The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-16
NEW COURT BILL
To BE OFFERED
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imperative that there shall be con-
currence between the commissioners
and the court. The proposed statnte
has also another significance that is
not being overlooked. 1t will effect
lively shut off any county division
ideas. In the past the chief argu-
ment of the county divisionists has
been the inaccessibility of the county
seats. A court moving from one sec
ton of the county to another meets
this complaint. The new law is GER
tain to provide that the county COM
missioners, with the consent of the
judge or judges of the superior court
may divide their respective counties
into judicial districts, fixing the time
and place Of holding court.
Long Way to Court.
Those pushing the measure point
to the conditions that now exist in
Douglas county and in Okanogan A
journey of over 100 miles is neces-
sary for lawyers and witnesses living
in the vicinity of Wilson Creek to
reach the county seat, Waterville
This trip includes railroad, steam
boat and stage. From some sections
of the county the traveller has to go
to Spokane before he can be started
to his county seat. In Okanogan
county, Conconully is just as mac
cessible, while in Chehalis a whole
day is lost attending court at Monte
sano. The bulk of litigation in Che
halls originates on Grays Harbor,
and it is felt, seemingly with reason,
that there should be a session of the
court at either Aberdeen or Hoquiam.
There are some lawyers here from
that county who say they will insist
on second Judge.
The senate bill will provide for a
Jail or dollhouse at the places where
court is to be held, or in the district,
if the legislature agrees on districts
and gives the citizen the right to de-
r1and the hearing and adjudication
of his cause in his own district.
Change of Venue.
Changes of venue may be granted
from one district to another, the two
or more districts to be regarded as
two or more separate and distinct
counties. The judgments and de-
crees are to be considered effective
throughout the entire county, with
out reference to the district in which
they are rendered, but the sheriff
may make sales at the places desig
mated by the county commissioner;
and judges for holding court and the
place of sale shall be considered as
the courthouse The citizens are
made liable for petit jury service
only in their districts. The clerk and
sheriff shall keep separate accounts
of business pertaining to the differ
ent districts al shall maintain Of
fees at the placos designated for the
holding of court. The appointment
OF court commissioner is also pro-
, :ded for in the bill, that official TO
reside at the places of holding court.
Al emergency clapse is attached.
W. f. Southland Of wilson Creek
Tot glas county, on OF the iealing
lawyers of easte'1 Wasl ;ngton, has
been entrusted with tte care of this
bill.
Il have been in consultation over
this act with J. B. Gridges, president
OF the Washington State Bar Asso-
ciation: J. G. Hogan, of Chehalis
county; Judge Rice. of Lewis county;
Reeves & Reeves, of Wenatchee, and
Seabury Merritt, of Spokane, and all
agree that the bill has merit, and
is soundly drawn" said Mr.. Southland
today. "It will stand, in their opin-
ion, any test to which it may be put.
| have made thorough canvass of
the members of the legislature and
honestly explained all the principal
features of the bill and it is meet
ing with great favor. l am assured
by Chairman Will G. Graves that it
will have the Endorsement of the SEN
ate judiciary committee and I know
it is popular in the house"