The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-06

the Pacific coast. Every lawyer is fully aware
tnat such decisions must have little value, for
no Judge can guess at the law at such a rapid
W: II. white-No, sir. Another Judge is not
needed IL would be throwing money away.
anree judges are enough TO do the busines of
Judge Roger S. Greene Seattle is the CONNER
cial and financial center of the Northwest, and
Tor this reason ii has much more litigation
proportlonately 10 population than any other
city. Many matters are brought into our courts
here because OF this. Another Judge is sorely
needed. Three judges cannot handle the in
A. f. Burleigll--In my opinion two new judges
instead OF one should be provided for this dis
trict by the present legislature. In the first
place there's now all the business. IL not more,
than can be disposed of by four Judges In the
second place we must remember that Ii win be
two years before another legislature win con-
vene seattle VIII grow great deal in the next
two years. She will have more railroads, and
they viii greatly increase litigation. II but one
acditionai judge Is secured this year, the result
Will be before the next legislature conyenes we
will be worse on than now. No mistake will be
made by the appointment of two more judges.
Fred ii. Peterson-lf il were not that the pro-
court think three judges could do the work.
As II 10, think another judge Is needed TO have
charge of the probate department. With probate
and equity business all thrown into one depart
ment, makes too much work for one Judge.
PROBATE matters are constantly coming In, de-
n,anding the attention of the judge in the midst
-
Orders for the sale of property in estates inyolv-
ing from $4,000 to 100000 are frequently
brought in for the signature of the court. These
can De signed IN moment, but they should be
given time and thorough investigation. AS q
result, arguments in equity cases have to be cut
short. which is very unsatisfactory to the attor-
neys. And then, too, business is growing very
rapidly. When / came here in 1883 only 4,o00
cases had been filed. Since then over 5000 have
been filed in the clerks Office
Boyd j. Tallman--I am decidedly of the
opinion that fourth judge is needed Every
body knows that Judge Osborn was occupied
nearly the whole time with the probate bust
ness, which has been added to the business of
the superior court. Before this was done three
judges could not dispose of the increasing bust
ness have never seen an attorney stop to
consult his client few moments in the trial of
a case but what the court would say: Proceed,
gentlemen; there are many cases waiting" At
torneys should not be crowded. There would
not be so many appeals or motions for new
trial II they were not rushed so. On the other
hand, the judges should not be compelled TO sit
on the bench like day laborers, taking up new
case as fast as one is disposed of. They should
have time to deliberate more upon judgments
and rulings.
another judge. There is work enough TO keep
four judges busy. The probate business alone
Is almost enough to keep one man busy IL he
gives it proper attention; It takes too long to
exist If they can be avoided. have case that
will take two or three days to hear, but under
the present arrangement only one hour day
department alone is all any man can attend TO.
Judge Lichtenberg is always oyerworked, and
the other judges have more than they can do.
Because the judges are occasionally idle for
while IL does not signify that there is nothing
for them to do. Sometimes attorneys are not
ready Tor trial or cases have 10 go over for var
ious reasons, and nothing else being set for that
time the judges get little rest There are
nearly 200 cases noted for trial now, and many
more will be noted for trial, but the at
torneys know they cannot be reached and do not
attempt to get them ready. / think there are
many good reasons for having another judge
and nearly all of the members of the bar have
signed a petition for the appointment of fourth
judge for this county
NJ. NJ. Holmes-I think there is enough work
for a fourth judge. The judge salary doesn't
amount to much, and it would save money to
the county to have the work well kent up A
great part of the expense of the court is due to
jury and witness fees.
Judge Thomas Burke-If three judges can do
the work, let them do it; If they cannot let US
have fourth, don't know whether the work
is too much for three judges, for have been SO
busy moving that have not had time to think
ab0ut