Morning journal and courier., 1882-05-05
Friday Morning, May ,, 1882.

THE PROPOSED LEGAL REFORMS.
 Under resolution passed by the last Gen eral Assembly the Governor has appointed a commission to investigate and report plan for the simplifcation of the judicial system of the State, esp. cially with a view to secur- irg prompt and economical administration of justice in small causes; and also to report a codifcation of the criminal laws and the system of criminal procedure in the State, with a view to the prompt trial of causes and economy in the disposition of criminal busi- ness.
 The resolution under which the Governor has acted grew out of feeling that the pres ent method of criminal procedure is cumber- some and antiquated, and feeling that pro- ceedings before justices of the peace and coroners might be much improved. There is also 8 feeling that in the administration of civil causes there is room for much improve ment, especially in the minor courts. The present system has grown by accretion since colonial times. The Supreme and Superior courts are provided for by the Constitution, but all the other courts of the State, as well as the jurisdiction of the Superior court, are governed by laws which have been enacted from time to time. Several governors have called attention to the need of the proposed reforms, and Governor Bigelow, in his last message, referred to it. The State Bar Association took up the matter last tear and recommended some radical changes. The whole subject was too large to be properly dealt with by the Judiciary committee of the Legislature, and it was therefore decided to put it into the hands of commission, in the same way that the Legislature of 1878 put the Civil Code into the hands of commits sion.
 It is evident that such commission should be composed of persons who have had ex- perience in the present organization of our courts, and experience in the administration of criminal justice. And they should also be men who have had legislative experience in the drafting of statute laws, and who know what kind of practical legislation would be apt to meet the approval of a Connecticut Legislature. Of the members of the com mission, William J. Hamersley, of Hartford, has been State Attorney for Hartford coun- ty for the past ten years. He has conducted several important trials He was 8 member of the Civil Code commission, and is an accomplished gentleman and scholar Lynde Harrison was judge of the City court of New Haven three years and @ Common Pleas court judge for four years. He has been in both branches of the Legislature and was chairman of the Judiciary committee last year. He was member of the commission which prepared the present system of terms of court in 1875. His extended experience on the bench and in the Legislature, together with his other qualifications for the work which the commission is to do, will make him, to say the least, very useful member. Morris W. Seymour, of Bridgeport, is a son of the late Chief Justice Seymour. He has been City Attorney of Bridgeport and has served two years in the State Senate. Gil bert w. Phillips of Putnam Is the leading lawyer of Windham county, and its State Attorney for several years. He has served several terms in both branches of the Legislature, and has been chairman of the Judiciary committee. William T. Elmer of Middletown was State Attorney for Middle county for many years, has been judge of probate, is now judge of the City court of Middletown, and has served in the Senate and been chairman of the Judiciary commit tee WiIbert w. Perry of Hartford is a ris- ing young lawyer, who has been Assistant State Attorney for Hartford county under Mir. Hamersley for several years.
 It will be seen that this is a commission capable of doing good work, and we may ex- pect that it's labors will bring about impor- tant reforms. With these accom- plished, Con- necticut will not be as far behind the times in legal matters as she is now