New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-20
THE SOUTHERN CONGRESS.
THIRTY-FoURTH DAY.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March -


n, Cavton Of Mississippi reported bill establish
kn0 Court of Admiralty and Maritime Jur!sdcn"n IN
khe State of Mississippi lie SAID u was iGs SAINT Oii
as that which established similar court al hey nes
n the state of Florida there being other change IN
khe hill than what was rendered necessary by the
change Of names in the locality. .
Mr.. Hale of Ala.-It seems TO me, Mr. fTesloeh'
that the bill which has just been reported shouo De re-
Ssrred 10 the Judiciary Committee. 90 not sec the
XAcessity of establishing such court In Mississippi
while the District Court Of that State would have
jurisdiction over the same causes that the Admiralty
Eourt woull lave, i see more necessity o. estAD-
hsbjng court OF Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction
In Mississippi distinct from the District Court than
there would be in establishing such courts IN any OF all
IL the States of this Contederacy. For example Ia
Mobile why siiould we establish there an ADMIRALTY
Court and Maritime jurisdiction when the DIstIlct
Court bas cogIizanCe Of al such causes as woai come
before the forp.er court And the sane remark may
fPPy to ell the States For tins reason move '"' Tie
bhl be referred 70 the Judiciary ColnTERtee.
Hr. Clayton-I beg leave, Mr.. President, 10 stale
that that bill has already been before the JudCary
Committee. The gentleman from Alabama mt. Haiel
was absent at the time. The bill was drawn ny by
fhe Chairman of TIE Judiciary Committee, uneer the
instruction Of majority OF that COMMITTEE that at
aspded the sitting OF The Committee So much for that
objection to th bill In regard 10 the necessity Tor the
1 differ with the gentleman think there is great
necessity for Court OF Admiralty IN the State OF Mis-
ssspp ana thai tie Judge Of that Court should reside
% tue bank Of that riyer rat stleS Wasnes the
border of Mississippi for about five hundred miles, ana
Il l. wholly impossible for the revenue Laws which
have been passed by the Confederate States 10 oe en-
forced unless there &c some Judge iesldlDS IN conye
hent locality to take eOgnizance OF liractons OF our
revenue laws Judge reading Ii the Interior or az
Sty point not contiguous TO the river would be wholly
unse TO discharge the duties Of that Office and enforce
the collection of revenue unoer our laws
Mr.. HaleI can only say, Mr. President, that, 20 far
as am concerned, being member OF tie judiciary
Committee was not aware that that bill had been be-
fore them. So lar reference has been mace 70 tne
enforce ment of the revenue laws IN the state o Mlsss
a ~ ,f larGu1
banks Of that river fo that purpose, can see no more
necessity for il than that there should be the same
Court al Mobile 1t was indi. ated by some member,
the other day that the business OF the Dlstict Judge
would be very small and bis Office almoft siLecure
III this be true then we should expect that the District
Judges would be fully able to attend 10 all the matters
cognable by the Admiralty Courts, AND to hold sucA
ours Ia any part Of the State Nor do see any more
reason for establishing Court OF Admiralty 10 Mlssls
aipri 10 enforce the revenue laws, than there lie 70
have such COut in Mobile, Charleston or Savannah
for the salns purpose ana mus we hnSht 20 on IN
definitely increasing the number OF these Courts for
which there is no sort Of necessity snail, therefore,
insist Oh by motion TO refer the oil 70 the Judiciary
Committee.
ant that Court Of Admiralty should be held al the
Mace stated in the bill Nicksburg, but do not see
Che necessity 10 have any other than the District Court
90 attend 70 such matters. We have limited the lurls
dicton Of District Courts 10 sums excee1ng S5,OOD
As Mississippi has but one port she had none under tue
United States Government, think that the duties OF
the udge Of that District Court viii be merely Dom-
inal and it is well to gge him these sddon duties
10 attend to- While differ with the gentleman from
mississippi in regard 10 the necessity Of separate
Court OF Admiralty also differ with my colleague Ia
ention the Necessity OF the Judge residing ON the
banks Of the Mississippi River.
Nr. Hale (nterrapting)-I cid not say there was no
pesesty for the Judge 10 Teside at the place on the
river where the CouIt was to be holden, but merely
said did no, regard il necessary 10 have distinct
Court The Judge Of the District Court should reside
e. that place and hold ms courts there.
Mr.. Smith iresumng)-I agree with nv colleague
Chat the Judge resting in the interior could not dis
charge the duties OF Judge at the Admiralty Court and
further agree win him, that the District Judge would
Be able to discharge al the duties, especially as TO the
Jurisdiction OF That Court, 80 as 70 exclude all cases
up0er s., 900. FL. #.
BIZ. ClaytOn-I withdraw ali objections to the ref
1Fenoe.
=. Mr. Hale-I modify my motion, as to place the
6ill on the cslendar and have il printed.
Ms. Clayton-I have no objections.
TIE bill was then placed on the public calendar and
ordered 70 be printed.
Congress then went into secret session.