The Portland daily press., 1890-09-23
UNCLE SANS COURTS.
Senators Discussing Ways to Relieve
The Crowded DocketS.

WASHINGTON, September 22.-The Senate
resumed consideration of the bill to define
and regulate the jurisdiction of the courts of
The United States, the Ipending question be-
ing on Mr.. Daniels amendment extending
the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to all
cases of conviction of felony and all cases
where the matter in dispute is the right to
personal liberty or the right to the custody
of child.
Mr.. Vest offered substitute for the bill.
1t proposes that there shall be three divis-
ions OF the Supreme Court, composed of
three justices each. The Chief Justice shall
make assignments to these divisions, and all
shall be considered by the court in banc,
and shall require the concurrence of five JUS
tices. The Chief Justice shall apportion the
business to those divisions.
Mr.. vest said his object in offering the
amendment was to formulate and put on re-
cord the opinions of the minority Of the
Judiciary committee on the question, rather
than with view of obtaining the legislation
expressed In the amendment. Vacant seats
in the Senate chamber were evidence. he
said, how little interest was felt generally in
the question although it was one of the most
important questions to the people that could
be contemplated by any lawyer or citizen.
He declared his belief that it was bad policy
to go into the business Of increasing the
number of judges The principle of the
life offices OF the judges was abhorrent to
the people of the United States. In most of
the western states the appointment Of judges
had been taken from the governors and
vested in the people. He believed that was
1t was the duty of Congress to try the sys-
tenn as it existed, changing only the number
Of judges.
Mr.. Evarts said the necessity for remedy
for the congestion of the Supreme Court was
admitted on all sides Ihere In We're but two
was to proceed with the judicial establish
ment as it now stood with such rearrange-
ments as might be provided for. The other
was to provide an intermediate court OF
appeals, which, distributed through the diff
ferent districts, might be able to dispose of
tiOn. The latter plan was recommended by
the judiciary committee of the Senate.
Mr.. Vest suggested that the matter should
go over until the next session when it could
be more deliberately considered.
After further discussion, the Daniel
amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Vest did not insist on vote being
taken on his amendment, and the bill was
reported from the committee of the whole to
the Senate.
Nc. Dolph offered an amendment provid-
ing for tenth judicial circuit, and the ap-
pointment of two judges for it.
Mr.. ingalls, offered an amendment dividing
the judicial districts of the United States in
to eleven circuits.
The Vice President ruled that the amend
ment took precedence of the one proposed
by Mr.. Dolph. From r9n1d this ruling Mr.. Dolph
peal on the table. The latter motion was
agreed to- the Ingalls, amendment being thus
before the Senate. He modified il at the
suggestion of Mr.. Wilson OF Iowa, by omit.
ting Iowa from the eighth circuit and adding
it to the ninth. The amendment was reject
ed. Mr.. Dolph'S amendment was also re.
jected
Mr.. Vest offered an amendment for the di-
vision of the Supreme Court into three paris.
This was rejected.
After short executive session the Senate.
at 8. 80, adjourned.