The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-04-10
The New District Court.

The New District Court.
Judge Dufel Holding Over Until His
Successor Qualines-The sheriff and
Clerk Assume their New Tunc-
lions.
On Monday last, the 5th instant, the
Twenty-Second Judicial District Court
created by the Constitution of 1879, was
opened for the first time, agreeably to
the provisions of that instrument and of
Act No. Of the General Assembly of
1880. Contrary to our expectation, rs
announced last week, that Judge Duffel
would continue to perform all the
functions Of District Judge excepting
the holding of Court" that official was
present and on the bench, acting as
Judge Of the new tribunal under the
provisions of the constitution which de-
clare that all officers shall hold over I'M
til their successors are duly qualified
and indicted into Office, and that in or
der that official interregnums and public
Inconvenience may be avoided, the con-
stitution Of 1868 and laws enacted there
under shall continue iii force until duly
superseded by the new constitution,
even though contrary to the require
ments Of the latter instrument. The
Judge read lengthy and forciblo opin-
ion in support Of his position which we
shall endeavor to publish in full next
| week.
District Attorney Earhart presented
his commission and oath of Office and
also those Of the Sheriff Jones and Clerk of
Court Bentley, together with the bonds
Of the latter officers all Of which docu-
ments were ordered to DO noted on the
minutes. These officials were all re-elec-
ted in December last Mr.. Jones is er
oticio Tax Collector, and Mr.. Bentley ex
o0icio Recorder aud Notary Public, this
combination of offices having been
effected by the new constitution.
David Israel, Esq, was ro-appointed
Deputy Sheriff and the selection was
approved by the Judge, who admins
tered the usual oath of Office to Mr..
| Israel i'll open Court.
The Judge then ordered that the terms
Of the District Court be fixed as follows /:
Ascension--Firt Monday of April, jury
term; first Monday Of July; first Monday
of September, jury term first Monday of
| November.
st. James-First Monday of June, jury
term; first Monday of August; first
Monday of October, jury term; first
Monday Of December.
A copy Of the order was transmitted to
the Clerk of Court for St. James parish,
and another copy posted on the Court
House door.
Owing to the delay in the passage and
PRONUNCIATION of the new jury law, no
| jury had been drawn for the session of
court, and it is fortunate that such was
the case, as the present uncertain status
of affairs would have prevented the trial
of any cases Of Importance and the sum-
moning of jurors would have entailed
useless expense upon the parish.
! Court adjourned until yesterday, when
all the business transacted was the APP
pointment and qualification of Captain
r. P. Landry and Mr.. w. j. Means as
Sheriff's deputies and of Mr.. w. w
Butord as Deputy Clerk and Recorder.
Court was adjourned until next Thurs
day, the 18th inst, by which time it is
anticipated Judge Cheevers will have
taken some action looking to an early
trial of the injunction suit instituted to
prevent him from assuming the position
of District Judge. He left for New Or
leans on Sunday, the day after being
served with the writ of injunction, and
it is supposed the object of his visit was
to engage counsel to defend him in the
case and endeavor to establish his right
to the .Jndgeship. We have heard moth
ing of his movements since, beyond the
rumor that he has employed the veneer
able Judge St. NJ Beirault as his attor-
ney. It is generally believed here, even
among those who supported him most
zealous]y during the recent campaign
that any efforts he may make to combat
the proceedings taken against him will
result in failure. Not few contend
that graceful withdrawal from the
contest would be the most sensible
step he could take
LARGE numhers nf Eranch cifizans ha ue