The same judges have continued in office
since 1824; their decisions have not been the subject of complaint among
the people; the integrity and honesty of the court have not been
questioned, and it has never been supposed that the court has ever
permitted party prejudice or party considerations to operate upon their
decisions. The court was made to consist of four judges, and by the
Constitution two form a quorum for the transaction of business. With
this tribunal, thus constituted, the people have been satisfied for near
sixteen years. The same law which organized the Supreme Court in 1824
also established and organized circuit courts to be held in each county
in the State, and five circuit judges were appointed to hold those
courts. In 1826 the Legislature abolished these circuit courts, repealed
the judges out of office, and required the judges of the Supreme Court to
hold the circuit courts. The reasons assigned for this change were,
first, that the business of the country could be better attended to by
the four judges of the Supreme Court than by the two sets of judges; and,
second, the state of the public treasury forbade the employment of
unnecessary officers.
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