New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-16

The reorganization Of the judicial circuits and dis
tricts of the United States, and, in fact, of the
whole judiciary system, is subject of the highest
importance and Of pressing necessity. and We are
glad 10 see disposition evinced in the House of
Rpret eDtatives at Washington to take it into con-
side ration. We allude to the vote of the House to
suspend it's rules to give Mr.. Stanton of Ohio an
opportunity TO introduce a resolution bearing upon
tbs subject, and the adoption of that resolution by
the House
Whether we regard the matter merely in refer
ence to the due administration OF justice as respects
individuals or whether we look at the Federal
Courts, and particularly the Supreme Court as
weight in the political scale, in either point OF view
the system it exists at present stands greatly in
need of amendment. Looked at as means for the
administration of justice the country has entirely
outgrown the system, which has thus become as
to, ally inadequate to the functions which it IL called
upon to perform as the jacket, pantalOOns, shoes,
stockings and cap of boy of twelve are to consti-
tute comfortable and even decent clothing for full
grown msu As originally adopted the system Sc
cured, or at least aimed TO secure, decision of
cases with reasonable speed, by Courts so const-
tut.d as to inspire reasonable degree of public
confidence. by the subsequent attempts to stretch
i, it has been pulled out of all shape, and ell It's
original adaptation totally lost
By the Judiciary act as first passed, the Supreme
Court consisted of six Judges, who were to
hold tuo sessions annually at the seat of Govern
ment for the exercise of the jurisdiction, entirely
appellate except in one or two cases conferred
upon them by the Constitution. Each State, then
as now, had its District Court, successors to the
old Royal Admiralty Courts, having cOgnizance Of
sll civil cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdic-
ton, including cases of seizure under the reveoue
laws, all suits for penalties and foreitures under
avs of the United States, and all civil suits to
which the United States were party where the
matter in dispute exceeded hundred dollars in
value. To this was added the administration of the
criminal us tice of the United States in cases OF MN
or Importance. The States were also grouped into
three Circuits, and Circuit Courts were held semi.
annually in each District beside special Courts
when necessary for the trial OF criminal cases. by
sny two Judges Of the Supreme Court; with whom
was also to sit the Judge Of the District. These
Courts served as Courts of Appeal from the Dis
trict Courts, while they had jurisdiction OF the
more serious criminal ofenses against the laws of
the United States and of civil suits under the
Constitution and laws of the United States, an
sppeal lyiog SIS to matters of law to the Supreme
Court.
The first modification of this system-laying GU.
Of view the short-liyed changes introduced by ths
Judiciary set passed at the close of John Adams's
Administration, but repesled by JeAerson's first
| CcpgIess-wss the increase in 1902 of Sde Circuits
to six, single Judge of the Supreme Court being
assigned to each of these Circuits Since that
period the lumber Of States has doubled, bat the
lumber Of Supreme Judges and cf Circuits has only
been increased to pine. Nor is this the only diff
Guilty in the arrangement Of these nine Circuits.
No regard whatever has been paid to the relative
amount Of business transacted. The amount Of
business depends chiedy uPoa the commerce and
especially the navigation Of the country; bat in ar
ranging the Circuits these considerations are left
| g. :ir,s oct ct tbs Account. T2Ns Maine.