The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-03-14
WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, MARCH.
From the Indianapolis Sentinel.
LAW AND LAWYERS.


LAW AND LAWYERS.
A Grsul at the Law Delays-Hs J.s.
tfee PlayeA OatS
SIR:-It is said that wise potentate
of the Sclavonic race, once remarked
that he had but two lawyers in his en-
pire and that he was going to hang
one of them, for the sake of peace and
the good order OF the country. This
showed his appreciation Of the
value of the profession and their in
flucnce in society In our country
they have been, and still are, the po-
litical iesuits who have Sd increased
in number and power that they con-
troll and direct at will the legislation
and laws both state and national. As
a consequence Of this control our stat
utes have become a medley of con-
fused verbiage defying comprehension,
even by the learned priests or lawyers
themselves, and a sealed book to plain
common sense people. judicial de-
cisioDs are as variant as the wind and
the glorious uncertainty of the law
has become proverb.s The joint ef-
feet Of confused enactments and de-
cisions has been to make harvest for
the craft and this no doubt is their
aim and purpose. 1t is done that
thrift may follow have known
clerks and book keepers who purpose
ly SO mystified accounts that only they
could understand them and this was
in order to retain their places and to
make them indispensable. Lawyers
and judges have outdene these per-
sons-they have SO COMPOUNDED con-
fusion" so triumphed over intelligi-
bility, by enactments and decisions.
that the most learned ''Theban" Of
them all-the tallest, brightest of the
profession, know not the law"-not
one of them can give you any reliable
is all contingent, mist, doubt, cropping
The truth is we have no legal science.
in the chancellor's breast. Now de-
robe-locked in the brain OF a judge
and not unfrequently require golden
key to move the bolt Judicial cap
rice and barrister trickcry. are often
more potent than truth and right, and
quite as frequently control decisions.
The historic myth that law is the per-
fection Of reason. has long since gone
to the tomb of the capulets.
/ am provoked to these remarks at
this time, by the Clem case which
seems about as interminable as the ir-
repressible litigation of John Doe and
Richard Roe, which has existed in
British judicature for time whereof
the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary" This case is again up
for rehearsal at the Boone court,
whether as farce, comedy, or tragedy
remains to be seen. Its each by turn
and nothing long. Thousands of dol
lars have already been lavished on
special attorneys, to aid in the prose-
cution and the cry is still more,
more!" This squandering Of money
is an outrage on taxpayers, and a
blistering reproach on laws and law
yers. We elect a judge, who by vio-
lent legal presumption, is supposed to
know the law, and pay him a salary
commensurate with first class abilities.
1t is his special business to hold the
scales of justice in equal balance; to
act impartially, and see that the law is
faithfully administered. Next we
choose state attorney, who is to col
lect and collate facts and law, and see
that offenders against the peace and
dignity of the State, have punishment
meted out to them This should be
an ample protection for. the majesty
of the law mot so, say some" you
must pay some disciple. Of Littleton
and Coke thousands to aid the judge
and prosecutor to protect the state
against the wiles, tricks and eloquence
Of some eminent criminal lawyer, who
defends those charged with crime.
The state must put as much capital in
the trial as the culprit.' IF this has
any significance, it means money
makes the mare go; the longest pole
knocks the persimmons;'' and ought
to mantle a court with blushee.l IF
our judges. prosecutors and juries
can not protect the state, let criminals
go quit; or if we have a set of legal
roosters so potent in trickery or eIo-'
quence, as to cheat the Jail, peniten-
tiary and gallows Of their dues, it we're
wise in US to initiate Peter the Great
and rid the country of such danger
GUS men. Men who have SO shaped
and confused things as to enable them
to rob justice, Of its demands, who
have the ability to do this, and who
habitually prostitute it to such pur-
pose for money, are fit subjects TO VIZ
brate on a hempen cord. hfa ~
1NDIANAPoLI PLAY FAIR.