Year: 1863

The interests Of the District of Columbia formed
in an unusual degree topic of discussion during
the last session Of the late Congress


In the House Of Representatives the people of
the District fortunate in having as the chair
man Of the committee appointed to consult for their
welfare and that Of the Government an esteemed
member from the S tate of Massachusetts, the Hon.
CHAs. DELANo, who brought to the discharge of
his duties fidelity and capacity worthy of grateful
recognition. We have already adverted to the pro-
ject of bill which he introduced at tho late SEES
sion proposing to authorize the people of this Dis
trot to send Delegate to Congress for the purpose
ofrepresenting in that body their interests and that
Of the Government, far the latter is involved
in the local Surroundings Of Washington and its
vicinity. Mr.. Delano, like every conscientious le-
gisator when charged to consult for interests which
are at once those of the resident population of the
District and of the entire people Of the United
States, felt it would seem, the need of some re-
sponsible representative to whom the Committee on
the District might repair for advice and guidance
in the adoption of measures devised for the welfare
of the community which looks to the Congress Of the
United States as its constitutional guardian. With
out spch responsible representative Of the import
ant interests affecting, it may be- equally the local
relations of the Government and of the resident
population, the members composing the Committee
on the District of Columbia, coming from remote
sections of the country, are comparatively cut off
from source Of authentic information, to which
they should have access in maturing the measures
recommended for adoption by Congress. In the
absence of such recognised representative of the
District, sitting in the body Of Congress- and whom
that body, as well as the people concerned, might
hold responsible for his suggestions and recommen-
dations, we now have this responsibility divided
among municipal functionaries and prominent citi-
zens, with the conflicting counses inseparabe from
al advice or information given under such cir
cumstances. Mr.. Delano, in bringing his pro-
position before Congress, has but revived measure
which that staunch friend of the District and of the
Government, JOSEPH KENT, Of Maryland, sought
TO establish during his Congressional career. We
hope that the wise suggestion may eventually COM
mand the favorable consideration of Congress


A measure most intimately affecting the District
was passed by the late Congress, in the shape of
bill recognizing the judicial system, which, with
subsequent amendments, has obtained for the last
sixty years and more. The original BILL which
proposed to effect this change, was introduced into
the Senate on the 18th Of June last, by Mr.. HAIR
RIs, of New York, from the Judiciary Committee
but not then pressed to vote for final passage
allowed to drop. Speaking on this subject, after
the bill had been again brought forward at the late
session, Mr. Senator CoLLAMER held the following
language on the 18th of February last:


IT win merely say that was called upon by leading
member Of the BAR elderly and very respectable and
highly conservative gentleman who said to that the
bar had supposed the whole matter ended they did
think that anything really going be done about
it, had slept so long but recently, within few days
to present their views before this bill sha be passed
did suppose the bill to be passed in an hour or in
single afternoon but if it is insisted upon suppose
IT will be passed 1t certainly open suspcion that
initiate the practice Of removing the judges by changing
the court and 1t needs explanation to my mind to
show that there s necessity for this change, in order to
clear IL of the imputation Of having such purpose /
take it, be xplained what ty for al
terng the system and why s necessary to change the
judges II the rys,em be altered presume that capa
BILE OF explanation perhaps il does not need il but after
what has been sugge.ted the other aide Of the Cham
Der, think 1t would be than right and fair give
an opportunity T. the bsr to be heard the subject and





an opportunity fully to understand the real character
Of the measure"


The measure thus brought forward for the action
Of the Senate was postponed till the 2Oth Of Feb
ruary. In the mean time the Bar Of this city had
with great unanimity made the following repre-
sentations:


The undersigned, Members Of the Bar of the District
OF Columbia, respectfully represent:


"That they have with surprise that bill, has been
report to the Senate to reorganxe q n, the Ds
trct Of Columbia which proposes to abolish three of said
courts namely the circuit district and criminal courts OF
said District


They respectfully submit that the courts which are
proposed TO be thus abolished have been proved by expe
rience to be efficient and adequate for the administration
the respect and confidence Of the profession and Of the
community generally.


They believe that this is not called for by any
public necessity aud that would not be acceptable TO the
great msss OF the people Of this District


They therefore pray your honorable bodies to reject
the same"


In the face of these representations tho Senate
proceeded to vote on the bill, which resulted in
its passage by the small majority Of three In the
House the bill was passed under the exctemcnts in
odent to the closing days Of the session, though it
encountered in that body as in the Senate, the op
position of many Republicans, who, with Senator
Collamer, could not give their approval to mca-
sure which was open to the suspicion Of aiming by