Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-05
CITY COURT.
The JurfsdictiOn Enlarged.

In compliance with numerous requests
we present herewith a copy Of the recently
enacted law enlarging the jurisdiction OF
the City Court:
AN ACT to enlarge the Jurisdiction of the
City Court of Savannah, to prevent the
Judge thereof from practicing law, and
for other purposes:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly Of the
State of Georgia hereby enacts, That from
and after the passage of this act the juris-
dictional limits of the City Court of Savan-
nah shall embrace the whole county Of
Chatham, and the said court shall, within
those limits, have jurisdiction concurrent
with the Superior Court of the county of
Chatham of all civil causes, without regard
to the amount involved, except those of
which Jurisdiction is exclusively given to
the Superior Court by the constitution aud
laws of the State. Provided, however,
that in any cause which might
have been commenced in the court
of a Justice of the Peace the losing
party shall not be charged with more costs
than would have necessarily accrued, If
such cause had been before a Justice of the
Peace. The criminal Jurisdiction Of the
said City Court shall remain as now provided
by law: and the Judge of the said City
Court shall have the same powers as the
Judge of the Superior Court of Chatham,
except such as are exclusively given to the
latter by law.
Sec. 3. And It is further enacted, That
any defendant in any cause in said City
Court NAV set up equitable defenses, and If
by reason thereof it becomes necessary to
make other persons parties to the cause it
may be done in the same manner as In the
Superior Courts; and 1t shall be within the
power of the said City Court in a
proper case to mould the verdlcts
at law, so as to do full justice to the par
ties. and in the same manner as a decree in
equity, and the judgment and execution
shall conform to the verdict.
Sec. 8. And 1t is further enacted, That
the Judge of the City Court of Savannah
shall hereafter be appointed by the Cover
nor of this State, with advice and con-
sent of the Senate, and for the term of four
years, and until his successor is duly sp-
pointed and qualified, such appointment
shall be made during the session of the
General Assembly next preceding the ex-
piration OF the term of the then incumbent,
to take effect at the expiration of that
term; and should a vacancy occur
term, while the General Assembly
is not in session, the Governor shall appoint
a Judge for the uneXpired term subject to
the action Of the Senate at its next meeting
thereafter; and no person shall be appoint
ed Judge Of the said court who shall not
have been a citizen and resident Of said
county of Chatham for four years next pre-
cedipg his appointment, and have practiced
law for four years.
Sec f. And It is further enacted, That
the Judge Of the said City Court shall not
practice law In any way, or In any court Of
this State, or of the United States, during
his continuance in office; but this section
shall not go into effect during the continu-
ance in Office of the present Judge under
his present commission.
Sec. 5. And it lie further enacted, That the
Judge of the said City Court shall have an
annual salary of $1,000, to be paid him In
monthly installments, out of the Treasury
of the county of Chatham, by the Treasurer
of said county, without the intervention or
order Of the County County Commissioners
or any other county officer; but this sec
ton shall not go into effect during the con-
tinuance in office of the present Judge
under his present commission.
Sec. 6. And it is further enacted, That
the costs In said court, known as the city
tax fee and the attorneys fee, are hereby
abolished; and that in every case commenced
In said court, the Clerk may require Of
the plaintiff a deposit of costs to
an amount not exceeding s. 90,
unless such plaintiff shall
file with his declaration an affidavit that he
has been advised by his counsel In the case,
and believes that he has good cause Of ac-
ton, and that by reason of his poverty he is
unable to make such deposit.
Sec. z. And It is further enacted, That the
Sheriff OF the said City Court, and his depu-
ties, may serve the process of the court in
any part of said county Of Chatham.
Sec. s. And it is further enacted, That 1t
shall be the duty of the Clerk Of said City
Court to prepare and file in his Office copies
of the grand jury list and traverse jury list
of the Superior Court Of Chatham
county, as provided from time to
time for such Superior Court and
grand and traverse jurors shall be
drawn therefrom, in the manner proEidsS
by the act regulating the selection of jI'-
for City Courts, approved Decor
1873, which said act, save in %
may conflict herewith, is he Ger
in force as to said City e. so far as
troTsde9, tnss potp' .eby continu
made for inc oo herein Contain
ot eaF~' election of jurors alrea
next term of said City Coz
hah.
@. And be It further enacted, III
~ laws and parts Of laws initiating agaii
tho ,orovisions of this act are hereby