Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-03-21

Monday to ascertain their views as to
the expediency of these two measures.
In regard to the Manson bill the in
quiries were SO directed as to apply
only to the proposed consolidation of
the Offices OF Circuit Judge and Chan
cellor, and not to the redistricting
feature or any other feature of the bill.
The reporter first invaded the office
of
HON. JNo. f. HOUSE,
and found that distinguished gentle
man seated before a comfortable fire
giving farmer some advice about
keeping up fences. The Colonel is
supposed to understand that business
and the advice was no doubt well con-
sidered. In response to the questions
propounded by the reporter he ex-
pressed himself without hesitancy as
follows:
"Ithink there is no necessity in this
State for separate Chancery and Cir
cult Courts, or rather no necessity for
a set of judges for each Court Under
the Manson Bill, see no reason why
one Judge for each circuit cannot do
all the business, in law and equity in
said circuit This would considerably
reduce the number OF judges, which
ought to be done, and the judges should
be paid fair salary. The reduction
in the number of judges will enable
the State to pay the remaining judges
a fair salary-say $4,000 per annun,
and save money by the arrangement.
l think a salary OF 5000 not too much
and salary OF 5000 entirely too low.
l would certainly continue the Ref
eree's Court for Middle Tennessee. l
understand the Supreme Court is
pretty well up with the business in
East and West Tennessee and therefore
there may be no necessity for contin-
uing the Referees Court in those di-
visions of the State, but the Supreme
Court is greatly behind in the Middle
Tennessee division, and / would GER
tainly continue the Referees court for
this division until the great accumula-
ticn of cases is removed. When this
is done, | see no reason why the Su-
preme Court cannot keep up with the
docket hereafter. do not think we
need an intermediate courtin Tennes-
see. What is needed is a temporary
tribunal to clean up the docket, and
when this is done, (and 1 believe the
Referees Court will doit,) the way will
be clear for the future"
When the reporter had finished up
with the ex-Congressman he dropped
in across the passage-way and pro-
pounded his questions to
JUDGE CHAS. G. SMITH,
and got very ready replies. a think"
said the Judge, that the bill of Repre-
sentative Manson making it the duty
of one Judge to hold the Chancery,
Circuit and Criminal Courts i'll each
circuit ought to become a law. We
have more judges than necessary to
the business in the courts. /
would say pay good salaries to a small
er number and give them full work.
The Referees Court, [ think, should
be retained for Middle Tennessee, be-
cause the Supreme Court in this divis-
ion is so far behind with the business
that an appeal to that tribunal amounts
to a denial of Justice. The Referees
Court certainly "helps some" and l
wish to see anything done that will
nd in the dispatch of business"
The Judge illustrated his position
with a racy and characteristic anecdOte
which we regret we haven't the space
10 publish. But if any one wishes to
near it, this reporter, the Judge or two
gentlemen from Jordan Springs who
we're present, will take pleasure in re-
ating it.
Passing down stairs, the reporter
anne suddenly in contact with
JOHN j. WEST, ESQ,
whom he collared Immediately and |
'efused to let go until he had delivered /
himself on the subjects in question.
Ir. West said, "Owing to the decrease
n litigation during the last few years
have no doubt that the law business
Il the State can be gotten through
With by fewer judges than we now
ave. The bill of Representative Man.
on seems to be a wise one. There is
10 need of a separate Chancellor and
circuit Court Judge. l would suggest,
hat preference asTo time should be
iven the jury cases so as to get rid of
he regular jury at each term of court
5 soon as possible.
The most needed reform in our iu-
iciary would seem to be that which
'ould insure a trial of cases ON appeal
, the Supreme Court within a reason
BILE time II nothing better can be
at present, l heartily favor
ne Commission Of Referees for Middle
ennessee."
Crossing the street, the reporter
)und
COL. T. L. YANCEY
lone, busily engaged in writing He
nd in reply to the questions which the
eporter had by this lime gotten ster-
otyped: al have no question III the
ord but what the uniting of these ,
fces will prove beneficial to the bar,
enefcial to the State and beneficial to
tigants | have studied the opera
Ons of a similar plan in Kentucky for j
ears and found it wholesome.
As regards the Referees Court, / ,
mt see that it has facilitated business
ny in the Supreme Court, and there ,
re don't favor its perpetuation." :