The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-14
COMMITTEE URGES SWEEPING CHANGE IN JUDICIAL SYSTEM Report of Legislative Judi cial Committee Read
 to House
REPORT PRESENTED
 BY CHAIRMAN DAVIS
Minority Report Presented by Brind- ley, Who Differs Radically From Majority of the
 Committee
Nv l.. q. BETTY

Mont tgomery, July 13.-tSpeclal.)-ae- forms of a far sweeping nature in the judicial system of the state are recom- mended in the report of the recess eom- nittee on the judiciary, which was reao in the house today immediately after the assembling of that body. The commit tees report was the first business to come up for consideration. Accompanying the report were some 60 odd bills prepared by the committee for the purpose of putting the suggested reform into effect.
 The report was presented to the house by Chairman Davis of the recess commit tee, who explained the great efforts his committee had used to secure all sorts Of information regarding the courts of the state, and the views from jurists ana members of the bar as to needed changes in the states judicial system
 Summarizing the committees report rec concentrations were made that all chan cery, equity and city courts be merged into the circuit court on the first Tues day after the second Monday in January, 1sl7; that all equity jurisdiction be admin istered in the circuit courts; that the present jury law be simplified and that many other important changes be put into effect.
 The supreme court, according to the committees recommendation, is to De given authority to make all rules Of practice. and the chief justice of the su- preme court is given authority over all trial judges with power to transfer them from one circuit to another.
 The Recommendations
 The committees recommendations in full follow:
 l. That the chancery court. the system known as law and equity courts, city courts, with all similar courts, be merged into the circuit court on the first Iuesoay after the second Monday in January, lsli the date when the terms of all circuit judges and chancelors will expire.
 2 That equity jurisdiction be preserved as separate system, and be administered in the circuit courts.
 g. That all prosecutions for misdemean~ ors commenced by affidavit be tried in the county or inferior courts without turies defendants having the right of appeal to the circuit court.
 f. That the time for taking appeals to the supreme court and court~of appeals be materially shortened; that divisions In these courts be abolished and cases called for submission once each month, instead of twice a year.
 5 That the present jury law be simpli-
 
 and in all criminal cases the state and de- fendant be given a equal number of chal- lenges.
 B. That tlo office of all jury commits sions heasm, vacant on October l, next, and the jp commission in each county be filled 9y the commissioners court. or board of revenue; selecting one comms- sioner to serve for two years; the gov ernor appointing one to serve for four years. and the supreme court naming one 10 serve for six years; the terms Of all thereafter to be six years.
 | That the office of supernumerary judge be retained.
 & That the supreme court be given authority to prescribe rules of practice, forms of indictment, complaints pleas, bills. answers and processes
 g. That cases be not reversed For failure to give special written charges where the propositions asserted are substantial ly covered by other written charges, or the oral charge of the court
 h. That appeals from municipal courts, inferior courts, and county courts, in criminal matters, be preferred cases in circuit courts.
 Il. That all judges and solicitors be paid salaries. and after the expiration Of pres ent terms solicitors be not allowed to represent public service corporations.
 P. That all trial judges be under the \ direction of the chief justice of the su- preme court; he having authority, and 1t being his duty, to require each judge to hold court one month every year out of his territory, and as much longer as may be found advisable.
 To the end that these changes as we'll ss others which will herein appear, may be accomplished We have prepared and will cause to be introduced 66 bills, the titles thereof being as follows: