The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-12
FROM sPRINoFIHLD.
Constitutional Convention.

Friday, March 4.-Ths consideration of the
Article ON the Judiciary was continued. After
numerous amendments had been offered and de-
bated, section was adopted as follows:
SEC. 1. The Judicial powers, except as in this
article is otherwise provided, shall be vested in
one supreme court, circuit courts, county courts,
justices Of the pesce, police msgistrates, and in
such courts As may be created by law; and fer
cities and corporated towns the courts of record
other than circuit courts existing in the cities of
the state shall be continued until otherwise pro-
vided by law.
The second section, fixing the number of su.
preme judges at seven, after lengthy debate,
was adopted. The third section was adopted
without debate. The 4th section-that which
leaves the grand divisions as they now are. pro-
vides for the election of three judges in the
northern, two in the central and two in the
southern division, but leaves 1t to the legislature
to make whatever changes it pleases, and finally
requires one session of the court each year to be
held at Chicago-was taken up next. Mr.
Church offered an amendment, to divide the
state into seven divisions one Judge to be elect.
ed in each. On this proposition, and the mode
Of electing the judges under it, q lengthy debate
arose, running into party politics, and lasting
until adjournment
Saturday. March 5.-The Judiciary Article
was resumed. The further consideration of sec.
lions and was postponed. Sec. 6, continuing
the present supreme judges in Office until the
expiration of their terms, was adopted without
dehafa z prpvi1ipn h.
judges should receive the pay now provided by
law was stricken out leaving the question of
salaries with the legislature. Secs. 5, 8 and 10,
in reference to election Of supreme court clerk,
reporter circuit clerks, &c, were adopted
Adjourned.
MoadaN March 7.-Judiciary report contin.
ued. Sec. II came up next. 1t provides for the
establishment, after 1874, of an appellate court,
to be composed Of circuit judges, to which all
the minor cases now coming before the supreme
court are to be taken and from which, in certain
cases, an appeal shall lie to the supreme court
The section, after an earnest debate, was adopt.
ed Sec. II was adopted. Sec ID was debated
three hours, and then laid over until Sec, le
shall be disposed Of Sec. IA, fixing the time OF
| electins judges in June. as now, drew cut @
lengthy debate on amendment to have the
election in November, on the ground of the ex
pense of an extra election in June, which. unde,
the registry law, is not less than $4,000. The
amendment, however, was lost, and the section
| adopted to elect the judges in June.
Inosday, Nurch S.-Sec. 16 of the Judicar,
Article was taken up, Sec. u having been post
poned. 1t relates to the salaries of the circui
judges, and was debated at length. Finally tn.
salaries were fixed at $4,000, doing away Will
the docket fee and other " stealings" Sec. /
was adopted without debate. Sec. Is. in refer
ence TO county courts, came up next. Numerou
amendments were offered, and the section wa
debated all afternoon without being disposed OF
! WedHcsdag, -N,rci 9.--The day WAS spent Oh
Secs. IS and 10 of tife judiciary Report, regula
ting county courts, which Were finally adopted
though by such close votes that they will doubt
less come ap again.
IhurSday Mdrch 10.-Prsgress was made il
the Judiciary Report to Sec. %, the only CUES
ton OF consequence that elected discussion be
ing motion of Ne. Hayes that all the Judge
be appointed by the Governor, Hnstead of elect
ed. The proposition got but votes. The con
veation then returned to Sec. =, but adjourned
before coming to vote on it.