This court has original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal causes in the State. Two sessions (spring and fall) are held each year in every county. The Solicitors, besides fees, receive a salary of $250, except in the first circuit, where the salary is $350. The Attorney-General acts as Solicitor for the eighth circuit. In Mobile County the criminal jurisdiction has been transferred to a special Alexander McKinstry, City Court for Mobile. Salary. $2,000 This court holds three terms each year, on the first Mondays of February, June, and December, and has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Courts except in real actions. Judges of Probate, (who are also Clerks of the court and Registers of Deeds for their respective counties). Antauga-Henley Brown, Lawrence - Hen. H. McGhee, Russell - Thomas S. Tate, Lowndes Edward H. Cook, Shelby-J. M. McClanahan, Choctaw Carter N. Wilcox, Lauderdale- W. T. Hawkins, St. Clair - Irby Woolley, In consequence of an amendment of the constitution of the State, ratified in January, 1850, the preceding list of Judges of the Circuit Courts, Judge of the City Court of Mobile, and Judges of Probate were all elected by the people on the first Monday of May, 1850, and for the term of six years. FINANCES. Foreign debt of the State, December 31, 1849, . University Fund, Sixteenth Section (school) Fund, State bonds, invested in the capital stock of the Bank of Mobile, on which the State does not pay interest, Total amount of foreign and domestic debt, $6,693,888.98 250,000.00 995,220.99 Interest on $1,100,000, U. S. 6 per cent. stock owned by the State, 66,000.00 Estimated annual amount of receipts into the Treasury, including balance on hand, November 1, 1849, 1,092,779.92 From this amount deduct the annual disbursements, and there remains an un expended balance at the close of 1850 of 576,474.22 From this balance it is proper to deduct the amount of notes of the State Bank and branches in the Treasury, November, 1849, 438,016.00 Estimated balance in the Treasury, November 1, 1850, 138,458.22 The above sum is liable to an extra charge of $60,000, appropriated for rebuilding the State Capitol. The resources of the State (and which are mostly available) are as follows: U. S. six per cent. stock, $1,100,000.00 Amount of debts due State Bank and branches, and which are estimated as good, 1,221,000.00 Stock in the Bank of Mobile (par value), Cash unexpended in the hands of the Bank Commissioner, November, 1849, 600,000.00 564,314.64 Total assets, 3,485,314.64 From this amount deduct the outstanding circulation of the State Bank and branches, . Balance of assets, All of which will probably be applied to the discharge of the State debt. 618,407.00 2,866,907.64 XVIII. MISSISSIPPI. Term expires. Salary. JUDICIARY. High Court of Errors and Appeals. William L. Sharkey, of Vicksburg, Presiding Judge, Alexander M. Clayton, Judge, 66 of Jackson, Attorney-General, D. C. Green, John F. Cushman, of Woodville, Reporter. The jurisdiction of the High Court is appellate exclusively. There are two terms each year in Jackson, commencing on the first Monday of November and January. The court may continue in session as long as business requires, and may order a special term, or adjourn to meet at any time. The Superior Court of Chancery, held at the Capitol, at Jackson, is in law considered always open. The chancellor is authorized to hold the same at such times and for such periods as business may require, upon giving three weeks' notice in the newspapers. The District Chancery Courts have concurrent power and jurisdiction, within their respective districts, with the Superior Court of Chancery, where the amount in controversy does not exceed $500,000, and have the same power as the Chancellor of the State, both in term time and in vacation. Special terms of the District Chancery Courts may be holden by the vice-chancellors, respectively, by giving thirty days' public notice. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in civil cases in which the sum in controversy exceeds $50. For each of the seven circuits, a judge and attorney are elected, every four years, in the month of November. has also exclusive criminal jurisdiction. It Henry Dickinson, Vice-Chancellor, Northern Dist., Nov. 1851, $2,000 For the items and amount of taxable property in the State in detail, see the American Almanac for 1849, p. 278. Common Schools The school laws have been altered, and special laws for particular counties have been passed. When the system is completed and in successful operation, information will be furnished. The Legislature meets biennially on the third Monday in January. Senators, 32 in number, are chosen for four years; one half every two years. Representatives, not less than 70, nor more than 100 (the present number is 98), are chosen for two years. The election is on the second Monday in November. The pay of members of the Legislature is $4 a day during the session, and while going and returning. No session shall last more than sixty days. Acts passed after fifty days shall be void. The State Treasurer is chosen biennially, by joint ballot. Since December, 1849, the seat of government has been at Baton Rouge. JUDICIARY. Supreme Court. This court consists of a chief justice and three associate justices appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the term of eight years. The court sits in New Orleans from the first Monday in November to the end of June, inclusive. The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction only, when more than $300 is in dispute ; when the legality of any tax is in question; on all fines and penalties imposed by municipal corporations; and in criminal cases, on points of law alone, when death, hard labor, or a fine of more than $300 is imposed. They may issue writs of habeas corpus in all cases where they have appellate jurisdiction. If the judges are equally divided, the judgment appealed from shall stand affirmed. The State shall be divided into not less than twelve, nor more than twenty, judicial districts, which may be reorganized every sixth year. One district judge is appointed for six years, for each district, except for the districts of New Orleans and Lafayette, where as many are appointed as are necessary. District judges must be citizens of the United States, above thirty years old, residents of the State for five years, and have practised law therein five years. The District Courts have jurisdiction when more than fifty dollars is at stake, and in all criminal cases. Mortimer M. Reynolds, District Attorney.— John L. Lewis, Sheriff. |