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 The Supreme Court of Connecticut. the "Land of Steady Habits" largely by her practice of repeatedly re-electing faithful public officers. So far as the judicial office is concerned, that wise precedent is still fol lowed. The figures are interesting. Until 1889, when two of the present new judges were appointed, since 1807, forty-one judges have served, the average time of service be ing a trifle over eleven years. In the same time thirteen chief-justices have served, mak ing an average service of a little more than six years. But if we include their service as associate judges, owing to the practice of promoting the senior judge, we find their average time of judicial service to be but a trifle less than sixteen years. The Connecticut Supreme Court has not the difficulty of an overcrowded docket to overcome, which in some States is a serious one. The comparatively small number of

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appealed cases is due to three facts, — the small size of the State; the excellent work done by the trial judges; the uniformity and consistency of decisions by the Supreme Court. The recent change by which the judges are relieved from the circuit duty formerly performed by them will give more time for appellate work, and the present system will probably meet the needs of the State for several years to come. This change completes the development of the Supreme Court as an institution, in one of its aspects, in the course of which the jurisdiction has been gradually transferred from the Legislature to a tribunal especially constituted for its exercise. This is there fore a peculiarly favorable time for a review of its history, which can bring to a Con necticut lawyer nothing less than a profound satisfaction.