The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-27
rrom the A,,anta cons.l.ution.


LYNCHER AND LAWYER Whilst
public sentiment is urging the abatement
OF lynch law. It might not be out of place
to pay some attention 10 the abuse of law
by the lawyer.
II there is anything in the country
which should be resardel as sacred. 1t
IS the courtroom. Ses,aI there is a judge,
appointed as the representative of con-
crete Justice, 10 hear contentious between
man and man. The tribunal is one which
should be regarded as beyond approach,
whore exact iusIice Is done TO all who
appear within its portals, and whose YER
diet solemnly reached after examination
of witnesses, argument OF counsel and de-
liborations of jury, should stand as the
VIII OF society TO be executed. and not 10
be lightly set aside.
Yet. what are the facts? Without ref
erence 10 any individual case, and dis
claiming intention a to any special at
tcrney. 1t may be sad that the manner
IN which the courts have been treated by
many OF them has hordered upon con-
tempt; and that the effort TO enforce the
law has been made ridiculous. Instead Of
looking upon the court as the forum Of
final decision, partit1 enter ii with the
seeming purpose of presenting as little of
their cases as possible so that in the
event OF an adverse decision, they may
be able to plead newly discovered evi-
dcnce" upon which 10 gain one TWO or
three new ais, and finally. appeals in
Vulnerable 10 the Stato supreme court
and when these avenues give out. then
TO burden the records with appeals TO the
United States court. IL may be answered
that all these channels are open to a man
on trial: aud that he has a right 10 all
his privileges. II the present method OF
regarding the original trial as a mere
farce, and IL the conviction In the SUI
perlor court amounts 10 nothing, and Is
| merely but q steppiusstone upon which TO
20 10 still other courts, why not abolish
tho entire system at once, apd let the
original plea be To that court In which
50 much confidence is expressed?
These statements are made 10 show that
while those Who indulge in mob law pro
coed irregularly about what they want t'
do. there is hardly more OF contempt o
court in lneir action than there is in tina
of the attorney who respects no court. Wit
regards the bench as mere object upoi
which TO practice" law, and TO shoN peo
| pie not how TO reach trial OF a case. Du
| how TO prevent II and kill as much time Il
| possible. This conduct is demorailing, ant
| is one of the reasons which prompts thos
| who can not understand the seriousness o
| ''practicing" law to resort 10 quicker AM
more effective methods. If our superior
courts are not properly organized. 1t shoul
| become the duty OF the lawyers themselye
| 10 suggest the necessary changes; so tina
| they may become what they ought 70 be
courts established to decide cases, anC
| whose decision should stand lmmutable a
| the State itself.
| Not only does the lawyer cast rrproacl
| upon the court by falling to have mis- cas-
| fully presented on trial, but he discreuit
| wi pD he "a tn dc
| generate into pettifogging, and the judg
who continuously grants new trials stulti
| fees his own work.
| BY all means let us have change whic
| will lead TO the abolition of mob Law. lie
+! the change come by the establishment q
| courts too well grounded in thoroughnes
| of work to be trifled with. and with n ba
| whose members viii not asperse their pw
work by seeking delays chargeahle to thei
| own improper handling " cases. whetho
80 intended or not, When courts are un
derstood TO he courts In fact. great ste
| VIII have been taken.