The Tupelo journal., 1916-03-31
Hon. ID. w. Houston for judge

Our Washington advices indicate that
there is a strong probability of the
creation by this congress of United
States circuit court of appeals to be To-
Gated at Memphis We understand that
this court will have jurisdiction of Ten
nessee, Northern Alabama, Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Northern Mississippi.
1t would seem that this would fill long
| felt want, as the United States circuit
court of appeals, as at present organ
lied, covers such a wide territory as to
make attendance upon them a matter
of serious inconvenience and discomfit-
ure to the average lawyer. At present
it is necessary for attorneys in this
part of the state to go to New Orleans
to appear before the court of appeals
having jurisdiction over this part of the
state. Likewise the same incOnven-
ience is suffered by lawyers from Ar
kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and
Northern Alabama, those from Okla
homa and Arkansas having to go to St.
Louis, and those from Tennessee and
Northern Alababama having to go to
Cincinnati. We understand also that
the circuit court of appeals, as they
are now constituted, are very much
crowded with litigation, necessarily oc-
casioning a great deal of delay in the
decision of cases. So, all things con-
sidered, we think the creation of the
new court, as outlined, would be very
happy solution of the problem.
If this court is created, we should
make determined effort to have our
fellow w-townsman, the Hon. D. w.
Houston, appointed as one of the three
judges. We do not believe any appoint
ment would prove more popular. A
gentleman of unquestioned ability and
integrity, Of wide experience in the
practice of his profession before both
the state and federal courts, in addition
to having served with honor and COM
pliment on our circuit and supreme
brenches. We have not consulted Mr..
Houston regarding the acceptance of
such an appointment, but we confident
ly believe he would accept the same.
So, believing that North Mississippi Is
entitled to one of these appointments,
we unhesitatingly endorse M
for one Of the judges of the IL eirclI y
n1o
concerted action on our part we can
get it.
The above from the Aberdeen
Examiner expresses the senti-
ment OF the people of the state
in it's endorsement of it's fellow
citizen, Judge Houston, for a
position upon the bench in the
event a new circuit is created for
the United States court of ap-
peals. There has been a growing
demand for a new court for
years, as the business before the
court of appeals at New Orleans
has grown beyond the ability of
the judges to handle it. Delays
in the hearing and settlement of
cases results frequently in great
loss to individuals and the facili-
ties for handling this business
should be increased. The creation
of a new circuit with a court at
Memphis would meet the needs
and approval of the people of
this section and congress should
no longer delay the creation of
this new circuit.
In the event that the circuit is
created, there could not be
found in the territory a man bet
ter fitted for the responsible du-
ties Of the position than Judge
Houston and he will have the
solid endorsement of the people
of this section when the court is
established, as it must be in the
near future.