Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/656

Rh was memorialized, the governor having left it to the members of the legislature whether, in view of the probability that the laws of the United States would soon be extended over the territory, they should attempt legislation any further than to confirm appointments, fill vacancies, and make necessary appropriations. They preferred to continue the regular business of the session, during which they passed several important laws. Among others, one reorganizing the judicial system, by which the several counties were formed into one circuit that should be presided over by a judge commissioned by the governor, and who should hold his office two years, with a salary of eight hundred dollars, to be paid quarterly out of the territorial treasury. These circuit courts were given original jurisdiction of civil suits of whatever nature, and of criminal cases occurring in their respective counties, and were to exercise the same control over all matters of law and equity that the county courts had done; the criminal court was abolished; county judges were to be elected by the people, the appointing power being taken away from the governor, except in case of vacancies; a probate court was provided for the several counties, to be presided over by the president of the county courts; and several minor changes effected.

The committee on judiciary consisted of T'Vault, Tolmie, and Looney. Tolmie was opposed to altering the judiciary organization, in view of the expected change in territorial affairs, but was overruled by the legislature, which was not to be deprived of the glory of making laws to govern, even for a brief period, the conduct of colonial affairs, nor was their work less creditable than that of their predecessors. A. A. Skinner, an immigrant of 1845, was elected circuit judge by the legislature; and the office of territorial secretary, vacated by the death of John E. Long, was