur-
pose the court may order special venire.
Each of the judges of the courts is TO be paid
an annual salary of $4,000. No person above the
age OF sixty years.is 10 be appointed Judge.
The bill gives the details Of proceedings, and
prescribes the duties of the respective officers;
and makes provision for revising, simplifying, and
codfying the laws of the District
The general design of the measure is TO insure
the more speedy execution of justice and AT a
less expense than under the present system,
which, Mr.. May maintained in his speech, is not
in accordance with this enighted age.