Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-29
Proceedings in the Legislature on the
Abolishnent of this Judicial District.

to =
Mr.. SorrugR offered n resolution that the
bill reported by the Select Committee Great
ing new judicial District, or in plain terms,
annhating Judge Wilmot's District, be refer
red back to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. SoUrHER explained the object OF his res
oution, by saying that the bill reported affect
ed his district alone, and none other, he there
fore desired to have an opportunity to appear
before that Committee.
Mr.. BPIL moved to amend the motion. so
IS to refer il back to the Select Committee.
Mr.. coFFgY spoke against the amendment,
and considered it extraordinary that a bill of
this kind should be referred to Select Com
mittee, whilst it properly belonged to the Ju-
dietary Committee but the object OF the re-
ference became at once apparent, when that
committee reported an amended bill annihila-
ting Judge WiImot's District He did not
accuse the select committee of any improper
motive, bat reminded them that it looked very
suspicious
Mr.. CREsswEIL defended his course as
member Of that committee.
Mrssrs. GRkGG, ,SoUrHER and FIyVEY express
ed themselves astonshed at the course purSu-
ed by the select committee in order to get at
SUBJECT htlsCu tutl COuil not push III
other way. The bill was gotten up for the
purpose of gratifying private malice against
another gentlemen, whose case had been be-
fore the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. WILKINS explained his position as chair
man of the judiciary Committee, and remark
ed that the resolution of the Committee, call
ing upon bis accuserS to reduce charges in wri
ting against judge Wlmot, had never been
complied with Ga the other hand, the charges
made against him by political opponents had
not been sustained by his accnscrS, aud stood
to this day unsupported before the committee
Mr. BELL Withdrew his amendment aud the
question recurring. Shall the bill be referred
to the Judiciary Committee 2" 1t was agreed
to-veas l6, nays l3, as follows
YEAs-MeSsrs Baldwin, Cof y, Evans, Fin
ney, Francis Gazzam, Gregg. Harris, Ingram,
Myer, Randall Rutherford, StoGeld, Sheaffer
Souther and Straub-l6.
NAYs-Messrs Bell Brewer, Bnckalew Craig
Crcsswcl, Ely, Fttter, Knox Laubach MarSe
lis, Steele, Turney and WilknS-l3.
On Monlay the judiciary Committee re-
ported the bill as it came from the House, and
when this bill was under consideration, Mr.
OaEsswgLL, who represents the counties Of
Huntingdon and Blair, moved to amend the
same by inserting the following amendment i'll
lieu of the bill reported by the Committee
Sec. That the counties of Jefferson, Clearfeld Elk
Forrest and kean be and they are hereby erected INTO
and separate Judcii district 10 called the 9th
Judicial district and the qualified electors Of said district
shall at the general election the 2nd Tuesday OF Oc
tobsr next elect President Judge for this Common
wealth to serve for ten years from the 4h MONDAY in
December next
Sec. ., That the county Of Bradford is hereby attached
70 and made par- Of the 5th Judicial district and the
q ITH13 n Il hpFph a
part n the 23E Judicial district aad the President Judge
OF the said i.h - I'll Iud, district Shall perform the
duties cf President Judge in the counties attached to
their said district and the Of the several courts in
the said county Of Bradford shall be held the third
Mondays OF February, May September and December Of
eAch year, and cuntlue aS required by law and the
terms Of the several ofthe county Of SusqU1hauua
shall be held the third Mondays of April August, No
venber and January In each year, aud continue
quired by Law Proridei, a0rerer. That the said
rangeucn Of time for holding courts in said counties
shall take effect after the first Monday of December
next.
See. ;: That after the present year the term Of the
several courts in Potter county -hl be held the 4th
cOntiLe week ana that all atS and parts of acts
consistent herewith are hereby repealed.
The bill was fually passed by the following
vote -
YEAs-Nes.r4, Bell, Rewer Blckalcw Craig Cresswcll
Ely, Evans Fettcr. Knox Ialubach Marsclis Miller
Steele Straub, Turncy, Wright and Welsh Speaker-I7
NAls-Aeaars lsI!lwin. Cohty, Finney, Francis,
tsazzam Gregg, Harris Ingram, Myer Randall Ruther-
ford, Scoied, Sheafier Souther, WilNia'-l5
Ghe Telegraph gives a brief report of the
debate whirh We copy =
MsssrS. ScoFIELD, CoFFEy, RANDALL, FINNEY
and MYRR spoke very earnestly against the
amendment Of Mr.. Creosweil Mr. CoFFEY
WAS particularly severe upon the conduct Of
those engaged in this diSreputabIe warfare
against the Judiciary and reminded those who
participated in it, that the blow aimed a Judge
WILHor, If successful would only sever the
thread by which the sword was now suspended
over their beads.
During the discussion Of this sacred question
1--WE call it sacred because we consider it one
Of the most dangerous precedents that can be
estabshed) the notorious PIoLErr was oc-
eupyiug one Of the Committee rooms of the
Senate, afraid sG0w his face 10 doubt fearful
Of being exposed aud rebukcd. and pointed
out to the view OF Senator'S. This man, whose
name has long been identified with political
intrigue and corruption, has been in attendance
at the Capitol during the whole winter, for
the sole purpose Of effectins the abolishmgnt
Of Judge WILMoTs Judicial District
Mr. MEYER, the Senator from Bradford,
spoke very ably against the attempt to dis
franchise his district.
Mr.. ScoF!ELD reminded the Senator from
Chester Mr.. BE!L) that he had been nom
mated for Judge 10y q Republican Governor,
but repudated by the people ; and yet he had
just voted to leTsecute Judge WILMoT.
This Judge BELL represents the district of
Chester and Deaware-a district that is large
ly Republican was elected only because
there were three candidates in the field. He
now votes to abolish district, simply because
Judge WHsor occupies the position Of presd
ing Judge,
Senator RANDALL, Of Philadelphia, took a
noble stand against the proposition Of Mr.
Cresswe ignoring all partlzln association