The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-26

the senior Judge be chief justice,
and the term of Office to be six
years.
Section four fixes the powers of
the powers of Supreme courts.
Civil actions for sums less than
5000 can not be appealed to this
court except to test tho constitu-
tionality of statutes.
Section five makes provisions
for superior courts in each county.
Until otherwise provided for by
legislative enactment the counties
of Clark, Skamania, Pacific, Cow
litz and Wahkiakum will form one
district. This Office is elective,
and vacancies are filled by appoint
ment OF the governor. The first
set of judges hold Office for three
years. After that tho term is six
years. Section six fixes the power
of these courts. Their scope is
similar to the present district
court.
Section seven provides for in
terehange Of duties among judges
and forjudges pro-tempore in spec
ial cases. Section eight provided
that absence Of any judge from
the state for more than 60 days,
than 60 days without special per.
mission Of the governor, causes
forfeiture Of Office. Section nine
provides for the impeachment Of
judges before the Legislature.
Section ten is as follows: The
legislature shall determine the
number ofjustices Of the peace to
be elected in incorporated cities or
towns and in precincts, and shall
prescribe by law the powers, du-
ties and jurisdiction Of justices Of
the peace. Provided, that such
jurisdiction granted by the legis-
lature shall not trench upon the
jurisdiction of superior or other
courts of record. In incorporated
cities or towns having more than
5000 inhabitants the justices OF the
peace shall receive such salary as
may be provided by law, and shall
receive no fees for their use.
Section eleven: The supreme
court and the superior courts shall
be courts of record and the legis-
lature shall have power to provide
that any Of the courts Of this
state, excepting justices Of the
peace, shall become courts of rec.
ord.
Section twelve: The Legislature
shall prescribe by law the jurisaic.
ton and powers of any Of the in.
erior courts which may be estab-
ished in pursuance to this eonsti-
tuition. Sections thirteen to nine
teen provides that no judicial Of
ticer, except unsalaried justices
shall receive fees. Judges shall
be paid by salary, half from the
county and half from the state
Supreme judges get $4,000 year
and county judges $4,000 payable
quarterly. Judges cannot practice
law during their term of Office
Section twenty provides that de
cision in all cases must be made
within 80 days from submission Of
the case. Section twenty-one says
The legislature shall provide TO
the speedy publication of opin
ions OF the supreme court, and al
opinions shall be free for publica
ton by any person. Section twenty
two provides that the clerk of tn
supreme court shall be appointet
by the judge, but the Legislature
has liberty to make this an cleo
tive Office.
Section twenty-three: In an,
case in the supreme court in whicl
ajudge is disqualified the remain
ing judges shall choose some dis
interested member of the suprem,
coart bar to participate with then
in the hearing and decision of tn
case, according to law, and the de
cision rendered by the court thu,
constituted shall stand as other dc
cisions in said court.
Section twenty-four: Their,
may be appointed in each coun
ty, by tho judge of the supsrio
conrt having jurisdiction therein
one or more court commissioners
not exceeding three in number
who shall have authority to per
form like duties as a Judge of tn,
superior court at chambers, sub
iect to revision by auch Judge, to
take dispositions and to perform
such other business connected Will
the administration of Justice a
may be prescribed by law.
Section twenty-six: The coun
~ clerk shall be, by virtue Of hi
office. clerk Of the superior coart
Section twenty seven: Ths
style OF all process shall BE- "Tht
Slate of Washington" and all
prosecutions shall be conducted il
its name aud by its authority.