The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-02-11
orn WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Q, 1880.

There has long been q necessity for
Gu increase of the capacity OF the
highest judicial bench OF the Govern
ment, and the bill introduced by Mr..
Manning to increase the U. 5. Su-
preme Court to twenty-one judges
has become a subject OF general con
sideration with the legal profession Of
the country. and has received the sp
proFal Of many eminent lawyers. II
has become Indispensable to extensive
business interests 10 expedite the
work which has accumulated before
the Supreme Court. Prominent at
torucys in Washington and in other
cities say they have cases before the
Court Ihas cannot, With the present
organization Of that BODY and ia the
regular order Of business, be reached
10 less than Eve years. That of it
sell Is sufficient to induce Congress to
provide some remedy. How many
persons are there in condition to wait
i've years for justice, after having
o0rne the expense and tedum of
lighting their causes through the
lower courts IL is reasonable to
suppose tina, many cases are aban-
doned By those WIZ have law and
equity on their side rather than wait
for decision by the court Of fnal
resort. The Manning bill proposes
To increase the court to twenty-one
judges and TO subdivide il into three
sections, or suo-chambers, each con-
sisting Of seven judges, including the
one presiding There shall be chief
justice and two associate or assistant
chief Justices, who are to preside over
the three sub chambers. One of
these sub-chsmbers shall have juris-
dIctlon over equity causes, and the
other over admiralty and causes 10
which the United States is party.
The decisions of sub.chsmbers must
be submitted to and passed upon by
the full court. This is to comply
with the provision of the Constitu-
ton to the effect that there shall be
zone" Supreme Court. The sub.di-
visions are for the purpose Of fac IL
taling business. Another idea of the
author of the bill Is that it will in-
crease public confidence in the Su-
preme Court, and add to the respect
Of Its decisions, TO increase it's num-
oers 90 that it can be "nationalized"
by having ali sections of the country
upon the bench. The
twelve additional judges proposed in
the bill woald be appointed as those
now on the beaeh-by the President,
'by and with the advice and consent
Of the Senate" Parties who become
involved in litigation with corpOrs-
tions frequently suffer because OF the
inability of the Supreme Court 10
dispose of the business that comes
before it. Corporations employ at
-OrDeys by the year, and. therefore,
hey tight causes to the last. An in-
crease Of litigation does not cost them
any increase Of expense; but il is
with the individual who
must pay as be goes, and to whom it
3 q great burden, perhaps, to follow
sud appeal to the Supreme Court
. nless there is large amount in-
TOlved the corporation often escapes
'y simply carrying the cause up to
ne highest court. The number OF
] nited States circuit judges was in-
,reased some time ago, and their ju-
'isdic,iOn enlarged with the view OF
the pressure upon the Su-
,reme Court, but the effect was the
Tery reverse of what was anticipated
rhe increase and enlargement of the
over courts only added to the cases
.enL TO the Supreme Court Where
he stake is large enough to warrant
be OUTLAY persons will insist upon
having the decision Of the court Of
lnal resort. Congress and the bar
low realize this, aud the object is to
,ive the highest court power and
ABILITIES for disposing promptly Of
be business that comes before it.
G. AS