Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-10-17
TPUDLIC-No. 93.7

An Act 10 reorganize the Courts in the Dis.
trict of Columbia, and for other Purposes.
BE IL enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives cfhhe United States Of Amer
ica IN Congress assembled, That there shall
be established in the District of Columbia a
court to b. called the supreme court of tho
District of Columbia which shall have gener-
al jurisdiction in law and equity. 1t shall
consist Of four justices. one of whom shall be
denominat-d as chief justice. These justices
shall be appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate.
and shall hold their Offices during good be-
havior. Each justice, before he enters npon
the duties ofhis Office. shall take tho oath pre-.
scribed to be taken by judges Of the courts Of
the United States. Any three of said justices
may hold general term, and any one Of
them may hold special term. OF circuit court
as hereinafter provided. A speciA term may
be- held mt the same time with circuit court
and by the same justice.
Sec. 2. And be IL further enacted, That
the said court shall have power to appoint a
clerk, who shall take the oath, and give a
bond, with suretips. in the manner prescribed
bv Inv for clerks of district courts Of the
United Sta'es.
SEC Ind be IL .f3rtAer ena,ted, That
the supreme court organized by this act shall
possess thu same powers and exercise the
same jurisdiction as ia now possessrd and ex-
rrcisrd by the circuit court of the District Of
Columbia. and the justices of the court SO or
ganized shall severally possess the powers
and exercise the Jurisdiction now possessed
and exercised by the judges Of said circuit
court. Any ono Of said justices may hold
district court of the United States for the
District of Columbia, in the same manner and
with the same powers and Jurisdiction pos
s.'ssed and exercised by other district courts
Of the United States. Any one of said jus.
tices may also hold criminal court for the
trial Of all crimes and offences arising within
said district, which court shall possess the
same powers and exercise the same jurisdic.
tion now possessed and exercised by the crimi-
nal court Of the District Of Columbia.
Sec. 1. And be it further enacted, That
general terms of the said supreme court shall
be held at the same times at which terms Of
the circuit court of the District of Columbia
are now required to b. held. and at the same
place. District courts and criminal courts
shall also be held by one Of said justices at
the several times when such courts are now
required by law to b. held, and at the same
place.
Sec. s. Asd be it further enacted. That
special terms Of aid supreme conrt shall BE-
held by one of said Justices. at snch time or
times as the said court. in general term, shall
appoint. Non.enumerated motions in all suits
and proceeding at law and in equity shall
first b. heard and determined at such special
tsrmt. Suits in equity. not triable by jury.
shall also be heard and determined at such
special terms. But the justice holding such
special term may. in bis discretion. order any
such motion or suit to be heard. in the first
instance. at a general term. Any party
grieved by any order. judgment. or decree.
made or pronounced at any such special term.
may. If the same involve the merits Of the &C.
tion or proceeding. appeal thsreftcm to the
general term Of said supreme court. aud upon
such appeal the general term shall review