The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-08

to that of personal liberty. has had
much to do with the uplifting and with
the physical and moral Improvement
of the whole human race, but that il is
not inconsistent with the rights of pri-
vate property to impose limitations up
on its use for unlawful purposes, and
that this is the refoIm needed rather
than the abolition of the institution it,
SELF
An evil which is likely to grow in inn
portance is the inequality between the
poor and the rich growing out of the
delays in the administration of justice
between individuals. As between
wealthy litigants, where each party is
able to pay the expenses OF litigation
and to undergo for the time the loss
of interest on the capital involved. our
present system. while not perfect.
does not call for anxiety.
The judges of the country. both
state and national. are good men. The
venality in our judges is rare. and
while the standard of judicial ability
and learning may not always be as
high as we should like TO see it, the
provisions for review are such as gen.
orally to give just final judgments.
Judicial Expense Defect.
A defect of our system is seen in the
UNEQUAL burden which the delays and
expenses of litigation impose on the
poor litigant. The reform must be
reached through the improvement in
our judicial procedure. Our codes gen.
orally are too elaborate. II is possible
to have one simple and effective Ii
has been attained in English courts by
leaving the form OF procedure TO be de-
termined by rules of court.
Another defect in our judicial sss-
tenn is giving to defeated litigants two
appeals So far as the litigant is con-
cerned. one appeal is all that he
should be entitled to. 1t is better that
the cases all be decided promptly even
if a few are wrongly decided.
Again there has been manifested to
our appellate courts too great disposi-
ton to reverse cases by error in the
trial below.
think a step in the direction of the
dispatch of litigation might be taken
in requiring higher qualifications for
those judges that sit in cases involv-
ing a small pecuniary amount poor
man should have the benefit of as
acute and as able judges as the rich
and the money saved from the smaller
salaries to the justices of the peace
and the judges OF the interior courts
In. hn int N
the public.
Another method of getting rid of
great deal of litigation that continues
a great deal of time, could be effected
by the introduction of system for
the settlement of damage suits by all
employes against employers through
official arbitration and without resort
to jury trials. Such a system is work
ing well in England, as | am In
formed.
Again, I beiieve that a great reform
might be effected. especially In the
Federal courts. and believe. too. In
the state courts. by mandatory re-
duction of the court costs and fees.
The salaries OF the court officers
should be fixed and should be paid
ont of the treasury of the county.
state or national Government as the
case may be. and fees should be re-
duced to as low a figure as possible.
consistent with the reasonable dis
couragement OF groundless and unnec-
essary litigation.
Nominees Sign Names.
When the last course had been
served. both the distinguished guests
were kept busy signing menus. which
were passed up over the mat of or
chids in front of their section of the
speakers table Meanwhile the ban
quet hall remained in good-natured
disorder The orchestra played In
cessantly, working the brasses and
drums to the limit, but the music was
almost drowned in the babel of shouts
and songs.
Were Here Because We're Here"
was favorite-
Dixie" inspired shrieks which ap-
parentIy were not for anybody. but
merely symptom of the prevailing
excitement
And through ii all the two nominees
labored with smiling fortitude. sign
ing their names.