The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-01-02
SWEEPING CHANGES
WERE |NAUCURATEO
All Government .Sinecures
Abolished Today-Courts
Most Affected.
(National News Association)

New Years present that will live
long in their memory. With one fell
swoop he has deprived these men of
sinecures they have been enjoying for
years.
It comes about through the consoli-
dalton OF all the district and circuit
courts in the United States and fol
lows the recent recommendations OF
Secretary Meyer OF the Navy and
chief OF staff Leonard Wood OF the
Army and there Is strength in consol
idations and combinations, II not great
economy.
Today all circuit courts of the Unit
ed States will cease to exist, likewise
the salaries Of all the clerks and en-
ployes attached to them will cease.
On the same date. the various district
courts In the country will have con-
fsered upon them by the United States
Congress additional power and influ-
ence.
Caused Warm Debates.
This new order OF things springs
out OF the recent action Of the United
States Congress in perfecting the new
judicial code. that caused SO much de-
bate and divided both houses OF Con-
gress into hostile lamps OF acrimoni
Gus statesmen. On This date twenty.
seven United States circuit courts will
cease to do business at the 276 places
they have been accustomed to meet
Gradually the trend OF governmental
affairs has followed closely the pro-
gress of the industrial world. The his.
tory of large industries has been made
up largely by the gigantic trusts that
have been formed in this country
Springfield from small enterprises,
many industries have developed into
combinations. consultations or mono
poles. until recently the United
States has let its affairs travel in
primitive ways. Departments have
been screated by the government to
conduct its business until the whole
machinery of the government has
been builded into colossal enterprise
Some departments overlap others,
some have very little work to do, while
still others have practically all the
work to perform.
Army and the Navy.
In the Army and the Navy there
have recently been installed modern
business methods including in their
scope the consolidation Of various Of.
fees and bureaus. This has resulted
ii placing these organizations on a
better and more prepared foundation
administratively and economically.
Other departments followed suit The
Treasury department, practically has
eliminated its secret service bureau. it
having been consolidated with the
life saving, labor. corporation and 9TH
er bureaus under one department,
which has made great strides in eco
nomical administration. In every way
the government executive depart
ments have discovered that In combin.
Ing their departments. issues and bus
iness, better. results can be obtained,
carrying out the trust idea that combi-
nations, consolidation and monopolies
are conducive to the lowering Of ex-
penses.
Now. however, the government dis
continues the circuit courts. institu-
tons 40 old az the government itself.
The Congress of the United States
finds that the maintenance of these
courts requires considerable part
Of the appropriations for the upkeep
az the Judiciary. and that the work
performed by the circuit court judges
can we'll be done by the district court
Judges. Furthermore 1t has developed
that In many cases the work Of the
district courts overlapped that Of the
circuit courts and that the dual ar.
rangement tended to the lowering of
the 0mciency Of both courts.
Caused Opposition.
Therefore. during the last regular
session Of tho United States Congress-
an effort was made to abolish the cir.
cult courts. Much opposition was en-.
countered. especially among members
Of the house of representatives. Politi.
cal fences needed repair and congress.
menin favor Of the idea saw defeat at
tho polls staring them in the face
should they agree to such a PROPOSE.
ton. The matter was passed to the
Judiciary committee OF the house in
an effort to have the resolution Ia.
bled and buried under other and more
pressing business.
Quite the contrary happened. how.
ever. The committee reported an en-.
tirely new judicial code. which provid
Cd among other things for the aboli
ton Of the circuit courts. The measure
passed both houses on March 81 and
will become effective on Monday.
A large sized howl was heard in ev
dry direction from the clerks and en-
ployes Of the various circuit courts
Politicians were buttonholed and held
up In an effort to locate 'other jobs