Evening star., 1899-01-03
TRIALS POSTPONED
Action Taken Today by the District
Supreme Court.
GRANTS BAR ASSOCIATIONS REQUEST
Jurors in Criminal Court No. 2 Ex-
cused From Service.
THE JUDGES ASSIGNED
THE JUDGES ASSIGNED

The judges of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia. in conference today
agreed to postpone all trials for two weeks
Ihls action was taken in connection with
the request of the bar association tha. all
the courts be adjourned for the period
mentioned in order that the committee of
the association might uninterruptedly ex-
anime the code of law prepared by Judge
Cox. The judges concluded that an ad-
journment would hardly be proper, as
there are routine matters that must be dis
posed of without delay. The courts will
therefore adjourn from day to day. Rou-
tine business will be in order, in the dis
cret!on of the judges, but no trials to
be held.
No session of Criminal Court No will
be held during the month. Those sum-
moned to serve as jurors therein were to-
day excused finally, and all they were
called on for to answer when their
names We're called and receive from the
marshal their Pay for the day. In the
other courts those summoned to serve as
jurors Were excused until Monday, January
16 None of the petit juTies Were organized
today.
Criminal Court No > will not be in ses-
sion during the month for the reason that
the calendar is in such condition that all
cases awaiting trial can be disposed of in
enc court There are only ten prisoners
row in Jail awaiting trial in the Criminal
Court. The murder cases, in which no steps
have been taken pending a ruling by the
Supreme Court of the United States in the
question of capital punishment could not
readily be brought into court in less than
two weeks by reason Of the large amount
of pr paratiOu necessary in such class of
cases
Court of appeals Calendars.
The Court of Appeals, on motion of Mr..
a. S. Worthington. today agreed 10 post
pone calling the general and special calen-
dar for two weeks. The court adjourned
until next Tuesday, when patent appeals
will be heard.
The business of the office of the clerk of
the District Supreme Court and that of the
clerk of the Court of Appeals will continue
as usual.
The assignment of the judges to the sew
eral branches Of the court for the year 1899
was also decided on at the conference to-
day. Judge Cox Will continue to sit in
Equity Court No. l. Judge McComas is
changed from Circuit Court No > to Equity
Court No. for the remainder of his stay
on the bench. Judge Hagner is to preside
Equity Court No ?. He will also discon-
tinue his duties in the Orphans Court
Judge Cole will vacate his seat in Circuit
Court No l and hold Criminal Court No. l.
Judge Bradley for the pres retains his
assignment in Criminal Court No :. and in
addition, succeeds Judge Hagner in looking
after Orphans Court business. Judge Brad
ley will also sit il Circuit Court No. dur
ing the illness of Chief Justice Bingham
The assignment of the chief justice is vet
IN doubt. no action being taken so far as he
Is concerned. for the reason that he was
not in attendance at the conference TODAY
The probabilities are though, that he will
hold Circuit Court No. l.
Judge McComas' Successor
When Judge McComas leaves the bench
the 1st of March some changes in the as
signment will be in order. 1t is customary
for new member Of the bench TO make his
debut, so to speak. in the Criminal Court
Judge McComaS' successor will undoubted-
~ pc assigned to Criminal Court No. = and
Judge Bradley will go to one of the circuit
or equity branches.