Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1908-09-30
srRENoTHEN JIG luDIcIARY.


mented editonally ON the several
amendments to the state constitution
to be voted on at the general election
IN November. It was stated that
these amendments are in danger Of
defeat at the polls. due to the disin'
clination OF the people to further tink
err with the organic law. Neverthe.
less, Il is to be hoped that this disin.
clination will not initiate against the
ratification Of at least three Of the
amendments--two Affecting the ju.
dietary and one providing for the sup.
port OF Flortaa's principal institu.
lions Of learning.
In regard ID the two amendments
hrst mentioned; ii IS difficult to con
ceive possible grounds for antagonism
One Of these vests in the Legisla-
ture the power OF fixing the salaries
Of judges, the other gives the Legis-
Iature the privilege Of creating add
tionaI judicial circuits whenever they
may be deemed necessary. There can
be no question as to the desirabillty
OF incorporating these provisions In
the letter Of the law.
The Legislature prescriDes the sal
airy to be paid to the Governor and
to members Of his cabinet-in fact,
the Legislature Is permitted to name
the remuneration Of every salaried
ofFicer Of the State except those con-
nected with the judiciary. Why
should not the Legislature be empow-
cred TO prescribe the pay of judgesf
In the various circuits Of the State
there should be some distinction be-
tween the pay OF the judges who are
required to devote their whole time
to the cases arising In their districts
and those who are occupied only a
portion OF their time. Some Of the
judges in this State have much more
TO do than others, and their pay
should be increased OF graded ac-
cordingly,
The second amendment is Of even
more importance. The Tampa CIR
cult is an example. ANY member OF
the Tampa bar, who has practiced
here for sufficient length OF time,
will bear out the assertion that the
able Judge OF this circuit does more
chambers work (which is the real
work circuit Judge Is called upon
20 perform) In any average week Of
the year, in Hillsborough county
alone, than the Judge OF the circuit.
i5 or 20 years ago. had 20 perform in
the entire circuit In month. Why
should the Judge be expected 10 await
the tedious and uncertain process OF
amending the constitution IN order 10
obtain relief >Nvhy should not the
Legislature have the power, in its
wisdom. to create additional circuits
whenever the growth OF the State de-
mands2 Duyal aud Marlborough
counties have enough litigation, at
present to keep busy a circuit court
organization for each OF them alone,
II may seem Incredible, but Il Is
nevertheless the fact. that Judge Jo-
seph H. Wall OF this circuit, is com.
PEELED 20 work at least half the day
every Sunday and until > or 10
o'clock every night half OF every week.
to keep his chambers work from fall.
lng behlnd And, what Is OF vastly
more Importance to litIgants, he has
not the time 20 give tho different
questions arising before him half the
Investigation and consideration they
ought 20 have, In order TO prevent
guessing what the appellate court
viii DO In any given case
II IL clearly the duty % the voters
Of the State to further facilitate the
Judiciary BY permitting the Legisla-
turc not only to make Increases al
salary where increased duties warrant
H. but 70 create additional circuits
IN cases where the volume Of litigation
exceeds the capacity OF the circuit
Judge Although the amendment Of