Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-06-18
A NEW COURT.
It Is Instituted at Chicago by
Justice Harlan.
Its Duties Are TO Tighten the Bur-
dens of the Supreme Bench
Its Powers Described.
SET THE WHEELS IN MOTION.

CHICAGO. June 17.-The new United
States court of appeals, which is ex-
pected to remove an immense weight
from the already crowded SUI
preme court at Washington, was
formally organized in this district at
noon. At exactly IL o'clock Justice
Harlan and Judge Gresham entered the
courtroom, followed by Judges
Allen, Woods, Jenkins and Blod-
gett Judge Bum was not
among them. The courtroom was
crowded when the judges assembled the
bench and took the seats arranged in a
semi-circle. The formation of the new
court was not attended by any elabor-
ate ceremony, but great deal of inter-
est was manifested an the pro
ceedings. All the district judges
of this (the SEVENTH judicial
circuit We're present by invitation.
They were Judge J. L. jenkins, of
the eastern district of Wisconsin, who
holds court at Milwaukee, Judge r.
Bum, of the western district of Wis
consin, with headquarters at Madison;
Judge William J. Allen, of Springfield,
who presides over the southern district
of Illinois, and Judge W. A. Wood, of
Indianapolis
There was no business for the new
tribunal TO transact except to appoint
officers. These were a marshal, clerk
and crier. The first-named position
has attached to it a salary of 81, 500 per
year, while the clerk will receive
s., 600. The further business of the
court was to formally adopt rules of
practice as laid down in the act of con-
gress which created the court Capt
L. o. Gilman was appointed marshal,
and Oliver T. Morton, son of Indi-
ana's famous war governor and sena-
tor, was appointed clerk. Judge Blodg-
EFT was assigned as judge on the new
court, temporarily.
The new court as it was constituted
is only temporary. A similar court
VIII be organized in each judicial cir.
cult OF the United states, and when
congress meets next winter the
president will appoint an appel
late judge for each one. The judge
appointed for this circuit will take the
place of Judge Blodgett, and the tribu-
nal will then consist of Justice Harlan,
Judge Gresham and the new appointee.
In the absence of the supreme court JUS
tice the judge of the district court will sit
with the other two. The appellate court
will have power to render a final de.
cision in all cases tried in the United
States circuit or district courts in which
there is no constitutional question in
volved 1t will have jurisdiction in all
patent, revenue, criminal and admiral
ty cases, except when questions
arise which can only be settled under
the construction by the United States
supreme court. In this way the new
courts of appeal will greatly lessen
the work of the supreme court
and at the same time, it is believed,
they will facilitate business for law
yers and litigants. 1t has always been
that, even in cases small IN them
selves, but of great Importance 70
the parties concerned in them, years
were required to get a final decis-
ion on account of the overburdened
docket of the great tribunal at Wash
ington. Now decision. in ordinary
cases, viii he reached at the most in a
few months and great burden lifted
from the parties involved.