Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-12-12
HOUSE OF REPREsENTlVEs.

The House met pursuant 10 adjournment.
Lott; referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Simpson presented the memorial Of Robert
Cunningham and George Anderson, PRAYING for
a recharler of certain ferry over Sauda river.
Referred to the Committee on Roads, Bridges,
and Ferries.
Mr. Rice presented The petition of J. Gregory
and others, praying for the opening of n certain
road; referred 10 the Committee on Roads,
Bridges and Ferries.
Mr.. Simpson, from the same committee, re.
ported on accounts Of G. NJ. Calhoun & De.
Vaux, A. J. Burke, w. J. DuPrr, w. NJ. Gregory;
and begged TO be discharged from the further
consideration of the petition Of J. and A. Chap.
man leave being granted, on motion the peti.
ton was referred to the Committee on Public
Buildings. Tho same Committee asked and were
discharged from tie further consideration of the
petition of John E. Mcdonald, praying to be re-
leased from the payment Of certain debt due
by him to the State.
Mr.. Sullivan, from the Committee on Educa-
ton, reported favorably by bill on the petition
of the Commissioners of Free Schools for St.
Phillips and St. Michael's, praying 10 be autho-
rized to sell and convey certain tract OF land :;
read the first time and ordered for second
reading tomorrow.
Mr.. A. S. Wallace, from the Committee on
Pensions, reported favorably on the petition Of
Jacob PERSONAL, praying that his name might be
placed on the pension rolls Of this State and re-.
commended that the sum of ninety-six dollars
be paid to The said Jacob Presnal, in two equal
instaIments, in order to allow him 10 perfect his
claim against the Untod States; ordered for
consideration tomorrow.
Mr. Hearst, from the Medical Committee, re-
ported on the accounts of DR.. Ebert Bland, Drs
Wylie, Strait and Blair. Ordered for considera-
lion tomorrow.
Pursuant to notice, Mr. Wilkes introduced
bill to alter and amend the attachment laws Of
this State. Read the first time, and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
The Special Order, viz: certain resolutions by
Mr.. Mitchell concerning separate Court Of
Appeals, was then called up.
Mr.. Sullivan advocated the necessity of the
changes proposed, and considered this question
az being one Of the greatest importance; that
after twenty years experience rs lawyer he
was prepared to say unhesitatingly that the pre-
sent judiciary system Of South Carolina was
totally inadequate for the administration of JUS
tice in such manner rs was intended by the Con-
stu,ion. Mr. Sullivan argued with much force
and ability in favor Of separate Court Of Ap-
peals.
lie was followed by Mr.. B. F. Perry, who
said he did not rise to make speech. He
would have not said one word upon the question
had il not been asserted that this measure was
Charleston measure, and that it was necessary
for the up country members of the bar to ex.
press their opinions. 1t has been said that we
should first show that there wis an evil before
We point out remedy. There was an evil in
the present system, and he would endeayor to
show it. He would first say that the members
of the bar in the upper districts, with the single
exception of Abbeville perhaps, were unanimous
ly in favor of separate Court of Appeals
Under the present system it was impossible to
despatch the business of the Court as it should
be done. During the last summer Judge Ward
law ordered extra courts in the Districts OF
Laurens, Abbevile, and Spartanburg. and he
was told by distinguished member of the
Spartanburg bar that upon the adjournment of
the extra Court at that place there was moro
business left unfinished than the next Judge
could possibly get through with. It wus seri-
GUS grievance to have business delayed. Wit
nesses are kept at our Court Houses from Mon
day morning until Saturday night, and are then
discharged and returned to attend an extra Court.
Every extra Court costs the District from 81 900
to $4,000. Should not this great evil be reme-
died!
Our Judges leave their homes in September,
in order to begin their circuit in October, and
are kept engaged until November, when they
come to Columbia to sit in the Courts of Ap-
peals, where they remain for three weeks, and
after spending the holidays al home, 60 to Char.
lesion TO the Court Of Appeals, where they sit
for nix weeks, and adjourn only in time to com.
mence their circuits again. In May, they arc
compelled TO be in Columbia, to hear the appeal
cases. They wore engaged eight months in the
ycar, and often in the summer season they have
to attend extra courts. He wonld have Court
of Appeals to consist of not moro than three
Judges, where we have now ton, and thereby
dispense with the services of seven Judges, or
employ them on the circuit.
1t has been said that to hare separate Court
of Appeals would degrade our Judges. If there
was such Court, our Judges would not relax,
but would have an ambition to rise higher.
Judges should read, for it is better to become
acquainted with the laws by reading than in
travelling over the circuits. So constantly en-
pIoyed are they in taking notes and hearing ar
gument, that they have no time to read the law.
1t has also been said that the Judges of the
separate Appeal Court would be isolated from
the people. 1t might he necessary for 4 poli-
clan to become familiar with tho people, but