The record-union., 1895-02-16
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE.
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Judge Johnson would both prefer to hear
the lawyers argue them.
The increase of criminal business in
this county is another drawback. Some
of them take one day, and some take sew
eral weeks. At one time there were about
twelve murder cases pending in court at
one time. One murder case was tried
three times, lasting several weeks each
time, and a foreign Judge was called in
to try it. Within the past three years
twenty murder cases have been before
the court, and twelve have been disposed
of. He had never heard any complaint
that the Judges had not done all they
could. 1t would be for the benefit of liti-
giants that this bill should pass. He eX-
planned the workings of the two depart
ments and the distribution of cases. 4
large number OF gentlemen who signed
the remonstrance have since stated that
they signed it under a misapprehension.
He believed that the creation of another
Judgeship would be real saving to the
people, and instanced one case where
continuance which was rendered neces-
sary by the press Of business cost the
county over $500.
Judge Johnson said that Judge Catlin
had so thoroughly gone into the details of
the court business of the two depart
ments, that very little remained to be
told. He also explained how the law ca
lendar and the Trial calendar were ar
ranged. The murder cases were tried in
Department Two, as were the probate
cases. In the two years he had been on
the bench the average cases on the law
calendar on each Friday have been
twenty mine, and the average for the pre-
ceding two years had been twenty for
each Friday, showing large increase of
business. There were so many cases on
l., i i
to do work in chambers. When some at
torney has case continued it goes over
for the term.
He thought a Judge should have at
least one-third of his time to devote to his
work in cham bers. but he could find very
little time for it.
The criminal cases are rapidly increas-
ing, as criminals discharged from Fol-
som are discharged and given about
enough money 10 bring them to Sacra-
mento and keep them day or two, when
they commit some crime aud have to be
tried here. This makes Sacramento a
dumping ground for criminals from the
whole State. Many State cases are also
tried here. During the last year there
were over LOCO civil cases filed. OF course
some Of them are settled, but enough re-
main for trial to overburden the courts.
Whenever case came up In which he
he was disqualified he had exchanged
with Judge Prewett of Placer. so that
he had been continually engaged.
Mr.. Brusie SAID that the committee had
listened TO the best authority on the mat
tec, and he did not think more remained
to be said.
In answer to question by one of the
committee as 10 the opposition to the bill,
X. NJ. CIarken stated that Mr.. Mcconnell
who circulated the petition against the
bill, had told him that the Opposi-
no mt ,Ir-F
idea that II a third Judgeship were Gre
ated the lawyers would ask for new
! Courthouse, sand the people did not wish
| to be subjected to that expense.
A. ). Bruner gave figures showing the
great increase in business from 1887 to the
past year, and the number of days last
year consumed in trying cases. Out of
four cases in which he was engaged, one
had been tried one will be tried when
ever day can be found on which some
case already set is continued, and the
other two are not yet set. To-day very
important case was partly heard, but the
argument had to 60 over for two weeks
Then there are over 100 insanity cases a
year.
Mr.. Cutter asked how, in case the
Legislature should pass law now before
it, providing that the court must try in
sanity cases with a jury, such cases could
be tried, and Mr.. Bruner said it would be
Impossible 10 Try tDeln. instead OF IN
creasing litigation, a third department
would decrease it. There are now on an
average of three and one-half fully iiti-
gated cases day that ought to be tried,
and no Judge can do it.
Mr.. Brusie said he and his colleague,
Mr.. Hatfield, differed on this matter, but
! there was no personal feeling between
them, and he would ask that, if any fur
Their hearing is had, that opportunity
might be had to file petition.
! Mr.. Hatfield spoke in a SIMILAR strain,
and said he would present the protest
| that had been presented to him.
Judge Waymire said that he did not
propose to be influenced by the length of
| petitions. 1t was question of the judg-
| ment OF the committee. 1t had listened to
the two Superior Judges of the county,
who knew the situation.
| Mr.. Hatfield said that he thought the
| persons on the petition represented a
class who should be heard. and for that
reason he suggested further nearing on
| Monday night.
| 1t was decided that if further hearing
was asked it could be had
Legislative Notes,