The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-13

A. stated yesterday morning in our tel
egraphic reports from Olympia, house bill
No. Sc, introduced by Hon. w. P. McEl-
vain, Of this county. providing for an adj
ditional superior Judge for King county.
morning at 10 o'clock.
There certainly can be no doubt in the
mind Of any one who has given this sub
ject careful consideration as to the neces-
sity Of an additional judge in this county.
according to a report recently published
b. the clerk Of the court. there are at pres
eut about 800 cases on his docket at issue
when We remember that criminal. probate
and some 9th classes of cases. such as
iujunctions. take precedence over other
civil causes il can be seen at once that q
litigant who has a case in our courts to-
day will not be able to get the same to
trial for from three to six months. The
mere statement of that fact is enough to
convince any urprej udiced mind that I'M
der such circumstances il is impossible for
our citizens to have their differences set
tied by the courts in that prompt manner
so essential in the conduct of business en-
terprises. Delay in the trial of a case too
often amounts to denial of justice TO one,
and often TO both of the parties.
The crowded condition Of our court
docket is caused by no fault or neglect of
our judges. As they have all worked
earnestly and conscientiously 10 keep
clear the dockets of the respective depart
ments over which they preside some Of
the Judges frequently holding long night
sessions. The necessity of an additional
judge in this county is We'll understood
and recognized by the members of the
bar. AZ meeting of the King County
Bar Association. held about the middle
OF last December. a committee was an.
pointed 10 investigate this very subject
and to ascertain whether an additional
judge was necessary, and after taking
time ~ carefully look into the matter.
drew up and signed the following rsport:
TO he Chairman ard Members Of ne Kiag County
4 CT AssoclGtiog; our committee appointed 10
inquire .uto and ascertain whether or no. az AL
d!tlcBal superior court judge - necess ary in
kirg county begs leave 10 report that after due
aud careful consideration we are unanimously
of the opiaion that nj least one additional supe-
rior judge IN SAID county Is al absolute nscss-
s.ty.
CHARLES F FIsHBAcK, Chairman.
J.. !. CARROLL.
". 2. VI ELwAiN
JANIS r DowD,
+ {. HvGRss
esattie, Dee 30, 1897
These men are all lawyers in active prac-
tice in this county. some Of them being
recognized leaders of the bar. and certainly
their opinion should be given great weight
in this matter.
A bill, somewhat related to this subject.
has been introduced in the senate by Sem
ator Dyer, the rurport Of which is 10 give
Judges the power 10 call in = judge, or
Judges, from any other county in the state
10 try such cases as may be called before
him. We see no objection 10 this bill, bat
on the contrary think il ne-isori0us
measure. and hope it will become law.
II IL is passed and becomes law it will
snable = Judge who, for any reason, is dis
qualified in 8 particular case, 30 call in
brother Judge from some other county.
In cases of that nature it will lie OF great
senent. Bu, so far as conditions sucn IS
We have shown exist at the present time
in this county are concerned. IL Will be Of
l.le or no benefit To clear up the docket