[1] The creation of the Supreme Court, a distinct coordinate branch for the final interpretation of law, was the master-stroke of the constitution.  “The Supreme Court has no prototype in history.”

While the existence of the Supreme Court is thus provided for in the constitution, the number of judges to constitute it was wisely left with congress.  Thus the organization may be changed as circumstances change.  The Supreme Court at first consisted of six justices, as they are called; but owing to the growth of the country and the consequent increase of labor to be performed, the number of justices has been increased to nine.

[2] Under this provision congress has established three grades of “inferior” United States courts, the Circuit Courts of Appeal, Circuit Courts, and the District Courts.  The United States is divided into nine judicial circuits, to each of which are assigned one justice of the Supreme Court and two circuit judges. (See page 307.) These constitute what is called the Circuit Court of Appeals, having appellate jurisdiction in their respective circuits and holding annual sessions for that purpose.  (See page 210.)

The United States is further subdivided into more than sixty judicial districts.  In each of these districts, at least one session of the circuit court and one of the district court is held each year. (See pages 210 and 307-9.) A full circuit court bench consists of a supreme court justice, a circuit judge, and a district judge; but court may be held by any one or two of them.  The district court consists of the district judge.

[3] This virtually means during life.  The purpose of this provision is to raise the judges above temptation, to put them in a position where they may feel safe in doing their exact duty, unawed by any outside power.  If with this opportunity they prove unjust, they may be impeached.  But so far, almost without exception, those who have been honored with a place on a United States court have proved worthy of their high calling.

[4] The purpose of this also is to remove temptation from the judges.  The salary of the chief justice is $10,500 a year, and that of each associate justice, $10,000.  This seems like a generous amount.  But several times a place on the supreme bench has been declined, on the plea that the nominee could not afford to serve for the salary attached.

[5] This is to prevent the other two branches from occupying a threatening attitude toward the judiciary.  But the salary may be increased.  And the salary may be reduced, to take effect with appointments made after the passage of the law.

SECTION II.—­JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS.

Clause 1.—­Extent.