Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-13
SUPREME COURT COMMISSION.

4 Joint meeting Of the Senate and Assembly
Judiciary Committees was held last evening,
Senator Mcclure presiding, TO consider Assem-
bly, Bill No. 472, which provides for the appoint
ment OF five Commissioners by the supreme
Court to serve TWO years, for the purpose of re-
lieving the Court of the great pressure of bust
ness upon il. The Court is now some two years
behind in its work, Notwithstanding its deci-
Sions amount to upwards OF 600 per year. En-
supreme Justices Cope and Rhoades and Judge
Olney were present as committee on behalf OF
the Bar Association, for the purpose of urging
upon the committees the necessity for reporting
bill of this character.
Mr.. Cope spoke in favor of the bill, but said
that, in his opinion, it would be better to limit
the Commission TO three members ana to extend
their terms to four years. He said 1t might be
DOS. ible for the Court to decide 600 cases in a
year. but it could not do SO and give them the
proper attention. 1t was a dangerous thing to
nave the business of Il supreme Court rushed as
the Court is now obliged to do. \ Commission
of three, he thought. would be able 10 dispose OF
the eases now behind in time TO Overtake the
regular Court and relieve II of its burdens, with
in four years.
Mr. Hazard thought that, as the Commission
ers would not be hampered by the delays that
impede the work OF the regular Court, and that
five Commissioners could dispose of LOCO cases
i'll two years which would be better than to
prolong the work for four years
Judge Cope thought it was not such an easy
matter 10 secure the services of five competent
uristS: that many men who are good practition-
ers before the bar would not succeed on the
bench. Men must be trained 10 such work. \
Judge who had been two years on the bench
would be worth 30 per cent. more TO the State
than when he took first his seat
Mr.. Ellison Endorsed Judge Copc's view of the
subject. He thought it difficult matter to find
five men suitable for such duties, who could
afford TO give up lucrative practice for so short
term as two years.
lIr. McGlashan said he shared the opinion of
Mr.. Hazard. that ii would be easier to get
through the Assembly bill allowing five Com
,eg;,, tlao,, oil yt,,r
three Commissioners for four years. He pre-
ferrcd the former proposition, however, in case
il should be able to pass the bill in that shapei
Mr.. Jones expressed the belief that the pr0-
posed amendmen 10 the bill would readily
meet with the favor of the Assembly.
Mr.. Houghton of san Francisco said the four
year proposition would cost only about Sl2,0G
more than the other. If five Commissioners he
decided upon, this Legislature would have to
appropriate about $4,000 for its maintenance.
but for three Commissioners for four years, the
appropriation TO be made by he present Legis-
lature for the first two years, would be only
half that sum.
Mr. Hazard said that ne was now of the opin-
ones and he therefore moved TO amend the bill
as suggested.
The Joint Committee then unanimously
agreed to recommend the amendments, as sug
geSted by Judge Cope and moved by Mr. IIaZ-
ard.
The matter of providing 1or the appointment
Of Il Secretary was then discussed, and an
amendment to that effect was also agreed upon,
the salary to be the same as that Of the Secre-
tary of the Supreme Court-S210 per month. said
secretary to be appointed by the regular Court.