Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-10-16
ONE REPORTERS PLUM.
A State Ofncial In Danger.

PlttSDurS Telegraph.
For some time past there has been 4
steadily growing dissatisfaction among the
lawyers of this end Of the state with the
manner in which the supreme court re-
porter, Mr.. A. Wilson Norris, has elected
to transact his business. The burden Of
the complaint is that he never attends tho
sessions of the supreme court in this city,
and that for that reason the business Of
his Office is not properly attended to.
Leading members OF the bar say that this
dissatisfaction has spread to the supreme
bench. 1t is charged that Mr.. Norris
rarely deigns to give the light
of his presence to the sessions Of the
court in any place outside Of Philadel-
phia, where he has his residence. 1t ap-
pears that the court cannot control his ac-
tions unless by proceeding to extremities.
In view Of the attitude of the bar here and
elsewhere upon this question a succinct
history Of the Office and its emoluments
will not be unintcrcsting.
The Office Of state reporter was created
by an act of the Assembly Of April 18th,
1916, and it has always been regarded as
one of the most comfortable positions in
the state. The governor has the absolute
power of appointment, and the reporters
CCLuA VI O"CC AACu dG NV SCtbASs AAO
incumbent, under the provisions of the
act, must bc 4 member OF the bar, and is
| required to give bond, with two sureties,
that he will discharge his duties with cor
rectness, impartiality and fidelity. He is
entitled to the copyright Of his reports,
two volumes Of which he may publish each
year, and sell at the rate OF $3.50 Fer
volume. In addition he receives 50 cents
for each writ of error, and like sum for
each writ Of certiorari brought into the
supreme court. 1t is estimated that tho
profits Of his Office amount to fully $40, 900
yearly.
The sixth section of the act creating the
Office Of state reporter provides that the
governor may at any time remove the said
reporter, for incOmpetcncy. or for failing
in the discharge of his official duties, on
the addresses of the judges of the supreme
court made to him in writing, and he shall
have power to fill any vacancy which may
occur by death, by an appointment of 4
reporter to continue for the unexpired
term of Office, and subject to all the pro-
visions of the act, and it's various supple
mcnts.
Members Of the bar Of this county say
that when Mr.. Norris was first appointed
he came here regularly, and his reports
gave general satisfaction. 1t has not been
distinctly charged that his latter reports
have been unsatisfactory, but the dispOsi-
ton to make such charge has been more
strongly manifested during the present
session of the supreme court here than at
any previous time. 1t should not be un-
dcrstood that the reporter has entirely
| neglected his duties here. During the
present session of the court he has been
represented by Il young man who has come
to be known as his assistant. 1t is claimed
that in thus committing his business to 4
subordinate the provision of the act
which requires the reports to be
| made by 4 person learned in the
law has been violated, and that thus far
at least Mr.. Norris has failed in the per-
fOrmance of his duty. The demand that
there shall be q change in the present sys-
tenn of reporting the business of the su-
preme court may not be dismissed lightly !;
for while the lawyers who are complaining
declare that they have no wish to ,jepordizc
Mr.. Norris's position, they arc determined
to pursue their effort to have the reports
made in the manner and by the person
designated by the acts of Assembly.
With the price fixed by law upon each
volume of the reports the present reporter
has. Of course, nothing to do, save the col
lection of his money. Members of the bar,
however, say that $3.50 for each book is
excessive. 1t is estimated that the total
cost of each volume to to the reporter is
about $1.25. The New York reports arc
sent to subscribers in this state for $3.50
per volume. it is said, while the members
of the bar within the state arc supplied
with the books ut Il cost of about s. cents.
1t is not known that the supreme court
has determined to make formal complaint
against Mr.. Norris, but the agitation here
is serious enough to give him cause for
anxiety.