The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-10-20

Charleston. w. va.-special.-Their
interest conferred in the biennial con.
test between the dominant parties for
supremacy at the polls. the voters
generally do not realize there are two
very important amendments to the
Constitution of this State now pen
ding and will be voted on by the peo-
pie at the November election.
The first proposed amendment pro-
yides for the appointment of women
as notaries public, and upon certain
state boards, and to minor offices.
This will be great convenience to
various persons employing lady stem
ographers. and will be merited rec
ignition to citizens of the gentler sex.
The second proposed amendment
provides for the election of two i'd
ditional Judges of the Supreme Court
of Appeals, increasing the total num-
Der from five to seven, for the annual
election of one of such Judges as Chief
Justice, for the division of the whole
Court into two parts and for each
part or division to have full power to
hear cases. The effect OF this would
be to practically divide the work in
two. OF course, very important cases
or cases on rehearing may be heard
and decided by the full court Of sew
en-. The necessity Of this relief is ap-
parent when 1t is considered that
there are now $40 submitted cases yet
remaining to be decided, some Of
which were submitted over two years
ago. It is great hardship for law
yers and litigants to wait so long for
the determination Of their rights, and
it is impossible for the Judges under
the present system to expedite the
work to such an extent as to keep up
with the ever-increasing business Of
the States highest tribunal.
In the year 1903 only 14S appeals
were docketed. while in the year end.
ing September 80. 1910, 246 appeals
were docketed; while in the former
year only Al, appeals were refused and
in the latter 10s were refused, making
a total of lss applications in 1903 and
1854 in 1910. TIE Increase has been
gradual throughout the Intervening
years and will no doubt continue in
the future. so that the congested con.
dillon of the work of the court can
not be remedied under the present
system.
The proposed amendment is not a
new or untried one, but has been for
years adopted and tested with COM
plete success in number of the most
conservative states, where similar
congestion of business presented a
similar necessity for relief as that
presented in West Virginia. Among
such states may be mentioned Mis-.
souri,. California and Kentucky; while
in many more the same result has
been sought to be obtained by the ere.
alton of intermediary Appellate
Courts between the Circuit Courts and
the final Appellate Court, as, for in.
stance, in Ohio. In New York the
Appellate Division of the Supreme
Court consists of 20 Judges, and is di.
vided into no less than four parts or
divisions, for exactly the same rea
son, and to accomplish the same pur.
pose, sought by this proposed amend.
ment, but with much larger expense
than would result from the adoption
Of the amendment now pending.
The West Virginia Bar Association
non-pnrtisan body, and one familiar
with the situation, earnestly urges the
careful consideration by the voters OF
this State OF the necessity OF some re-
lief for the congested docket II the
Supreme Court Of Appeals .hc oh.
tanning quicker Anal decision Of cases
pending, while at the came tine af-
fording the Judges a reasonable time
for the examination OF records, con-
slderation OF briefs and arguments
and the preparation of their opinions;
and appointed committee which has
reported that no better or more prac.
teal method for obtaining such re-
suits at minimum additional state
expenditure has been either suggest
ed by litigants and lawyers Of the
State or is afforded by the legal his
tory and example Of other States, than
by the adoption of the proposed
amendment. 1t would appear. there
adopted by large majority.
Tho voters Of West Virginia, re.
gardless of their pnrty affiliations,
BhouId not a1inxv fhpi,s 9aais Fnr i,nY-tt