Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-23
The STATE judiciary.

\ loud Cry has come up from all pa rus ol tht
Commonwealth too many courtS-too mucf
justice-too much expense! The Legislature /;
needing this cry, and is endeavoring to correc
the evil as far as compatible with the existing
Constitution Mr.. Penn in the Senate, and MIR
Fulkerson in the House, have both submitted
bills for great change in the present organlza
ton OF the courts
We subioiu summary Of Mr.. Penn'S bill
which differs only in some details from that Of
Mr.. Fulkerson The most material points Of
difference are that the County courts (by the
last) are limited to four days, and one Of the
discretion be confined to chancery business, SC
as to save the expense Of juries and witnesses.
Both bills contemplate an addition of five Cir
cult Judges, and each Judge is to hold four
terms year In every county. The jurisdlc-
ton of the County court is limited strictly 10
county matters and misdemeanors.
1t is believed the change will effect an an
nual saving Of $ 40. 000-to say nothing Of the
annoyance and harassment Of the people by a
perpetual attendance on court. This saving
may be still farther increased by some judi
cious reforms in respect to jurleS IN the Cir
cult courts-not touched, we believe, in either
of these bills.
The present cost Of the County courts is about
as follows:
Jurics. &c............. ............ 10000
$4,000
Under the proposed change the county courts
will only cost about $4,000, and five addition
al circuit judges $4,000, which, deducted
from the $l60, 900, will leave $4,000 clear
gain. The reform cannot 60 into operation
until the election of the new county judges
the present judges being entitled to their sal
aries for the terms for which they are elected
But it is all-important that the change should
be effected before the next election otherwise
the burden may be continued for another six
years.
Mr. PENIS bill provides that the county
courts shall have jurisdiction to hear and de-
termine all motions and other matters made
specially cognizable therein by any statute
may grant letters OF administration admit
wills to probate, and may hear and determine
motions and applications concerning roads, fer
ries and landings.
1t is to execute and enforce, by proper pro-
cess and in the manner provided by law, every
Judgment, decree or order heretofore entered
therein and shall supervise correct and en-
force, in like manner, any rule taken, Or order,
entry or endorsement made by the clerk Of said
court, and it is to have exclusive original ijurs-
diction for the trial of all preSentments, lnfor-
nations and indictments for msdemeanors
TO the Circuit court it proposes to give the
same jurisdiction as is provided by law on the
day before the act takes effect and it is, in
addition, to have exclusive original jurisdiction
for the trial Of indictments for tclones
In every year there are to be four regular
terms of the Circuit court in each county of
the State All causes at law pending in the
County court Oh the day the act takes effect,
of which said court has no jurisdiction, and all
chancery causes therein i'll which there has
been no decree on the merits Of the matter in
issue, shall be removed to the Circuit court
for such county and the clerk Of the County
court is directed to deliver to the clerS of the
Circuit court for such county the original pa