The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-23

The meeting of the members of the
bar last night to discuss the question of
two courts for Roanoke was attended by
seventeen lawyers, who discussed the
matter very thoroughly, They all
agreed that the Hastings Court should
be relieved in some way, but there was
difference of opinion as to how this
relief should be afforded.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. J. Allen Watts. Colonel Penn was
elected chairman and John M. Hart
secretary. Colonel Penn, upon taking
the chair, stated that the meeting was
called at the wish of the members of the
charter committee to consider whether
it is more advisable to attempt tho or
ganization Of an independent court of
record. and if so what jurisdiction it
should have, or whether it would be
better to ask the legislature to form a
new circuit, composed of Roanoke city
and some adjacent county.
Judge King, chairman of the charter
committee, stated that the committee
is now engaged in preparing 4 new
charter for Roanoke, and they are con-
fronted with the fact that at the pres
ent time, at least, the present judicial
organization is inadequate to the de-
mands of litigation that have arisen, and
the charter committee, at the sugges-
tion of some members of the bar, called
the meeting to ascertain tho wishes of
the bar and discover the best method to
solve the problem.
AS tho chairman Of that committee,
he would be glad to have the sense of
the bar as to whether there shall be
two courts for Roanoke city alone or
ask the legislature to organize new
circuit embracing Roanoke and some
adjacent county, SO that there can be
frequent sessions in Roanoke city. Mr.
j. A. Dupuy said that constitutional
question has presented itself to his
mind as to ito right to organize new
circuit out and out to divide tho work
which is now in tho Hastings Court.
But waving tho question of the con-
stitutional right, it seemed to him that
there are enough courts if they were
only put into operation. lie. thought
that if tho present circuit court, which
now holds two terms year, would meet
oftener the relief would be granted
In his opinion four terms year would
be sufficient. AT present it is physically
impossible for Judge Robertson to keep
up with the rush of work. Mr.. Lockett
thought that the most practical way of
getting out of this difficulty is TO get
the legislature to give us a circuit court
for this city and some adjacent county,
say the county of Craig, with four terms
in this city. lie did not think it would
be well to include the county of Roam
oke, but some large county, and let the
court hold eight terms, four for the
county and four for the city. The
work is unquestionably too much for one
judicial officer to perform. There is no
doubt about that.
MIR. j. Allen Watts did not think that
there can be any question as to tho
need Of another court Ali will agree
to that. 1t seemed to him that if there
is one cause greater than another that
prevents the development Of Virginia,
tits our collection law. He though
that it would be matter of economy
for this city to spend a larger amount
than it now spends for additional courts,
If for no other reason than an induce
ment for capital to come here to invest,
80 that there may be an opportunity of
showing people in other cities that
whatever may be the difficulties in get
ting the money elsewhere in Virginia,
certainly in Roanoke it can be collected
in very few months.
This argument would bring a great
deal OF money here that is kept away
by these collection laws. If there were
sufficient number OF courts this trouble
would be obviated and the money that
would come into the city would
more than compensate for the cost.
Dir. Watts favored tho establishment of
in TIo
the legislature would establish q new
circuit, but would order the present
circuit court to hold more terms. Judge
Biair'S circuit has less work to it than
any circuit in the State, and at the
most no does not hold court more than
tour and one-half months in the year.
If 5'udge Blair should hold four terms
during The year, he did not think that
Judge Robertson would be relieved.
ChaRcecy cases would still be brought
into the Hastings Court because that
will Lold court every month. Mr..
Watts favored the establishment Of
court coordinate with the Hastings
Court. Ajudge for this court can be
secured for $1,000 or $1,000 a year, and
would not be necessary to so outside
the city for one. There are LAWYERS in
Roanoke who would make excellent
sudges.
MIR. Staples thought that no constitu-
tional question was invoked in this
matter. The Legislature has the power
to create any SQUIRT that tho demands
OF the city may make necessary. He
spoke of tho crowded condition of the
Hastings Court. sud said no felt that
circuit court, giving to this city four
terms year, will beat relieve the wants
la the city of Richmond tho entire com
mon law business of that city Is trans
acted by one court of four terms year
Capt. John Ii. Wrigh. fully endorsed
the position taken ty Mr.. Watts. He