Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-13
NEED OF NEW JUDGE
Emphasized at the Opening Of
October Term.
INCREASED BUSINESS
SENTIMENT REGARDING LATE
JUDGE BRADLEY's SUCCESSOR.
Members of Bar Unanimous in Favor
Of Local Man-Prominent
Candidates.

With the beginning of the October term
of the Supreme Court Of the District OF
Columbia the great necessity for the prompt
appointment by the President Of the United
States Of a successor to the late Justice
Andrew c. Bradley is most keenly felt by
that portion of the community which has
business connected with the local courts.
The death of Justice Bradley occurred the
middle of last May. Comparatively soon
thereafter the summer recess Of the courts
was taken, and practically everything in
the way of legal proceedings, except routine
work, was suspended. The several branches
of the District Supreme Court resumed their
sessions in earnest today, however, and the
most marked activity in all parts Of the
city hall will be the rule until we'll along
into next summer. The calendars are
crowded-especially so as regards the
equity courts At the time of his death
Justice Bradley was presiding in Equity
Court No. 9. His sudden demise resulted in
great deal of important work of that par
ticuar character being left unfinished.
1t is regarded as a physical impossibility
for one judge to attend to all the equity
business that is brought to the attention Of
the Supreme Court Of the District of Column
bia. The mere signing of formal orders,
now that the work of two courts in that
respect is thrown on one, is consuming
much valuable time that should be devoted
TO matters OF more importance. Inc result
will be a stagnation of the most deplorable
character, the members of the bar de-
clare, unless the situation is relieved by
early action the part Of the President in
naming successor to Justice Bradley.
Accumulation Of Gases.
Owing to the accumulation of other cases.
1t is pointed out, none of the justices pre-
siding in the circuit and criminal branches
Of the court can properly be spared for as
signment to equity work al this time. Chief
Justice Bingham and Justice Clabaugh, in
Circuit Courts Nos. l and 2, respectively
have impaneled juries and will endeavor to
make appreciate and much demanded
Roadway with their formidab BILE calendars of
law cases. They are guarding in every way
possible against any wasting Of time. JUS
tice Anderson, in Criminal Court No. 1, will
have a most arduous winter There are
number Of murder cases awaiting trial. as
well as many other criminal causes of more
than ordinary Importance, including the
charge Of perjury against Corporal Richard
O'Rrien as the outcome of his sensational
testimony last spring before the Senate
committee on the Philippines. Furthermore
scores Of defendants In minor criminal
cases who were unable to furnish bail have
been confined in jail. many Of them since
early in the year. These are clamoring for
and entitled to speedy trials and they
will be given right Of way.
Justice Barnard, In Criminal Court No. 2,
in addition to hearing criminal causes, is
called upon to preside every morning In the
Probate Court. An exceptionally large
quota of contested will cases. which neces-
state trials by jury. confront Justice Bar
nard, to say nothing Of hundreds of civil
cases appealed from justices OF the peace.
From the foregoing it will be seen that
each Of the justices has his hands full to
overfiowing. AS remarked no one of them
can be spared to assist in the Equity Court
without injury to the circuit or criminal
business. Therefore 1t Is plain that every
days delay in filing the vacancy the
bench is adding to the hardships of liti-
giants In equity causes through the inability
of the court to consider the latter.
1t is equally apparent that the appointee
should by ell means be a man thoroughly
learned in the laws that apply to the Dis
trict of Columbia-a vigorous, energetic
man, who could and would take hold with
out having to be broken in" and forth
with help to relieve the existing crowded
condition of the calendar.
Members of the bar and citizens generally
are agreed that only local lawyer is com
petent to properly don the judicial ermine,
so far as the existing vacancy Is concerned.
Omission From the Code.
AS has heretofore been formally set forth,
the omission to include with the new code
SO much of the greater part of the old body
CT laws obviously suggests that any one
called to the Interpretation of the laws now
In force In the District, If he be not already
Versed in them, must spend years in &C
curing adequate knowledge of them; and