Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-04-24
To the Public.

uCiC iltS DcCu III uCT SalO aOOu1
the creating of an intermediate
court for Wayne county. 1t is prop.
er, though not necessary that
speak. In the first place it is RICH,
that the people of Wayne should
know in full the history cfthe inter
mediate court. In the second place
l owe it to myself to relate what
know about the matter, since ! am
it seems, made the scape goat (by
some of the whole business from
beginning to end. While / am moi
publicly charged with the origin
and conduct of the whole matter
it is quietly whispered that l am the
prime mover and have been a con-
slant advocate of the measure.
therefore for the enlightenment al
the public as well as in defense OF
myself tell all / know of the birth,
death and resurrection of the inter
mediate court bill.
In 1884 while waiting for the or.
ders to he entered before the ad.
tournament of the Wayne circuit
court it was suggested by some one
of the local bar that an intermediate
court be established in order to
keep up with the business.
Judge McGinnis then on tn.
bench had the confidence of the bal
as to his ability and efficiency, hui
it was thought that the limited time
of his court was not sufficient 70,
the circuit judge to keep pace with
the business of the court. Judge
McGinnis shared the opinion.
AT this time was member oil
the Senate. The Legislature met
in January, 1885. About the first
of February following, / received
bill from the local bar prepared
by ii. K. Shuma;e, 6. F. Ratlif'
] NJ. Tiernan, ]. S. Marcum and
b. Prichard, with a request t.
have it passed. The bill did no,
impress me favorably, especially
since | did not know the sentiments
of my constituents concerning il.
l Immediately consulted G. w
Ferguson then a member of the
House of Delegates, from Wayg :
We decided to submit the bill snd
by the time it would appear on the
calendar for passage we could Dt
advised by our constituents as tc
their wishes concerning the matter
| therefore introduced the bill a.
sent me which was referred to the
Judiciary Committee of which
was Chairman. The Committe,
after consideration directed me tC
report the bill back to the Senat,
with the recommendation that il BIZ
passed. did so. In the mean
time ! wrote to Mr.. ]. s. Marcun
expressing my fears OF the prophet,
of its passage. Judge McGinnis
mind having undergone chang,
he writes up that he could do til,
business and would clean the dock
ct In addition number Of citi
zens of Wayne wrote up that tn,
court was unnecessary, stating tina
the Judge said he could do the bus
mess. With this information
abandoned the bill which / nigh
easily have passed. Since that tim,
| have had nothing TO do with ih,
matter, either directly o. indirectly
Our present Judge L. II. Harye,
has held one term Of court an,
4 proves himself an efficient office
and ] trust that he will be able {,
clean the docket. In the event thu
he has not the misfortune that Judg
McGinnis had Of having a larp
number Of felony cases to dispos
OF he will undoubtedly be able t
dispose Of the business.
Ny fears are that with the pres
ent term Of the county court an,
then the terms provided for by tn
intermediate court that there will b
too much court, and prove burden
! knew nothing whatever Of tn
passage Of the bill by the presen
Legislature until after the adjourn
ment. In conclusion will snl
add that il the people Of Wayne d
not want this court the sacred RICH
Of petition is not and cannot b
abridged and the power that mad
can unmake the law, and as th
Legislature will soon meet this la,
can be repealed.
Respectfully.
Z 6. g. BURGESS.