Wichita eagle., 1889-01-01
THE JUDICIAL CONVENTION.

people of Fort Scott, cordial welcome
to the gentlemen of the legal fraternity
who visit our city.
In all ages of the world the LAWYERS
have formed distinct and potent factor
in the social and political Development of
the era, and it is in harmony with the
natural DEVELOPMENT of the state that the
bar of southern Kansas should assemble
in representative capacity as leaders in
a movement in which the people as well
as the legal fraternity have deep and
growing interest. By reason of the
learning required in his profession, as
well as his superior opportunities for OBJ
servation and experience in statecraft,
the true lawyer has within his reach
boundless opportunities for the ex-
ercise of the noblest and most
unselfish qualities of the human heart.
The duty to be performed by the
convention called for the purpose of
devising ways and means for securing
action by congress looking to the division
of Kansas into two federal judicial dis
tricts, demands in its execution an hon
est and unselfish devotion to good gov
eminent and an economical and fair
administration of the laws. Kansas
should not be divided as is proposed for
the benefit of one or more cities, but for
the people. Therefore, all local pride
and personal ambition should be left in
the background while the gentle
men present council together upon the
main question which involves what is
best for the people. The Monitor be-
lieves that the true theory of Republican
government is opposed to the maintenance
of courts away from the people, and
hence while it is impracticable to hold
the federal courts in every county, they
should be brought as close to the people
as practicable. We believe that the
time has come when the growth of
Kansas, if the genius of our free lnsti-
tutions shall be permitted to sway, re-
quires the proposed division of the state
in order that the poorest citizen as
well as the richest. may have an equal
opportunity for justice in the federal
courts.
The character of the body of gentle
men who assemble in our city is a
guarantee that their deliberations will
be characterized by that wisdom which
the Importance Of the occasion demands.
For convenience of reference, we pub
lish herewith the bill now pending in
congress to establish a southern federal
judicial district in this state. Some few
changes will be needed in the bill by
reason of the changed condition of affairs,
but IN the main it is right and should be
passed.
In the course of time it may happen
that the western end of the state will
have sufficient population and could more
conveniently have federal courts at other
western points, and when that time
comes our people will be found ready to
aid them. The following is the bill.
An act to divide the State of Kansas into
two Judicial districts, fixing terms of
court and for the appointment of
judges and other officers therein.
Be it enacted by the senate and house
Of representatives of the United States
of America, in congress assembled: That
the state of Kansas is divided into two
judicial districts which shall be called the
northern and southern districts of Kan
sas. The southern district includes the
counties of Miami, Anderson. Coffey,
Greenwood, Butler, Harvey, Reno, Rice.
Barton, Rush, Ness, Lane, Scott, Wichi-
ia, Greeley, and all counties south of
them. The northern district shall include
all counties north of the said above
named counties.
Sec. 2. In addition to the general iuris-
diction conferred by law upon said
courts the said district court for said
southern district shall also have such
jurisdiction as is given by an act en-
titled: IAN act to provide for holding
term of the district court of the United
States, at Wichita, Kansas, and for
other purposes" Approved January s,
1888.
Sec. 3. Terms of the district court for
said northern district shall be held at the
seat of government on the second Mon
day in April and at Leavenworth on the
second Monday in October and the
terms Of the circuit court for said north
ern district shall be held at Leavenworth
on the first Monday in June, and at the
seat of government of the state on the
fourth Monday in November. Terms of
the district court for said southern dis
trict shall be held at Wichita on the
fourth Monday in April, and at Fort
Scott on the first Monday in November
Terms of the circuit court for said south
ern district shall be held at Fort Scott on
the second Monday in October, and at
Wichita on the first Monday in April
Sec. t. The present marshal and dis
trict attorney FOX the district of Kansas
shall be respectively the marshal and
district attorney for said southern dis
trict, and the district judge and the
remaining officers of the district and
circuit courts of said district of Kansas
shall be respectively the officers for
said northern district. 4 judge Of the
district court for said southern district,
as also clerk of the district and circuit
courts of said southern, shall be APP
pointed as in other cases provided By
law: as shall also marshal and district
attorney for said northern. Such Judges
and other officers shall hold for the
usual terms as provided by law, dating
from the time of their original appoint /
ment.
Sec. ). All cases pending in the dis !
trict or circuit court for the district OF
Kansas shall be held for trial ia said /.
northern district. except that all cases !
now pending IN the circuit court for the /
district OF Kansas. and still untried, |
wherein all Of the defendants reside in !
said southern district, shall be held for !
trial in said southern district. and the 4
clerk of the circuit court for the district |
of Kansas shall transmit 70 the clerk OF /
the circuit court for said southern dis |
trict all papers in such cases, together I
with certified copies OF all record entries /
therein; and bills Of costs in each case TO /
be taxed therein as in other cases.
Sec. 8. An acts and parts Of acts in 1
conflict with this act are hereby repealed 4
Sec. :. This act shall be in force and /
take effect from aud after August !, /
1859.
TIE Missouri Way.