Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-09
DELAYED JUSTICE.
Crowded Condition of the Dockefs Oi
the Supreme eCOurt-Bustness Vir.
IualIy Blocked.
I'm m ediate Action by the Legislature
ImperativeIy Demanded by the Bar
and the People.

The folloRing correspondence, which ap-
peared in the Nashville american, OF Thurs
day, explains itself:
To the American:
The present condition of the dockets of
the Supredie Court, in the three divisions OF
the State, has aroused the attention, n0toniJ'
of the lawyers, but OF the public at large,
and there is, it is believed, a strong senti-
ment in favor of such legislation, by the
| next Legislature, as will remedy the evils
complained Of. The business of the Court
is now 30 far behind that an appeal to the
court is tantamount to a denial of justice.
That immediate action on the part of the
Legislature is imperatively dem anded is
made manifes. by the following facts in coL-
| nection with the business of the court at
Mas lville: There were docketed in the
clerks Office, on the 1st day of October, 1882,
1886 civil cases. OF this number, PA we're
| filed before the let day of January, 1879; J;
377 were filed during the year 1879; 32S
during the year 1880; 537 during the
year 1881; 300 up to and including October
| 1st of the present year. Since that
date October ], 1922 there have
| been filed mot including criminal cases)
| $50 more. There have been, up to
the present time, loo criminal records
filed: The above facts were furnished me by
| Mr.. w. ]. Freemsn, the efficient and oblig-
| also informed ms that the court usually dis
poses OF between 400 and 500 cases during
| the ierm about 100 of which are easy docket
| (non-litigated) cases, and about $50 criminal
| cases. IL will be seen, therefore, that the
court does not dispose of more than 250 hti-
gated cases duriug the whole term. 1t is
| safe to say that all OF the cases filed prior to
| January l, 1882, are litigated, because, if
| auy of them had been non-litIgate they
would undoubtedly have been disposed of on
the call of The easy docket in February fol-
| lowing. At the rate of 250 cases per term,
| i is a simple M after of calculation TO ascer-
| tain how long it will take the court to dis
pose of the cases now on its docket. AS l
remarked before, continuance OF the pres
| ent system amounts to q denial of jus ice,
and some appropriate legislation is very
much needed. No blame can attach to the
| judges of the court, as all we'll know who
| practice before it. 1t is admitted that
| they are greatly overworked, and that
| it would be impossible for any other
| five gentlemen TO accomplish more
work than they do. With the purpose OF
aiding in bringing about the reforms needed,
the Bar Association of the Stale, through lis
proper officers and committees, are now al
work. The following letter from the Hon,
| B. NJ. Estes, of Memphis, president of the
association, 10 me, as secretary, explains IT
self In pursuance of the directions therein,
| | therefore suggest TO the members of the va
| rious bars of the State 10 meet at as early
dates as are convenient aud prepare memo
rials to the approaching Legislature asking
| adequate legislation on the subject. l re-
spec fully ask that the American and the
other city papers, as we'll as the other news.
papers Of the State, will publish this COM
muuication and lend their influence to the
accomplishment of the objects sought. Re
spec,fuly, J. c. BRADFORD,
| Secretary OF the Bar Association of Tennessee.