The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-24
JUDICIAL REFORMS
Necessary for the speedy Administration
of Justice In Louisiana.

Necessary for the speedy Administration
Of Justice in Louisiana.
PAPER NO. 4.
The courts should be open for the ttial OF
causes all the time. Such is the mesning oil ar
Gle 10 Of the constitution. II is not obeyed by
the legislator. No citizen should be denied JUS
tice because the Judge is engaged in planting or
in speculating, or In merchandising, or enjoying
himself In travel or at a watering place. Under
the present system the district courts In the
country hold sessions only twice year, and not
,unfrequently one Of these terms is omitted.
continuance Of case. which Is often neces-
STATED by the failure Of the clerk or sheriff to do
his duty, lie postponement for six months at
least. and the accused lies in Jail, or the citizen
pursuing civil remedy for wrongs done his per-
son and property, lie denied redress. Justice de-
lavcd In always Justice denied. The only approx
mstey perfect Justice IL that which 10 enforced
Immediately, or as soon 40 hearing can possibly
be had.
Under the present system the psrieh judges
are often illiterate, uneduoated men, unac-
a1uainted with the science Of jursprudenoe and
the rules of evidence or the nature Of Judicial
proof, and yet they have to decide originally on
the most difficult, delicate and obstruse questions
OF succession Law, OF wills, marriage, fliation
and other questions that have exhausted the
learning and acumen OF the ablest jurisoonsults
Of the world.
These courts are required to open only once
month. but maj. adjourn after one days session.
settled, while they return to their farming or
their merchandise, or their rog-shop.
In the city the judges are required to work
only eight months In the year, and during that
period they have forty-one holidays, nearly
month and half bodily taken out, and II you
add Saturdays, which they take nominay to pre-
pare their decisions and try no csses,
Won have thirty more days, making
nearly two months and half Of working time,
go that The actual time during which the most
laborious of our city judges are employed on the
bench trying cases IL only l69 days. and then
only four hours day. Ii less time we're spent by
some Of them In celebrating long written opiu-
ions, ami more in coming TO q correct and Just
conclusion that could be briefly stated. they
would more perfectly fulfill their duties. 1t
binary quckness Of thought and knowledge Of
the law and experience. when citing only four
hours day, and deciding many cases on the
bench, las ample time In the other twenty hours
of the day to study any special cases that need
elaborate investigation,
Many useful days are lost by adjournment an
the death OF at oineys. This custom should be
discontinued and prohibited. An appropriate
bers of the bar and from the judge. constitute
nm ample testimonial of respect. Every other
class Of men who are obliged to labor for liy-
ing work oil the year round, and In the busy
There is no good reason why the judges
charged with the most solemn and sacred duties,
the most important to society, should not be re-
CURED to devote their whole time to the labors
of their office In order that justice be not denied.
The long vacation of four months, the frequent
holidays and adjournments, the slowness with
which law suits are tried, invite and tempt men
to violate their obligations and to litgate for de.
lay. Make the decision OF causes swift and GER
tain and yen discourage injustice, wrong and op-
preston. and litigation simply for time will be un
heard OF. Compel your judges to earn their sal
aries by hard, laborious, continuous work, and
do not let them have time to enjoy elegant
leisure or to speculate in stocks and bonds, etc.
Do MOI leave suffers knocking at the door of
Justice for years In vain.
We. arc. aware that rest and recreation are
NECESSARY that the harp that is always strung
{ soon breaks and gives forth no music. Therefore
give every judge the right to absent himself for
two months in every year, on biz designating an
attorney having the qualifications to fulfil his
duties. Many good and upright attorneys would
be willing to serve the public and relieve the
Judge on the bench for the honor Of the place,
and the people, or the Governor, would find out
the fitness OF different men for judicisl duties
and be able to ms Ike better selections.
Many very excellent, learned and upright
lawyers would make very poor judges. The
habit Of their mind, by long practice or by
original bent, makes them advocates and parti-
sans in every case, in spite oil themselves. This
plan would give an opportunity for the trial cf
their temper, and would keep the doors of the
temple Of justice always open. 1t would give the
regular judges an opportunity for relaxation and
rest and afford the means OF making the best
selection for the ermine.
The banks, insurance companies, business
Offices Of every description open all the year
round. Every man who earns his bread by toll
of brain or hands. works all the year. Why
should the judges alone have these long periods
of relaxation and rest when wrongs and injuries
OF every description are CRY ing aloud for redress
and remedyp BETA.