The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-09-11
The Judicial Amendment.


The judicial s,s,en entalled upon
Oaio hy the Consultation Of 1851 has
been q standing reproach to this great
State. Efforts to amend 1t have been
made. whereby some Of its most chico.
tionable features would be eliminated,
or the system so Corrected ss TO be q
vast improvement 10 its practical work
inee. But these efforts have been made
at inopportune times, wien the people
we're in no mood to change the organic
Law. The more the people become &C.
quainted with The States judicial sys-
tenn, the more they we're inclined to al-
ter. Defects in the organ cation OF
Courts are ly appreciated, as 8 rule,
when one has been subj 'ctei to Its in.
convenient workings. The judiciary il
one branch OF government that should
challenge the admiration Of al. in its
integrity, ability and efficiency. It is .
matter OF pride with judicial system
that was 80 constructed IS to ipv.t'
abu. es Of the jud cial ermine. that oar
judges have 80 uniformly maintained the
respect Of all. But this came Of the
high character OF the men selected 10
occupy the bench That We have be- D
fortunate in securing Judges OF such
iucorrup,ibi, " in the past fs not CON
plets assurance that We will be SO lucky
in the future. 1t is now oderei the peo-
pls. however, to SO amend the >syssem
as to make the bench d6pbly secute.
The proposed amendment, aaaapted.
will do away with our present Dist'i::'
Court, which has failed to win the conf
dence Of litigants and attorneys. The
District Court 10 composed OF at lesst
three Common Pleas Judges Of the dis
trict, ofttn The Judge whose decisions
are to be reviewed bling one of tb,
reviewing Judges, and thus coming
upon the bench with the prejudice bat
uraliy beeo,teu iu favor oi ii. own dc
ci ion. Tbis c,.urt meets once each year
IN each county. They are buried BY
the press OF business pending in their
Common Pleas Courts, snd frequenti,
decide cases OF weigh,y importancew &
but few hours de liberation. Expert.
ence proves that the decisions of this
court where they reverse those OF the
Common Please, are erroneous sigh'
times out VI sse,y ten.
The amendmen: proposes to do ava,
with this Court, and substitute in its
placa Circui, Court composed o. Jud .e'
wholly i,depen lent Of the Common
Pleas Court. Il shah meet st least one
each year in each county, and oftener, II
the business requires. Il is intended to
., const.tls ii that it can hear and de.
eide cases with a. much dehberation ss
may I've necessary TO n iull. and just con.
siderstion of ,hs cases brought befori
it. II will abo ish stas practice OF q
Common Pleas. Judge sitting in rev e~
OF his own decisions, and ct the same
time reduce the number OF Judges now
required to discharge the duties CT Com
mon Pleas Judges. Having to perform
tae duties OF District Judges takes .,
much lime that should be devoled te
their work 10 the Common Pleas Court
that in every sub-diyi N, With tare ex'
ceptions, the number OF Jadges have
been doubled. 10 our own distr ia iheil
are six Common Pleas Judges, where
only three we're intended, and where
three would suffice, were it aot tha
Common Pleas Judges have Dlstlie
Court duties to perform.
BY tue adoption of the smsndmen
the courts would not only. he raised II
efficiency and capability to promptly d.
their work, hu, / Aes would he reduced
in proportion to the number OF presen
Judges whose services could:be dispens
ed with. The amendment should h
adoptei.-CaYroH Republican,, July IL