The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-02-20
OHIO COUNTY BAR HELD LENGTHY
SESSION YESTERDAY ON SUR
PRISE ACTION OF SENATE.

y special meeting of the Ohio County
Ear Association was called yesterday ar-
tcrnnon after the receipt OF the news
from Charleston that bill had passed
tho state senate. which. if it becomes a
law, will rc-district the First judicial
circuit. tear it to pieces. put Marshall
county in with Wetzcl, consolidate Han
cock and Brooke counties and Ohio coun-
Is by itself with one judge to pass on
! all criminal and civil matters.
Word received from Charleston early
this morning wns to the effect that the
bill in no way affects, nor does It abol.
ish, the criminal courts Of any Of tho
counties.
The bar meeting was called for action
| on the new measure and registering a
protest, and president +. =. Mcneil, OF
| the association. appointed the following
delegates toi 70 to Charleston and use
their influence against the rc-district-
ing bill. The delegates were. W. q.
| Caldwell. u. A. Mckee. J. B. Handlan.
$. .. Boycc. Frank y. O'Bricn. Carl
| l5achman. y. w. Foulk and clerk Of the
circuit court John L. Kingdom, and e1-
! Judge Frank W. NGShitt.
1t wns the sense of the bar meeting
that this judicial district should re-
! main as II is. but il any re-districting
is to be done Hancock, Brooke and Ohio
counties should remain intact as these
counties do not want to be separatal.
which is the opinion Of practically
every lawyer practicing within the
bounds Of the counties.
1t is the high standard set that Ohio
county attorneys and other citizens LOOK
oil h. nd Of hn 1ric %
with such men as Judges Addleuan and
Sommerville presiding on the bench. Tho
record of the circuit cprut judges in this
! county has been particularly gratifying
! in view OF the action Hf both politician
parties for the past twenty years or
! more. in endorsing the Same candidate.
1t was the Republican party that first
| nominated Judge Sommerville. II Demo-
crat, 10 succeed the late Judge II. c.
Hcrvey on tho bench, which clearly
demonstrates the desire OF both partic.
to eliminate politics from the office
! which had been so satisfactorily filled
for so many years. If this bill should
become law one or the other would
| necessarily he compelled to retire.
To Cut Out Criminal Court.
It IS also said. although local attor-
ncyS are still somewhat in the durk as
| to the real meaning of the bill, that j,
Is intended to eliminate the criminal
court in this county, which would mean
that ono judge would be compelled 10
| handle both the criminal and civil cnses
which, according To Prosecuting Attor.
ney D. A. Mckee. IS an impos!ibility.
At least forty weeks each year Is
taken up in criminal court work while
moro than 500 juvenile cases were be.
fore the criminal court judge during the
past year. Crime Is increasing over the
! country in leaps and bounds and 1t /.
| nonsense to think that even two judge.
/ can perform the Work here.
Star chamber sessiorS must have
taken place in framing tho bill. as not a
! single Ohio county attorney knew OF
such bin being cv:n considered Mem
bers OF the bar association seen ycster.
! day were unanimous in their declaration
as to the unfairness OF such bill
Members OF the Brooke and Hancock
county bar had never heard Of such Il
| hl1l or the contemplation OF one until
informed yesterday afternoon from this
| city.
Aside from the regular delegates OF
tho Bar Association 4 tumber OF attoe,
ncys will accompany thn delegates Ia
the capital city to throw their weight
into The fight against the rending OF
| the First Judicial district.