Recently I’ve seen letters supporting increasing the number of Supreme Court justices. I support that as well, but for a different reason.

In 1869, Congress set the number of justices at nine because there were nine U.S. Courts of Appeal. Congress did this so one justice could oversee one appellate court.

Now, there are 13 U.S. Courts of Appeal. In order to maintain the status of one justice for each appellate court, the Supreme Court should be expanded to 13 as well. It’s just logical.

Roger A. Smith
Portland