Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-25
RrIL REORGANIZINGTHE COURTS
OF SHELBY COUNTY.

to contract for advertisements.
a
BILL REORGANIzINGTHE COURTS
OF SHELBY COUNTY.
We are enabled to CLEAN from the Leg
isIative proceedings Of day before yester-
dsy the action of the Judiciary Commits
tee in reference to the bill reorganizing
the courts of Shelby county. The bill,
as originally drawn and introduced, pro-
yided for the entire wipiug out of the
present Judiciary system, and the estab-
lishment Of three Circuit Courts, with
concurrent jurisdiction, and twoChancery
Courts, with concurrent Jurisdiction per-
tanning to business of chancery, and q
Criminal Court--the dockets of the old
courts 10 be distributed equally among
the new courts to be created having re-
ference to the respective jurisdiction OF
the courts. n
1t was thought by the bar Of this city
that the number of courts alluded to in
the new bill would not be more than SUI
fcient to attend to all the business
of the county. Everyone is aware
of the great difficulty there is in
getting business through the courts as
they now stand, and the consequent
delay and expense. If it is found neces-
sary for one man to sue another in this
community upon the most ordinary evil
deBce Of indebtedness, the delay in get
ting judgment and collecting the amount
is go great as to make the effort scarcely
worth the trouble. Men would rather
compromise their Indebtedness for one
half, than proceed to law 10 order
to gain what rightfully belongs to them.
To-day the doekets of our courts ex-
hibi. the startling fact that ten thousand
cases stand undecided, aud the rapid &C.
cumulation of more. Upon each Of
these cases there is a State tax Of five
dollars, making $4,000 of revenue that
should,be going into the treasury. This
tax cannot be collected until each case
has been decided and the cost adjudged.
In order, then, to facilitate matters, it
was-and wisely, too-thought necessary
to have additional courts established.
A bill to that effect was introduced into
the Legislature, agreeable to the feelings
and notions of every one save, perhaps,
two or more sspirants for clerkships.
From what we could learn there was Q
controversy over the division of spoils,
and the matter could only be settled
satisfactorily by striking out in the bill
"three" before Circuit Courts and insert
ing the word "two." The amended bill
goes on to provide that the condemnation
Of land for the State and county taxes
shall be by the First Circuit Court,
and for city taxes by the Second Circuit
Court. This amendment, certainly, has
ear-marks about il which are ubmis-
taxable. If our surmisss are correct,
that certain parties have had this altera-
ton made in the interest of themselves,
they had better prey for the rocks and
mountains to hide them from the indig-
nation of our people, for nothing will
shield the perpetrators from the con-
domination of the voterss of this county
when the day Of election comes around.
The bill as it now stands, and as it was
reported BY the committee to the House,
gives US one less than the number of
courts we already have. 1t abolishes the
Common Law Court, Judge Foute's Ma
nicipal Court, and the present Circuit
Court, aud only gives Us for the three
two Circuit Courts. Then the two
new courts would not amount TO
more than the Common Law and Cir
cult Courts do at present. for these
have concurrent Jurisdiction within a
district extending over the entire
city. Il is absolutely ridiculous
for any oue to attempt TO frame an
excuse Tor this outrage upon the people
Of this couHiy, snd unless the affair is
speedily arranged, and properly, some
prescriptions individuals viii suffer ct
the hands Of this community. We, for
the present, forbear calling names;
hoping that upon q second sober thought,
, certain gentlemen may reconsider their
action add have the bill passed as origin
ally intended. We know more than We
choose TO tell on this occasion, aud viii,
when The time comes, make known
everything to our people concerning this
wire pulling, cheating and svindiing
clique.
THE NATI0SAE BOARD OFTRADE.
The National Board Of Trade meets At
Richl7ond, w.. o. the lat Of esssmber;
- =. - from mr. exchanges thas ure-