The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-04

Judge c. H. Hanford. OF the Federal
court, returned yesterday from a vacation
OF month spent n travelling in the East
ern states. During that tine he visited
the principal cities Of the Atlantic coast
and spans several days at Saratoga, y.
Y. attending the annual meeting OF the
American Bar Association. that being the
principal object OF his journey. OF this
meeting but meager teiegraphic reports
were sent 70 the newspapers of the West
and Judge Hanford brings the first rews
70 Seattle OF important measures taken by
the association 70 obtain legislation radi-
caily changing the present Federal court
system. Upon this subject Judge Hanford
had the honor OF expressing his views TO
the asssocIa ton. While in Saratoga ne also
attended the national foreign policy con-
greSs then in session and comes back mona
than ever convinced that Il is no. only
sound policy, but the duty Of the United
States TO retain and govern all Spanish
colonies conquered in course OF the late
war.
Speaking OF the American Bar Associa-
ton meeting Judge Hanfori said tina. il
would, of course, be impossible for him 10
give any daGiled account Of its proceed
ings with the exception OF these regarding
the proposed changes in the present Fed
eral court system. in which he naturally
took most interest Last year he said.
COMMITTEES was appointed to prepare and
report at the next meeting a rough draft
of a bill TO be presented TO congress making
the changes indicated. These consist prin
cipaliy of taking from tho circuit court
and giving 10 the district court original
jurisdiction Of almost the entire civil bust
ness, now transacted in the former tribunal
Though in terms the proposition is not TO
abolish the circuit court. il practically
amounts TO the same thing. All the civil
business will. If the scheme crystallizes in
to law, be transacted in the one court At
present the district courts have original
jurisdiction OF only criminal and admiralty
cases. and civil suits in which the gov
eminent Is directly Interested while the
great bulk of the civil business OF private
persons IS transacted in the circuit courts.
Other changes are also contemplated in the
scheme. but they relate principally to the
appellate courts and are OF less Importance.
The committees report, Judge Hanford
says. had been carefully prepared for sub
mission TO the association, and although
considerable opposition TO It's adoption at
the present session became manifest, il
was, nevertheless, successfully carried
through. The proposed bill will be al once
prepared by the committee and introduced
at the coming session OF congress and an
attempt made 20 secure its passa ge
Judge Hanford, being himself A Federal
judge. was called upon 10 address the as
ISOLATION upon the question Of adopting
the report. He neither favored nor OBJ
posed the report itself. but argues against
the proposed kill being submitted to con-
gress at a short session when II would oe
liable 20 neglect, or hasty consideration
The COMMITTEE, however. seemed 10 con-
slider. Judge Hanford says, that it would
be useless 10 allow It's labor TO go for
naught by pcstpondug action on it's report.
The principal featGre Of interest in the
foreign policy congress 10 Judge Hanford
wa.s debate between Carl Schurz and
Judge Grosseup. OF Chicago, on the advis-
ability OF territorial expansion.
Mr.. Sehurz made an able plea" sad
Judge Hanford, for the narrow, old IA :