The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-20
Appellate Courts.
Communicated.


II seems conceded that necessity exists
ior an Appellate Court. The views Of CORE
spordents all tend that way. The Commits
sion, While it has done well, is not likely to
be retained as q part Of the judicial system
Of the State. Less than three weeks remain
in which to perfect this measure OF relief to
the Supreme Court, and provide litigsnts an
opportunity for speedy determination Of
their rights. A matter OF such importance
should not be lett to the crowded days OF the
last week OF the session. IL is OF sufficient
importance to require early action. A high
duty devolves upon the Assembly to give
the Supreme Court time in which to care
fully consider questions and bring its de-
cisions into more perfect harmony. The
bill introduced by Senator Weir should be
taken up and perfected, or a new one de-
yised. A very little amendment in his bill
would meet The suggestion that sessions
should be held outside OF Indiana polls, and
yet Gbviate the expense attendant upon
three Courts OF three judges each. By
the tate at large, making six JUDGES
in ell, divide the Court into
two divisions OF three Judges EACH
TeqJirs the Northern Division TO hold the
Mey erm at Fort Wayne and the Ssptem-
Der -Tm at Logansport, or select other
poinIs; the Southern Division TO hold at
Evansville and Terre Haute or other cen-
trail places, and the whole court of SIX
Judges st Indianapolis for the January
term, and il will certainly be adequate to
the present business. This plan would give
two terms to Northern and two 70 Southem
Indiana, with one for the Central, aud only
require six judges Cases of great import
snce could, by agreement, be hoard st the
January term by the full bench, and that
Term would to soma extent become a gen
eial term. at which the more intricate
questions could, by agreement, be heard.
BY this course the Appellate Court Dis
tricts, except the Sixth, would be the same
as the Supreme Court Districts, and the
objection that districts wee being made
FOR particular purposes or ia terests avoided.
| It would secure court divided IN political
sentiment, and obviate the charge that its
creation was for political purposes only.
1t would adopt the main AMI
| substantial features of House bill 81
| introduced last session by Mr.. villa
| Frszee OF Kosoiusko, one OF the leaking Re
! plblicans or the House, and which it is fail
| to presum received the endorsement of his
| father, Judge Frazer. lie Is late 70 formu
late an entirely new measure creating new
4 districts, and harmonic the conflict of views
| an interests that would thus arise. L. i:
not Tossbls in the short q one allotted for
| such work to make st frst perfect system,
| but beginning ia the right direction can De
made, and time will show the need ed
/ changes. lt Is important that the measure
adopted shall By its fairness command the
confidence of the public and meet tine emer
/ gency. Ii is worth the careful consideration
| of the most prudent members of the Assem-.
| bly, whether the best results can not be
reached, adverse criticism avoided, by re
| tanning the old Supreme Court Districts
| with Judge for toe State, two terms north
| and two south, with one at the center
/ OBSERVER