Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-10-13
Our present judicial svstem.

our present judicial System.
we invite the attention of our readers and espe.
cally the attention Of the members of the Lepsla.
ture to the following communication which is from
the pen OF one of most enlightened citizens
oor correspondent has made a strong showing in
favor OF an additional Superior Court Circuit, and
we think it highly probable that such Circuit will
be established by the next Legislature:
10 HIS Ercellency, Coz. Bragg: ..,-
The approaching session of the General Assembly
promises to be one of the most important sessions
That has been held for years. The questions of the
nanks ana currency, Revenue and Taxation, Rail.
roao improvements and the election of two United
otates Senator'S are all matters of the greatest i'm.
portance. Of these matters it is not nv purpose
10 say anything, but am content to leave them to
Tue Legislature. 1t is my purpose, however,
10 ask your attention to some facts connected
WIN subject OF great Importance to the people of
.Le I'ate; l mean our present Judicial system,
"h'ch deem as radically defective and as doing
great injustice alike to the bench and to the public
In 1916, when the Superior Courts were established
IN each county, there 60 counties in the State
ana the Circuits were arranged with ten counties in
saIh' win SIX Judges and compensation of ninety
collars the court Thus things remained for twenty
years. In 1886 Seventh Circuit was estab.
iished and the salary fixed at nineteen hundred and
nifty dollars per annum The expenses of the Judges
on the circuits are at least twenty-five per cent more
now than when this salary was established Then
the expense at a court for man and horse was from
ten to twelve dollars--now il will AVERAGE ffta.n
the court Then the expense of his family at home
IS much greater now than then. Thus the system
now stands, with the addition of ninety dollars for
each court over twelve in the circuit The Counties
nave increased to s5, with sc courts, New Hanover
having two weeks. According to the present mr..
rangement the four first circuits have 43 weeks
and the three western circuits 40 counties and 43
weeks. Is this either fair just equal? What
ever may happen to his family the Judge has no
chance OF returning to their relief; and whatever
may De the state OF the docket has to be tried bv
Judge worn down by a series of four months con-
slant service or be continued. What is the remedy?
The establishment of an additional circuit. to dis.
pense with the ninety dollars a court, and in
lieu thereof give the Judges salary of two thou
sand dollars. How would the thing then stand in
point OF arrangement and expense? You would
leave the first four Eastern circuits as thew now
stand with ten counties in the First and Third and
IN the Second. and twelve in the Fourth making 43
in the four. Out of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh
circuits you would establish the Eighth, so as to
make twelve in the Fifth ten in the Sixth eleven in
the Seventh, and ten in the Eighth: thus making
43 courts in the four, and establishing a perfect
equality between East and West Can any fair
minded man object to this?
How Will the arrangement stand as to expenses
The seven Judges at 81 $50, is 1860
The extra allowance in the 5th, 9th, and 7th
Circuits, 1850
Making sl4,s1o
Eight Judges at 81, ooO each, 10000
The increase would only be 81 900, and the pub.
lie would gain all additional circuit, and have an
equality in their arrangement Let general bill be
passed, such as is Annexed and then let the MEM
bers representing the counties in the 9th, 9Th 7th
and 9Th circuits meet and pledge themselves to be
! governed by majority, and my word for it. there
will be no difficulty. submit the plan to your bet
| ter Judgment and proper sense of justice.
| FIAT JUSTITIA.
| Be 1t enacted, &c, That of the Counties compo-
sing the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh judicial circuits
there shall be established Eighth circuit, and the
four circuits shall be divided and arranged as nearly
! equal as the public convenience shall permit.
Be it further enacted That the eight Judges shall
receive, compensation for their services,
nual salary of two thousand dollars each, to be paid
| semiannualy.
National Agricultural Exhibition.
We learn that Richmond, Va, has been selected
as the place for the sixth National Agricultural Ex
hibition, which will be held throughout the week
commencing October 25th. The United States Agri-
cultural Society has been invited join the Virginia
Central Agricultural Society, and it is confidently
tcipated that the display of stock, products mpie
|
ton, Philadelphia, Louisville and Springfield. 1t is
the first of these national fairs held in southern
State and the sons of the Old Dominion, with that
cordially and hospitality for which they are dstin-
guished will welcome competitors from other States,
and will bring their best 1ocks and herds, and hor-
ses, and manufactures in generous rivalry to COM
pete for the prizes. Prizes amount to $4,000
The grounds being put in the best order The
opeuing exercises will include addresses by Presi-
dent James Lyons, of the Virginia Central Society
Gov Wise, chairman of the committee of reception
and President Tghman, Of the United States society.
An address will be delivered during the fair by Gen.
Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts, and the valedctory
will be pronounced by Hon. w. c. Rves. There
will also be banquet, at which eloquent gentlemen
from various sections expected to speak, many oil
them having accepted invitations to be present
President Buchanan is expected to be present.
The STATEsvILLE CELEBRATIoN.-The celebration
at Statesville, of the completion of the Western n
c. Railroad to that place, will take place tomorrow
Ten thousand people are expected to be present II
will be joyous occasion, and one long to be re-
membered in that part of the State. :
H Gen. Thos j. Person, of Northampton has
purchased the "Level" plantation from Mr.. II. K
Burgwyn for little over $50, 900, being upwards o.
thirty dollars per acre. This is one Of the finest
tracts of land in the Oconeeche Neck, and, as its
name implies, is perfectly level. Gen. Person is one
of the most successful farmers on the Roanoke ano
deserves great credit for the energy, industry ane
talents which have raised him from comparative Oh
scurity to distinction. He is emphatcay a self
made man, and we always record with pleasure thu
success and good fortune of such men.