Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-03-21

EDITORS SENTINEL: | am much pleased 10 see your
paper contain many valuable arguments, and sugges-
iions in regard the provisions of the contemplated
lew Constitution of our State. There is question,
believe, none Of your correspondents have said any,
thing about 1t is this Is good policy, and does
IL comport with the genius of the age aud the gond
OF society, Ia have amongst US privileged class OF
men called Doctors Of the Law. who alone can have
the liberty 10 appear u courts of Justice for the
redress Of real supposed grievances This system
finds it's origin, with US, in England, does many
other things connected with the administration of JUS
tice, is evil in It's application and ruinous in lis
suits. Many honest men have been made bankrupts,
in courts, some miserable technicay the JUS
tce and equity of their case being wholly dsre-
garded by the Judges of our courts so as conform
to some decision made perhaps more than one
hundred years ago by narrow minded English Judge
wholly unfit for the present age and one that could
not be elected Justice of the Peace, if he yet
alive, and resided in the most obscure township in
the State We want no licensed Lawyers, legal
fummcry. The distinction between law courts and
chancery courts should be abolished, and when any
conceves he is injured in his person. property
reputation. he should have the privilege Of setting
forth his wrongs, In petition to the proper court IN
plain common sense language; upon this petition let
summons issue, and when served, let the defendant
appear and make his defence in brief common sense
language. No other proceedings should be allowed.
Tie issue being thus formed trial will be had upon
the justice and equity of the case verdict obtain
ed. which will be just in ninety out of one
hundred. -.
Should the jury do fragrant wrong, lei the court
have power 10 set aside the verdict, and grant
trial. Under this system the business Of circuit
courts would be done in quarter Of The time il
takes, and the business of Supreme Court
would be limited to but very few cases. Any
one may examine Blackfords reports, or any 9Th
law reports and he will find that nine of
ten turn upon technical point of pleading which
has nothing to do with the justice merits Of the
cause. | am aware that the positions here advanced
will not meet the appreciation of lawyers, generally,
because it strikes at the foundation of The craft; but
the good of our people requires thorough reform in
the proceedings of courts, and that reform should
be made in the CorStitu,on, if not made there.
things will go in the Did way, because If left to leg
isatve enactment nothing ef.ctual will be done.
hope the press Of the Safe may manfuly take this
in hand, without regard party. class, and
fully make known to the of people, the
wrongs they have suffered, and will continue 50 suffer,
unless they require of each delegate full and unre-
served adhesion TO thorough legal reform. 1t is OF
more vital interest," in my opinion, than any question
that will come before the Convention Tie expense,
delay, loss of time and money. and vexaion, in the
criminal and civil proceedings Of our courts. should
longer be endured by the people, who alone IN
terested in speedy, just and cheap Judiciary.
"REFORM."