The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-02-06
REFORM URGED
BY THE BAR
Ass n.
Jacksonville Lawyers Out
line Plan to Relieve Con-
gestion of Courts.

ACtO al LII RO4 SohI 0ICONAAO SAAo &iAOAA
ing in the circuit court room, which
was largely attended, says a recent
issue of the Jacksonville Metropolis.
The members discussed the coming
formation of state bar association
in this city on Tuesday, and decided
that, Notwithstanding that Jackson
vile had more lawyers than any other
city in Florida, this city would not
send any more delegates than has
been sent by Tampa, which is ten.
The most important business was
the action taken upon the report OF
the law reform committee, looking to
the relief of the present congestion of
litigation. The committee proposed
that the legislature be given the power
to increase the number of circuits in
the states as may be found desirable
at any time, and that the constitution
should be so amended that in the
counties of a certain population hav-
ing county courts, such courts be
given all the common law business.
Judge Young, Major Abrams and J.
L. Doggett and +. P Axtell and 9TH
erS discussed the matter, giving many
Interesting facts bearing on the same.
The report of the committee, which
was adopted, is as follows.
Reforms uurged.
To the Jacksonville Bar Association:
Your committee on law reform, al
though having in mind a number of
matters wherein, in their opinion, the
laws of the state might be improved,
especially in matters of pleading and
practice, have not thought it neces-
sary or expedient to formulate sug-
gestions or bills upon these subjects,
as the terms of officers and commit
tees OF the association are about to
expire, and new committee on law
reform will be appointed before the
meeting of the legislature, which will
have juridiction and charge of such
matters. We think it proper, how
ever, in order that there may be ade-
Quate consideration of the subject of
relief of the circuit courts, which is
now being discussed by the bar and
the public press, to submit to your
association some suggestions upon the
subject.
The Importance to the people of the
state of the prompt administration of
justice in the courts is manifest, and
need not be dwelt upon. A few years
ago, the business of the supreme
court was so congested. and it was so
far behind in the disposition thereof.
that 1t was there that delay was chief.
ly felt. By a constitutional amend
ment, which was framed in this asso-
citation and adopted chiefly through
Its efforts, the problem of relieving
the supreme court was solved, ana
cases in that court are now quickly
heard and determined, and the point
of obstruction has now become To-
Gated in the circuit courts, the state
having Outgrown in business and pop
ufation the arrangement and distribu-
tfon OF business among the courts, pro-
vided by the constitution. In the cir
cults containing the largest population
the necessity of holding long terms
OF the circuit courts for the trial of
common law cases, which embrace a
very large part, both in number and
IN importance, of the cases that come
before the courts. Also, the DISPOSE
ton of chancery cases in vacation
hinders and delays the settling Of
common law pleadings and getting the
common law cases to issue
II has been suggested that these
conditions might be improved by Gre
aung in the several counties city
courts, with concurrent Jurisdiction
with the circuit courts. This sugges-
ton seems 10 have met with consider
able opposition, however. upon the
ground that it might involve conflicts
or inconvenience in the exercise of the
jurisdiction between the circuit courts
and the city courts Another matter
10 be considered in that connection
is that the people of the state have
proven very conservative in altering
their judicial system, and constitution
al amendments that would furnish
the relief desired by increasing t-e
number OF circuits. or re-distributine
jurisdiction between courts that al
ready exist in the state, would prob
ABLY be more likely TO be ratified by
the people than amendments to Gre
ATE new courts 10 which they are not
accustomed
As these matters are being ais
cussed, and may be soon considered
by a state bar association which is
about TO be formed, We have thought
1t well that there should be some pIan
suggested other than that of city
courts, and We. therefore, submit 10
your consideration that the most
feasible plan would be the adoption OF
constitutional amendments that would
give the legislature the power TO
make such increase in the number OF
circuits as may be desirable,
and also that, in the counties
having a certain large population
wherein county courts are established
that jurisdiction of all actions at law
be given to such county courts, and
IN all such actions which are so added
TO the jurisdiction of the county courts
appeal shall lie directly to the SUI
preme court, instead Of to the circuit
court
By submitting amendments to the