MUNICIPAL COURTS IN PHILADELPHIA. The Supreme Court, by a 4 to 3 adjudication, has declared the Vare "five judges" act unconstitutional, and ousted the judges who were recently appointed for Philadelphia. The Governor has approved the Municipal Court act which provides for special civil and criminal jurisdiction. The purpose of this Court is to relieve the congestion of the present Courts, by taking minor causes from the lists of the Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The Bench of this Court consists of one President and eight Associate Judges, at a salary of $6500 for the President and $6000 for each Associate Judge, the term being ten years. The jurisdiction is unique. It embraces all civil causes of amount up to $600, and all actions for damages from negligence to $1500. In criminal cases, it has the jurisdiction of the Quarter Sessions in all matters, except a very few, and will take the work of the juvenile, desertion and penal branches over; but it will have no oyer and terminer jurisdiction, these offences being especially excepted: Treason, murder, arson, burglary, forgery, kidnapping, manslaughter, perjury, rape and robbery. It also excepts libel, violation of election laws, embezzlement by public officers or violations of official duties. The magistrates of Philadelphia are not ousted of any of their jurisdiction, but this Court will be a competing Court for original actions in civil causes, where the amount is $100 or less, because the bar as to costs in original suits under $100 in the Common Pleas, does not apply to this Court, if we understand its purport as in the published bill. There are many ambitious candidates for Judge of this Court, and there may be some difficulty in selecting men of judicial temper. George Wharton Pepper, the eminent law encyclopedist, is quoted as saying: "The Philadelphia Bar is undeniably lacking in cohesiveness and esprit du corps. The Law Association is not an effective organization." It would perhaps be deemed impertinent to suggest why, but we'll risk it. The Philadelphia Judges and bar have lost their independ ence of political mastership. A dozen lawyers constitute the dominant power over all. BOUNTIES MUST BE PAID BY COUNTIES. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has refused an appeal from the decision of the Superior Court in the case of Brink v. Bradford County, which holds that the County Commissioners must pay bounties on scalps of noxious animals, out of county funds, anticipating a state appropriation to re-imburse the county. (See Justices' Digest and Guide, P. 575; also P. 412, Par. 9.) MAGISTRATE ACTING AS U. S. COMMISSIONER. On the 10th of July last, Magistrate Coward, of Philadelphia, sat in lieu of the U. S. Commissioner, in Federal cases, and held the preliminary examination, fixing bail and transacting the necessary legal business, during the Commissioner's absence. The authority of a Magistrate or Justice of the Peace in such case is contained in Section 1014, of the Revised Statutes, the original Act of Congress being that of Sept. 24, 1789, Ch. 20, 1 Stat. L. 91. "The usual mode of process in the state," where the arrest is made, was directed to be followed. Statement of the ownership, management, circulation, etc., of Pennsylvania Justices' Law Reporter, published monthly at Norristown, Pa., required by the Act of August 24, 1912. Note. This statement is to be made in duplicate, both copies to be delivered by the publisher to the postmaster, who will send one copy to the Third Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Classification), Washington, D.C., and retain the other in the files of the Post Office. Owner: (If a corporation, give names and addresses of stockholders holding 1 per cent. or more of total amount of stock.) A. R. Place, Lansdale, Pa. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders, holding 1 per cent. or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None. Average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date of this statement. (This information is required from daily newspapers only.) A. R. Place. 1913. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of July, INDEX ACTS OF ASSEMBLY CITED AND CONSTRUED. 1810, Mar. 20, Sec. 3, 5 Sm. L. 161, Reference before Justice, 113. 1838, Apr. 16, Secs. 10 and 11, Railroad trespasses, 194. 1849, Feby. 19, Sec. 15, P. L. 79, Railroad trespasses, 194. 1851, Apr. 3, Sec. 19, P. L. 320, Borough officers, 18. 1874, Apr. 29, P. L. 85, Turnpike toll, 32. 1876, May 8, P. L. 139, Attachment of wages for board, 235, 274. 1879, Apr. 30, P. L. 35, Turnpike toll, 32. 1879, June 11, P. L. 152, Turnpike toll, 194. 1879, July 7, P. L. 194, Affidavit of claim, 23, 26. 1879, July 7, P. L. 194, Affidavit of claim, 208. 1891, June 16, P. L. 298, Assistant assessors, 47. 1897, Mar. 27, P. L. 8, Borough councils, 17. 1897, May 30, P. L. 8, Coroner's fees, 182. 1899, Feby. 17, P. L. 3, Constables' fees, 122, 241. 1901, June 20, P. L. 578, School tax collection in city of third class, 211. 1901, July 2, P. L. 608, Title to land, 264. 1901, July 9, P. L. 614, Summons, 298. 1903, Apr. 23, P. L. 290, Justice's seal, 35. 1905, Apr. 10, P. L. 134, Attachment of wages for board, 235, 274. 1905, Apr. 14, P. L. 169, Trespass, 106. 1905, May 1, P. L. 330, Births, deaths, etc., 176. 1907, Apr. 10, P. L. 60, Noxious animals, 3. 1909, Apr. 22, P. L. 120, Service on Insurance Co., 318. |