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._

The judicial power shall extend to all cases,[1]