Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-03
MUNICIPAL COURT BILLS
ADVANCED by DELEGATES
Overwhelming Action Points t
Early Passage Of Measure
by House.

Despite the pronounced opposition OF
Delegate Il. II. Fuller and X. Lindsay
Gordon. and withdrawal of his name
! from tho list of patrons by Delegate
George l.. Wilcox. the House, by an
overwhelming vote, yesterday after
noon advanced to it's third reading and
enErossment House bill 202. to create
ana establish in and for the city OF
Rlchmond q court of record, to be
called The Municipal Court OF the City
or Richmond.
Tho measure was contested by Mr.,
Fuller because he had been requested
to do SO by City Attorney Henry Il.
Pol Pollard and the city fathers. and it
was Vas opposed by Mr. Gordon, OF Louisa.
cause 1t provided that one-half of tho
expense was to be borne by the State.
An amendment, offered by the dele
the entire cost was to be borne by the
city OF Richmond. was voted down.
Mr.. EULER read joint resolution,
tho city attorney and tho Mayor. in
opposition to tho bill on the ground
that 1t was not necessary and the city
could i'll afford the additional expense.
Fuller Opposcs New Court.
The city. fathers. Mr.. Fuller said.
wanted action on tho bill deferred un-
scrnbiy.
Delegate Horvcll L. Henley, OF Will
liamsburg, whose law firm practices in
a case called for trial" spoke earnestly
i'll behalf of the measure.
According to air. Henley, often it is
SIX months or year after case is
set before 1t actually comes to triai.
This condition he attributed TO the
contested dockets fthe Richmond
II am surprised that any lawyer can
make decent living practicing in
Richmond" he said. One of the great
est est suT 1ss Of the present day Is the
fession into dlsrepute."
Mr.. Fuller wanted the bill recon-
mitted. Delegate James II. Price, one
CATION whose names appeared on the
bill as patrons. declared that this
would have the effect OF killing the
bill The Richmond Bar Association.
mont Of the measure.
Mr.. Gordon argued that IL tho pro-
posed court was for the benefit OF the
Richmond Bar Association. then the
city. OF Richmond should bear the
whole cost.
Will Help Lawyers.
In opposing tho bill ION general prin-
ciples." the delegate from Louisa said;
1.-THE moro courts and tho more lawyers
We have. tho more litigation results"
snS to pSt co Of p ,bv
HIS name be stricken from the list of
PRICE. Haddon and Boschen.
Mr.. Fuller's vote to recomrnit the
bill was defeated. II to 40. Mr.. God
sons amendment, providing that the
city of Richmond bear the whole cost
OF the new court, also was rejected,
whereupon the measure was advanced.
The reception accorded the bill by a
majority of the House presagcs It's
The new court is designed primarily
to take caro- Of divorce and kindred
xx,,, MT, v..a. nt,,
Prolonged debate was precipitated
when House bill 157. to authorize and
In certain cases to require the appoint
State or magisterial district of coun-
ty of a special justice Of the peace, to
be known as the trial Justice came up
yesterday afternoon. The House finally
refused to advance the measure, which,
In effect. kills it.
burg, patron Of this bill. explained the
Suggestion Of other courts by trivial
people of the several counties OF the
State whether they wished such trial
Justice. as It reGuired a one-third vote
of the people before such an official
could be appointed.
Objection to the bill was raised in
some quarters because it was not spe-
lawyer. Which prompted DELEGATE r.
Hugh Smith, of Northumberland, to
offer an amendment providing that a
litiEant could demand that two maEis-
tratcs of his own selection be required
TO sit with such trial justice.
Tho plan worked we'll in Roanoke
city. declared Democratic Floor Leader
r. Holman Willis, whore $1,000 year
was the salary.
Delegate J. NJ. Hurt, OF Nottoway in
defending the bill, declared that he
would-rather have good business man
appoined as trial justice than cheap
John" lawyer. the onlv kind the re,
attract.
Delegate c. r. Warren. OF Pittsyl-
vania, was not particularly keen" for
the bill, which finally was sent to its
death by vote of Z to &c.
French Rail Condition.. Improve.