National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-11
ADVISORY LOCAL LEGISLATORS.
The Bar Association Discusses Bills of
District Importance.

District Importance.
An adjourned meeting of the Bar Asso-
citation was held at their rooms yesterday
afternoon, Col. j. @. Payne president and
Charles A. Elliott secretary, for the purpose
Of further considering legislation relating
to this District, and bills transmitted TO them
from the Senate and House District commit
tees. Col. Payne stated that the committee
had submitted the action taken by the asso-
citation at previous meeting, and Senator
Ingalls, had introduced the bill, ms amended,
in the Senate. He had also received let
ter from the senator expressing his grati6-
cation that the association has taken inter
est in these matters, and would be pleased
to receive suggestions from the members at
any time.
The report of the special comm ittee on
the Senate bill In relation TO the jurisdic-
tion Of magistrates and the police court
was taken up for consideration.
Mr.. Perry moved that so much Of the
bill as provided for jury for the police
court be not agreed to.
That portion Of the bill provided that all
trials in the police court should be by a jury
Of twelve men "selected and provided and
subject TO and In conformity with the pro-
visions and requirements Of chapter 81 Of
the Revised Statutes Of the United States
relating to the District of Columbia" The
names Of the persons who may be selected
to be drawn for jury service In the court
shall be put and kept In box for that pur-
pose distinct and separate from that used
for jury service In the supreme court OF the
District Of Columbia. Should the box be-
come exhausted when the court In general
term is not In session and the officers or
persons to make lists Of jurors, or ma
jority of them, are not within the jurlsdlc-
a a.. cat
majority Of them, should act. AT least
twenty.six names should he drawn at any
given time for service. The jurors are to
serve for two weeks, receive 81 per day for
their services, and are not eligible for SER
vice in that court again for twelve months;
but this service is not to exempt them from
Jury service In the supreme court OF this
District.
The motion was fully discussed aud
adopted.
Mr.. Miller moved to lay the report Of the
committee on the bill "to create four police
magistrates for the District OF Columbia; to
| define the Jurisdiction, powers, and func-
lions Of said magistrates; to provide jury
| for the police court, and for other pur-
| poses" on the table, which was carried bya
| large majority.
The balance Of the committees report,
which was on "An act to amend chapter 81
| Of the Revised Statutes OF the United States
| relating to the District OF Columbia, and
enlarging the Jurisdiction Of justices Of the
| peace and providing the manner Of pro-
ceedings before them, &c.," was next laid
before the association for consideration.
Mr.. Dean moved that the bill be recon-
mitted TO a committee of five, with instruc-
| lions to prepare and report bill, or bills,
one in connection with the police court, and
the other the magistrate system, for the i'm
| proyement Of the same and abOlishing those
| at present existing.
A lengthy discussion followed, after
| which the motion was carried.
The president appointed Messrs. Dean,
| Albert, Elliot, Tobriner, and Davis as the
committed and the association adjourned,