The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-13
Question Considered BY the
Caucus Last Night.
BUT IT WAS NOT SETTLED
ANOTHER CAUCUS NEXT TUES
DAY NIGHT.
ASSISTANT ENROLLING CLERK CHOSEN
The Argument Presented in the aucus for and
against an Increase in The Number
Of the Sup ,rior Court
District.

District.
To create new offices or not to ere
ate them was the thrilling question that
last night occupied the attention of the
Democratic members OF the General As
semhly.
Is it better to suffer awhile longer the
calendars. or to, end them by violating
campaign promises and establishing new
judicial districts?
These and similar questions We're last
night asked over and over for three
mortal hours in joint caucus of Dem
ocratic members of the House and Sen
ate. But no answer came. The ques-
tons were discussed in Ill their phases
but no solution resulted.
And so, at IL o'clock the caucus adj
lourned TO meet again Tuesday night
and take another bite at the cherry.
The caucus considered the matter OF
establishing more Superior court cir
cults.
The committee in charge recommended
that four additional Superior court dis
tricts be formed. One of these addi-
tional judges is TO be in a small circuit
and to act when other judges are sick
or for any cause cannot hold court in
4 county.
Senator Glenn. speaking in support Of
the report. made a very elaborate state
) ment as to the needs for additional
Terms, and also made {, comparative
III, ...-{.. II
perior courts and criminal courts and .ex-
ira terms. He gave a statement Of the
court facilities OF other States.
Senator Cooke thought that as we
had elected two Democratic judges fot
the criminal courts they should not be
speedily abolished and that the men
elected should be notified. and he m,ls
/ alot aplr areds now 1o4yotc. i. 4s "
Mr.. Ransom, of Mecklenburg. said he
had calculated that twelve judges could
give the State, $50 courts a year. an
average of five courts to a county, and
3 sit forty weeks il year.
Mr.. Ray. of Macon. opposed establish
ing any more Offices or any more judge
ships, and thought the districts could be
arranged by taking the counties reqnir-
ing a small number OF courts and put
ting them in districts with a few of the
counties which need more terms. He
reviewed the establishment Of courts in
the State and he thought the demands
came up for more courts because crime
had congregated in cities and large towns
and that those counties and cities should
hear the expense of the extra term. This
was not Il question in the campaign, he
said. except that it was said we would
n a. L.
money. 'sWe promised reduction of Of
fees. 1t will be no defense to our party
To say that other States have more
judges. We did not promise the people
10 vote for more offices. but we told
them we would reduce offices and si,la-
ries. Let us stand to our pledge. Tn
der the decisions of our courts the Grim
inal courts are useless.
Mr.. Robinson, of Cumberland. thought
the necessities of the State called for
more judges and spoke Of the work done
by the present judges. More terms will
not be IN adequate relief, because the
time of our judges is now taken up.
The business interests require this.
I'VE are now a business State and us
our business interests become more and
more important the demand for more
viii give speedy trials and speedy re-
lief"
Senator Daniels thought that some of
the best talent in the state was willing
TO take the incubus of this low salary
and hard work under the present sala-
ries and present work. Eminent men
in the State have taken those offices and
are now willing to take them. Four new
.t.I, xx.iH coll fap
He had not observed that any Of the
judges who are his personal friends,
were wearing under the burden or even
giving up the office. I'VE have to meet
the people on this question.
Senator Bryan said if the courts were
needed then he would vote for any
needed number lie was willing to do
right and suit the needs of the people.
When that is done the people will up
hold the Legislature THE trouble is
not with over-work, hut with under
work. The people ut large are just.
They know the difference between right
and wrong Ii we can show them we
have done what is right and what is
needed then the people will sustain us
Mr.. Curtis. of Buncombe, spoke as Il
farmer and backwoodsman. so he said.
He made a straight forward speech. He
told his people that if he could NOT do bet
ter than the fellow who ran against him
he would quit. He was here to do what
was right. This, question has two
sides to it. | am for judges and courts
enough to give men justice and speedy
trials. lie cited numerous Instances Of
delayed justice and excessive costs on
account OF delay. He made IL most in
terestins speech and was ut times loudly
appfauded for his splendid humor and
wit.
senator Ward. of Washington. re-
garded this rs the most important mat
ter that will be discussed. His county