The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-29
THE SUPREME COURT DOCKET.
Several Propositions to Relieve IL Discussed
by Leading Members Of the Bar.

A rather SHINY attended meeting Of the mem
in the courtroom. in the Capitol building, yes
terday afternoon. When it was called to order
about twenty lawyers were present. and q rev
others dropped in before adjournment was had.
General John Coburn was selected as chairman.
and in stating the object Of the meeting gave
some entertaining figures as to the present con-
dition OF the court. There are now, he said,
LIS on the docket, and l ,067 OF them have been
submitted. Seven OF these cases have been
submitted for more than six years. nine or
them over FIVE years. fourteen over Tour
years. twenty-seven over three years, seventy
nine oyer two years and $40 over one year.
Four hundred and twerty-nine have been SUB
mitted within the last twelve months. Inc
cases filed in 1887 were 632, and 499 were dis
posed of that year. In 1888, 632 cases were
filed and 400 disposed of. It appeared. there
fore. that in 1887 there were 133 more cases
fled than were disposed Of, and that in 1888, up
to the 1st inst. the court fell behind seventy-one
additional cases. The General commented on
these figures at some length. showing that In
addition to the inconvenience sustained by
by litigants and lawyers the delays not infre-
quently resulted in what WAS substantially o de-
NAL of justice.
B. c.. Moon. of Kokomo, was, on motion
OF Judge Scott, appointed secretary, and express
sions of opinion were called for by the chair
from members present. Judge Hougb, Oh
Greenfield, thought the adoption OF a constitu-
tional amendment permitting the Legislature TO
increase the number OF judges on the Supreme
Court bench would meet the difficulties IN the
case. That would permit the appointment OF as
many judges as were needed at any time to
transact tho business. With such Judges
ADDED the work might be divided and
brought up to date rapidly. For instance.
il four judges were added, the court
could be divided into three classes. and on5
might examine cases in which commercial law
was involved, while the others took up real
necessity for the whole court examining all
cases presented. He urged that a decision or
the court of last resort would be more salts
factory to the ~litigants than any other, and saw
no use for a second appeal. In conclusion ne
suggested the appointment OF a committee to
frame measures and to report at q further meet
ing.
Daniel NJ. Bradbury presented figures show
ing that it would be a good deal cheaper to give
each of the present judges a stenoerapher
than to appoint additional judges or a commits
sion. A. c. Harris said he had once been on a
committee which preached the proposition Of
furnishing stenographers to the Supreme Court
judges. and they declined it in advance as use
less, etotlDg tQdL tue prluclpdl uusiucSs u a
judge was to think. Major j. F. Elliot, OF
Kokomo, argued that the increase OF the present
number of those now on the bench offered the
only final and satisfactory remedy. The plan
of a commission had not proven entirely
satisfactory. and at best only Of
fered q temporary relief. An ap-
pellate court would not answer because
the decision of principles Of law should be made
by The highest court.
Judge Rowland thought q larger meeting
would be necessary to give any expression OF
weight, and some discussion took place on this
subject. in which Messrs. Bartholomew, Harris,
| Frank Gavin, of Grssnsburg, and Others took
part. Several motions and amendrisnts were
offered and voted down, and finally, on motion
OF Attorney. general Kitchener, . committee OF
seven was appointed to consider plans and re-
port to q future meeting, to be called by its
chairman. The ommitte was made up as fol-
lows: General John Coburn, chairman, Indian
apolis; John H. Baker, Goshen; Milton Bell, Ko-
komo; Judge John S. Stotsenb berg. New Albany
Robert G. Bell, Fort Wayne; H. G. Fox, Rich
mond: David Kumler, Evansville. A further
committed on correspondence was subsequently
appointed, consisting OF A. G. Harris, ID. NJ.
Bradbury. W. l.. Taylor, ex-senator McCul-
Tough and Judge Rowland. On motion the lat
ter committee was instructed to get the views
of circuit judges throughout the State, il posi-
Bile, in time to enable the general committee to
report by the middle Of next month; and an ad-
journment was had, the meeting to reconvene al
the call of the general COMMITTEES.