The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1866-12-29
SHARP PRACTICE BY LEGIS.
LATORS.

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the sanction of the Legislature, defined
the judicial districts of the Territory
and assigned the Judges to the same.
Instead of proceeding in an impartial
method and equalizing the labors of the
members of the bench, certain persons
grasped the opportunity for the purpose
OF gratifying their likes and dislikes." !"
The second judicial district comprises
the counties of Big Horn, Vivion, Qate
MuscleshelD and Choteau. 1t is appar-
ent at glance that the number of law
suits which will arise in this region,
must be like angels visits, few and far
between" Judge Munson is required to
administer justice to those who are so
unfortunate as to become involved in
litigation in this vast Wilderness Judge
Wiliiston will receive the cream of the
courts and exercise jurisdiction over the
rich and thriving counties of Edgerton,
Deer Lodge, Meagher, Jefferson and Mis-
soula. Chief Justice Hosmer will wear
the ermine of his high office in Madison,
Beaverhead and Gallatin. The injustice
of this narrow minded operation is rem
dered more glaring by the consideration
of another statute, which provides that
a docket fee of FIVE dollars shall be paid
to the presiding judge for every action
that is brought before him. The income
of Judge Munson will not be perceptibly
increased by this process while his asso-
ciate, Judge Williston will reap splen-
did financial harvest. These laws were
enacted by both houses and pushed
through at the eleventh hour with little,
if any discussion. We are desirous Of
believing, that they would have been
rejected, if the subject, had been consid-
cred at the beginning instead of the ter
nination of the session. The questions
which every one propounds, are these
Why should one judge be practically
exiled and deprived of his proportion of
the public revenue, in order that another
party may enjoy the comforts of civil |
zation and fill his Golfers with green
backs? WHY'S Judge Munson prevent
ed by the authority of the Legislature
from performing those duties for fulfil |
ling which, the President nominated and |
the Senate of the nation confirmed him |
The uncalled for action of the legisla-
tors cannot be justified upon the ordina-
ry grounds of expediency, right or ne
cessity. Nor will any lawyer assert that |
Judge Williston is superior to Judge |
Munson in talent or legal requirements. |
We must find reasons of different char
acter. If any of the Territorial Judges
is entitled to the favors or preference of
The law maker, the claims of the Chief
Justice should be paramount to
those of his associates. The |
reader will observe that Judge Hosmer
has been treated with indignity and con-
tumely, but Judge Munson appears to
have obtained the lions share. This
partial legislation has been adopted for
only one object-to reward man who
the idea that the second and
,hird Legislatures of Montana were le-
rally convened. The opinion of ma
ority of the Judges concerning this i'm
,ortant matter, conflicts with the views
If the legislative assemblies, and conse-
luently punishment has been inflicted.
MI despicable efforts of this nature gen
rally fail, and |,
"HFfiis joy to see the engineer hoist
With his own petard." --E -.-