Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-10-22
AAKES APPEAL TO
MISSISSIPPI VOTERS
EAR ASSOCIATION OF MiseteeiP-
P ASks VOTERS TO HELP
CHANGE CONSTITUTION.
CHANCE IN SUPREME COURT
Want Six Judges Instead Of Three.
Ask Direct Election-Business 10
Now Greater Than Three MSa
Can Handle.

To the People of Mississippi:
We, the undersigned Committee Of
the Mississippi Bar Association, ap-
pointed to give publicity to the six
Amendments With reference to the Su.
prene Court, issue this appeal to you.
We know that whatever service is
asked Il you for the good of your
State yOs will readily accord. That
nc labor, toll or sacrifice is too great
for yOuT u give willingly to Nississip.
DL. We therefore ask your careful
consideration Sf the fAsst Six Amend
nsats that will appear on a ticket to
be voted at the general election to be
held throughout the State on Novem-
Der 81, q synoRAis Of which is given
below.
The First Amendment is entitled "A
concurrent resolution proposing an
AmenAAsat to the Constitution requir-
ing the Judges Of the Supreme Court
to AO elected by the people," and this
Amendment is self-explaAGtory.
The Second Amendment is entitled
"A concurrent resolution proposing an
amOndmsnt to the Constitution fixing
the term Of the office of the Judges OF
the Supreme Court" This Amendment
fixes the terms Of the Supreme Judges
at eight years instead of nine, al our
elections are held every four years,
and a part Of the Judges will be elect.
Cd every four years.
The Third Amendment Is oAtitled "A
concurrent resolution proposing an
Amendment to the Constitution for
eliminating uerefrom Section 1871"
Section Isl provides that vacancies
In the Supreme Court Bench shall be
filled by an appointment Of the Gov
erno The purpose of this Amend
ment Is to perfect the scheme Of elect
ing Judges.
The Fourth Amendment Is entitled
"A concurrent resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution elm.
mating therefrom the provision that
when either party shall desire the Su.
preme Court for the trial Of any cause,
1t shall be composed Of three Judges.
No judgment Or decree shall be af-
firmsd By a disagreement Of two
Judges constituting a quorum" The
purpose Of this amendment is to change
the number Of Supreme Court Judges
that shall constitute a quorum in the
event the bench shall hereafter consist
Of siK members instead Of three, as
now provided. Two Is a quorum in a
bench Of three Judges, but will not be
in a bench of six.
The Fifth Amendment Is entitled "A
concurrent resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution increas-
ing the number Of Supreme Judges to
six" The purpose Of this amendment
Is to double the working capacity OF
the Supreme Court Rench. 1t now con,
sists of only three members and these
are not able to keep up with the work.
The Sixth and last Supreme Court
Amendment entitled "A concurrent
resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution providing that
the Supreme Court may sit for
the trial Of causes In two d.
visions" The purpose of this Is to
double the working efficiency Of the
Supreme Court by providing that three
Judges may work on one lot Of cases,
while the other three are working on
another Lot.
To avoid confusion the entire six
amendments should be voted for. The
Judges and Chancellors are ROw elect
cd by the people. Why not the SD.
prene JudgeS2 The other provisions
have to do With the increase in the
number Of Judges, teFRs OF office, etc.
The annual business coming before
this court is now greater than three
men caR attend to properly. 1t is a
physical impossibility for the court to
keep up with its docket. 1t is now
more than three years behind. Some.
thing must be done. 1t is especially
unfair to the poorer litigant who can
not afford to wait. lie is often forced
into unfair aud unjust compromises be-
cause of the laws delay. The Consti-
tuition provides that justice shall not
be sold, denied or delayed. We appeal
TO each and every citizen to intelli.
gently study the Supreme Court
Amendments. With the other amend
ments they are published in the news
papers Of every county of Mississippi,
and we ask you to study The condition
that makes these amendments neces.
sary, and we solicit your vote and your
Influence in this campaign in aid Of
good government. We will appreciate
your help. Respectfully,
MARCELLUS GREEN,
Chairman.
CLAYTON D. POTTER,
Secretary.
II. 2. WATKINS,
DC. BRANLETTE,
p. ". HOUSTON.
Committee Mississippi Bar
Association.