The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-30

(which has become extremely onerous to our
people, in large class of cases and make the
judgment of these two judges final in vast
amount of cases, and allowing appeals when
these judges will certify to difference of opin.
ion, We would more than save the additional
salary of a judge in dispensing with juries as
suggested,and litigation would then be ended in
reasonable time. The few appeals would be
readily disposed of by three judges of the court
OF last resort, because the very questions to be
passed upon would be pointed out by
the certificate of division, so far as
making the Judgment of the trial court final.
think it will be readily conceded that two
good lawyers, holding the trial court, would be
much more competent, with the witnesses and
facts all before them, to determine a case cor
rectly, than three or more judges holding the
Appellate court could do on a transcript sent
up. BY this system many of the inferior courts
COULD BE DISPENSED WITH.
With the rapid increase of population and
business, we will have to continue the increase
of appellate judges, unless we begin the reform
in the trial courts The evils of the constant
increase of appellate cases are felt in more than
one direction. The most serious consequence
attending it is the constant unsettling of our
system laws. In the simple questions of prac-
tice, it is now frequently the case that we find
the three appellate judges differing, and it be-
comes of much more concern when those diff
to this subject are the decisions and rulings
of the Court of Appeals. Their opinions and
rulings are not allowed to be punished. /
think this is evil. 1t is safe to say that there
are as many civil causes appealed to the court,
as there are to the Supreme court, and yet the
trial courts are not informed of the rules and
practice of the Court of Appeals in civil
causes i, therefore, recommend that some suit
able encouragement be provided for the pub
LEGATION of the opinions and rulings of that
court in civil cases. The suggestion to save the
country the annoyance and expense OF jury
trials, of course, refers 10 petty offenses and
minor civil causes.
TELEGRAPH COMPANIES.
These companies, under our laws, are allowed
"a rissl,fc and nixviln.
they should be required to serve the public.
AS now conducted they are, to a large
portion of the people, a nuisance. If they
accommodate those who patrOnize them they
should be requested to provide additional facili-
ties or tell their customers that they cannot
managed, in sending message, say 30 miles,
if it is placed on file in the morn
ing it is likely to be delivered
day. w recommend the enactment n of of n law
making it the duty of the district and county
attorneys to institute proceedings in the name
of the State against any telegraph company,
upon responsible information, of the willful
failure to perform any duty with reference to
transmitting or delivering any message depOs-
tied with it for transmission, and upon salts
factory evidence to the court and jury to for
felt every right conferred upon such COM
panies by the laws of this State.
OTHER THINGS.
OF the State force, Governor Ireland says /:
Our Notwithstanding settlements and vast
extent of territory appear to demand q small
military organization, and | recommend the
retention of the force now in active service.
He says there are as many insane persons
confined in jals and the homes of their family
dog huts In some cases. as in the State asylum,
all for want of adequate accommodation for
this unfortunate class of inhabitants, and
recommends the enlargement of the grounds
and the buildings ut the capital.
Regarding railways the recommendation is
made that three or more persons be appointed
to see that railroad companies perform their
duty to the people.
The governor suggests that vaccination be
made compulsory. Peace officers, he declares,
should be punished for refusing to arrest any
person violating any law or city ordinance at
the time of violation.
LEGISLATURE YESTERDAY.
StrattOn, from the House Committee on Pub
lie Health, favorably passed resolution re-
questing our Congressman to perfect some
treaty with Mexico to better prevent the
spread of yellow fever and other epidemic dis
eases.
Bills referred by the House: johnson, fixing
the penalty for stealing hogs at confinement in
the penitentiary for not less than one nor more
than five years. Fowler, TO amend the penal
code so as TO make punishment for robbery
death, or imprisonment in the penitentiary for
not less than five years, or for life.
After a long debate the House passed to en-
grOssment, by vote of So yeas to 80 nays the
bill requiring male persons to work FIVE days
every year on the public roads. BIxBY.