The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-01
THE PROBATE COURT.
Time for Holding Sessions May Be
Changed Soon.

tOE IOldAAS SESSIONS way ne
Changed Soon.
It is probable that within tie next week
or two the time Of holding the sessions
of the Probate Court will be changed so
as to begin at 10 a m, instead of at
p. m. each day This change was sug-
gested some time ago by Louis A Dent
the Register of Wills, and met with the
approval Of Justice Cole, then presiding in
that branch Of the Supreme Court of the
District No action was taken in the
matter, however, because of the fact that
1t was known at that time that Justice
Cole would soon resign from the bench.
1t is understood, however. that the
change Is also favored by other JUST ;es
of the District bench, and there is little
doubt that It will soon be put into ef-
feet
There are several reasons why such a
change would benefit the conduct of the
business Of the Probate Court. Under the
present custom one Of the Justices presid-
ing in one Of the branches OF the Criminal
! Court also presides in the Probate Court.
The session of the latter usually lasts
from y. m to $50 p. m OF perhaps
longer if necessary This allows only thir-
ty minutes for the Justice who attends to
the business of the Probate Court to take
lunch and consider any other business
which demands Immediate attention. on
the other hand, It is stated by the Regis
ter of Wills that the midday session of
the Probate Court breaks in on the bust
ness of the day, while a morning session
would permit Of a long days work with
out interruption This, he said, would rer-
nit the force In his Office to accomplish
much more each day Under the present
system however, Mr.. Dent says that the
Is III n dgf at ha ole -
ice hours each day
IN this connection It may be stated that
there has been considerable discussion OF
IaJe as 10 what amendments will be Of
fered to the new code of laws for the
government Of the District at the coming
session OF Congress There are many who
favor the creation Of Probate Court as
a separate branch of the Supreme Court
OF the District, presided over by member
OF the District bench. To accomplish this
II Is claimed that IL viii be necessary 10
increase the number of JUSTICES from tn
present member to seven. The question
OF MI Dents eligibility to the position Of
justice or the Probate Court has been dis
cuSsed- On one hand II IS claimed that
he Is not eligible because he is not a
member Of the bar On the other hand
Il IS said by friends Of Mr.. Dent that his
not being q member of the bar At pres
ent would be but a small obstacle in the
way of his elevation TO the bench in the
event OF the number Of members OF the
Dench belng increased to seven. with i
view OF assigning the new Justices to the
Probate Court Mr. Dent, il is stated is
well yersed in law. particularly probate
law he has already. it is said taken a
two and half years course. besides hay
ing studied for nearly three years in the
Offices OF eminent attorneys.
There are, however, Z number OF mem
beTs OF the local bar who are Of the opiu-
lon that the Office Of the Register Of
Wills should De placed under the super
vision and management of the Clerk Of
the Supreme Court of the District TAX
ing II al in all, however, there is little
doubt that the settlement Of the question
wiz be made q matter Of serious consider
alton during the coming session Of Con-
ETesS