Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-29

S29O.5Sl.61O


Which would show As. 43O. 26s for each of the
six justices the entire valuation. and
50. 55I.25 on the valuation for taxable pur-
poses.
Since 1850 the operations OF the general gov
eminent have ampllfied to an amazing extent,
ant this increase Is felt i'll greater degree in
this jurisdiction than In any other portion of
the country. The population of the District OF
Columbia l. larger than that of either of six
states OF the Union. and the amount OF the as
sessed values in the District Is greater than
that in each of six Of the states and the entire
valuation exceeds the assessed value OF property
in each of sixteen of the states.
Such an expansion Of wealth and population
would necessarily imply corresponding
growth in the amount OF litigation, and the
facts show even a greater propOrtionats in
crease III the business of the courts.
During the sixty years from 1868 to 1864 the
entire number OF equity suits brought not
more than $500. From 1863 to February /.
1892. the number brought amounts to 1850.
Within the latter period more than 81 .51 civil
cases have been brought before the special
term holding the Circuit Court. notwithstand-
ing the extension of the jurisdiction of justices
OF the peace IN civil cases beyond so, which
withdrew from that court a large class of cases
formerly contributing considerable part Of
the business of the old Circuit Court
Since 1868 lS,c49 cases have been before the
Criminal Court. although the Police Court has
exclusive jurisdiction OF many minor offenses,
which. during the past year. numbered 1909
cases. and for the last three years numbered
As 91S
For the twenty-six years before 1868 the num-
Der of administratio cases before the Orphans
Court was LAP.
From 1868 To February. 1892. the administra-
ton cases In that court numbered 1851.
The guardianship cases during the first
! named period before 1866 numbered 935, and
since 1868 they amount TO 5000.
| The increased values OF the estates involved
| in the business IN that court Is very marked as
might be expected from the greater prosperity
/ of the people.
| Besides the great mass of prosecutions in the
! Police Court the number of cases disposed of
in the Criminal Court Of the District Of Co.
/ Iumbia exceeds In amount more than one
fourth Of the entire criminal business in all the
United States courts of the country =.
/ The jurisdiction Of the Supreme Court Of this
District Is more extensive and varied than
| that of any court in the country except the
| Supreme Court of the United States.
| II IS charged with all the powers and iuris-
diction Of the circuit and district courts OF the
United States and with all criminal jurisdiction
4 Except in petty cases friable in the Police
/ Court. many OF which may come to the Grim
| inal Court by appeal 1t lie the only cour,
! authorized to hear appeals from the commits
| sioner of patents in Certain cases. and il DOS
1 sesses ell the extensive and varied common
Law jurisdiction belonging to the highest courts
| In Narylsnd in 1901, by virtue of which 1t has
l cognizance of application for mandamus aeaips,
| officials Of :hJ government
A large part of the litigation thus devolved
| upon this court is directly the consequence Of
its lccati N at the seat Of government, and the
immense business transactions connected viii
its operations
The civil business brought before the Eouit,
and Circuit Courts for the greater part 10 sucf
rs appertains to large cities, and presents con
slant questions Of difficulty in commercial law
frequently involving large amounts.