The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-10
For the Dispat CHI
The Judiciary Of Virginia.

| Every citizen of Virginia has vested
right to express his Individual opinion upon
every subject in which he may have private
or public interest in common with others.
| letting that opinion 60 for what it may be
worth. If not accepted as sound, it may at
least suggest to others that which may be
right.
There arc no subjects which address them.
selves more directly to the personal concern
of every one, as well as to the veal OF tue en-
tire Commonwealth, than does that of an
efficient organization Of our Judicial system.
In the exercise of the privilege aforesaid,
and subject to the limitations named, beg
leave, respectfully, to submit sketch for
| the permanent establishment of the courts
of Virginia.
My proposition is that there be three
courts.
First. A COUNTY COURT for each county in
the State, which shall be the sole court OF
| o,4ginal jurisdiction in all matters OF litiga-
| ton. --.---e.--... -~--.re.- :,
Invest it with all the jurisdiction in civil
and criminal proceedings in law and equity,
| in probate and county police, which 1t had
| prior to the 1st of August, 1873, with re-
stored original jurisdiction 10 capital cases.
| Give the Judge authority in criminal pro-
ceedings to certify to the supreme court OF
anneals all questions in which he may de"
sire the aid of the supreme court, or IN
| which he NAV think the ends OF justice VIII
| no nromoted by such submission for the con-
s;derosion of the highest tribunal, no matter
whether there be any right OF appeal or not
| in the parties to the proceeding.
Let the county courts OF three countles De
nreS;ded over by one Judge, who shall be
required to have all the quaincatlons now
4 demanded by statute OF Judge OF the CIR
chit court, and give to him uniform salary
of 1000 year and mileage, ne to hold
1 Term each month in each of the three coun'
! ties. ;, .ot,;,oa %
county courts for towns of 5000 populatlon'
Second. Let there be four DISTRICT COURTS
OF APPEALS, with exclusive appellate Jurlsaic'
ton IL all ciuii causes involving nor iess
than 1900 nor more than 81, GOO, exclusive Oh
;mterest With authority to certify questions
! to the supreme court of appeals for its adj
vice or decision in any cases ofdoubt which
the district judges, or majority OF them
shaIl desire 10 submit. for the benefit OF theil
4 guidance by the supreme court, and with the
il further authority to permit an appeal from
the district court to the supreme court In
those cases, within the limit Of $1,000, il
4 which four out of the five district judge:
shalthink justice will be promoted by such
appeal over.
The said district courts also to have ap
pellate jurisdiction in all cases above the
i limit of 81, 900 which may be brought befort
them. In which class Of cases, however
the appellant should have the option eithel
to appeal at first to the district court or t.
60 directly to the supreme court; and il h
elect to 70 into the district court first, tn,
appellant and appellee should each have th'
right OF appeal from the district court to th'
supreme court.
Let these district courts be each presided
over BY five judges. taken from the bench ant
bar generally, preferring the present ctrcui
! Judges, II tho Legislature see fit, whlel
would be but right, and perhaps necessar'
|, because of their unexpired terms.
> The salary Of each district judge 70 ne ina
!, of the present circuit Judges, 600 nm
mileage. The Legislature to designate IN
Inresident, which would be q painiut, IL
:, iufious, and insidious task II left to be PEI
formed by the court itself, and would
urejudicial to their harmony.
D 10 each district court let there be q ID Y
bhbrary attached, TO be procured and sn
ltained by an assessment on.the lawyers at
: ma,tea to practice In the courf, or esse ps