Omaha daily bee., 1895-09-08
Columbia Metal Polish. Cross Gun Co.
MAY REQUIRE TWO JUDGES

Unusual Amount of Criminal Busi-
ness for the Coming Term.
There is already considerable talk by men,
bers Of the Omaha bar relative to the dis
position Of the criminal work at the Septem-
ber term of the district court. Some say
that two judges might just as we'll start in
at once and dispose Of the criminal
cases. If one judge attempts to do all
of the business Of the criminal section of the
district court he will find himself completely
swamped before the term is half over.
County Attorney Baldrge has expressed
the opinion that the trial of the six murder
cases will occupy large portion of the term
OF court.
The Seljan murder case is Of such an in
tricate character that this alone, it is stated,
may occupy weeks, the chain Of testimony
being of a crcumstantial character and de-
pending on many links for its development.
similar statement is made concerning the
Ish cases.
In addition to this, 1t is generally conceded
that cases of such magnitude must have first
place, all minor crimes yielding the trial
place on the docket and only meriting sec
ondary attention. Attorneys for the state say
that unless a murder case Is tried at date
comparatively near to the commission Of the
crime, 1t is a recognized fact that witnesses
may become scattered and a conviction rem
dered impossible.
yet SnOulu tne trldlS OF prlsuHerS Heiu loi
lesser crimes be pushed forward to another
term, as they would be If one judge had to
devote his attention to the trial OF murder
cases. 1t Is certain" says the county attorney
"that the county would ultimately find Itself
overwhelmed with habeas corpus cases. Pris-
oners ara entitled to trial within reason
able time from the date when incarcerated.' u
1t is maintained that should second term
elapse without trial being granted, many
prisoners who have been in jail for some
time already could easily get release under
the constitutional provision allowing speedy
trial.
The question Of having another Judge
called in to try criminal cases has already
been broached to members OF the district
court. Judge Keysor has been spoken to
in reference to the matter Questioned yes
terday regarding 1t he stated that he be-
lieyed any of the judges would be willing to
render assistance in the criminal work. He
doubted IL one would, however, touch the
criminal docket unless the intimation came
from the criminal section OF the district
court that it was desired. Already" he
continued, "too many times howl has been
raised in that quarter because judges had
been interfering with the claims OF G. X.
Scott over that branch OF the district court.
The Judge conceded that there was much
force in the suggestion that habeas corpus
cases might be brought unless something was
DONE in case the murder cases occupied the
expected time.
The state Of the civil docket renders II
possible, Judge Keysor says, for one OF the
judges to devote at least a part Of his time
to criminal work. The trial list Of cases is
about the same actually as during the May
term. The number Of cases on the new
docket is 1.671 against 1871 recorded for
the May term. The May term followed so
closely upon the January term that about
200 cases were carried over on the May
docket which had already been disposed Of,
thus making the falling off not any in
reality.