Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-29
Object to
Creating
Districts
CarSOn'S Bill to Create the
Twelfth Judicial District
Meets With Fierce and
Unexpected Opposition

With Senator Carson, Of Marion
county, hotly contending that the bill
was being trifled with by the design
ing members, senate bill No. ia, in
troduced by the judiciary committee,
substituted for bill No. 49, introduced
by Carson, and providing for the crea-
ton Of the twelfth judicial district,
the proposed measure occupied COM
plete hour of debate today.
The outcome Of the discussion was
that the bill, which was up for third
reading, was re-referred to the judi
ciary committee with instructions to
report in two days. In lieu Of a vote
on the bill, which he desired, but
which he was unable to get Senator
Carson agreed to this disposition of
the measure.
A Smaller Third District.
The bill provides for the division Of
the Third judicial district which COM
prises Marion, Linn, Polk, Yamhill and
Tillamook counties. If it passes, the
new district will be comprised of the
three counties last named, and will
create another judges office, and also
another district attorneys office.
The main argument in favor Of the
bill was the peculiar condition in Ma
rion county, which, because Of the To-
cation Of the state offices in Salem,
brings many cases to the circuit court
for Marion county which really belong
in other parts u the state. 1t was ar
gued that the business of the district,
aside from these foreign cases, Is far
too great for the present two depart
ments, which frequently makes ses-
sions lasting far into the night neces-
sary.
Hawley Opposes Bill.
The first member to strike at the
bill was Hawley Of Polk. He said that
judicial affairs in Polk are taken care
of in a way that is satisfactory to the
citizens of that county, and that neith-
er he nor any Of his constituents,
with whom he had talked, could see
any reason for going to the expense
of creating a new district and new ju-
dicial officers.
Senator Miller did not make an ar
gument against the bill, but declared
that he would vote against 1t, If 1t were
voted on without further considera-
ton. He said the question was one of
far more than passing Importance and
that he considered further consider
alton necessary.
Carson declared that the desire Of
certain members to postpone action
was only part Of program to defeat
the bill In strong terms he main
tanned that It was up to the oppos-
ing members to take a square stand on
the measure, and declare their objec.
tions in plain terms, but allow the bill
to be voted on.
Commission Member FavOrs.
Senator Butler, who was a member
of the judiciary commission appointed
by Governor West, declared that the
findings Of the commission In matters
related to the qquestion under discus
sion made It plain to him that the d.
vision Of the district was a necessity
IL the judges we're to be allowed to
in proper manner the work expected
of them.
He said that litigation is increasing II
the state. and that the only way II
which delay in court procedure can b
prevented is by increasing the number
OF judges.
Moser supported the bill, He callet
attention to the addition to the cour
work of Marion county on account o
the location in Salem Of the state Off
ces.
Carson's dogged contention that th
bill should be voted on at once had
relenting effect on the opposition
with the result that the re-referenc
was taken with instructions TO tn
judiciary committee to report back 4
two days.
Tighten Up on Near Booze.
BY 2S to 2 vote the senate passe
and transferred to the house the bi
of Senator Smith, Of Coos and Curr,
providing that no soft drinks or 9th
er articles be sold on fair grounds Q
grounds occupied by the State Boar
of Agriculture, and prohibiting tn
sale Of intoxicating liquor within