The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-06
Candidate Suggests Reforms
in Speech to N@lia
Bar Association.
LAWYERS RESENT
LEADERS PROMISE
Say President Meredith Was Wrong
in Pledge for Republicans.
Majority for Bryan.
By JAMES HAY, JR.

HOT SPRINGS, Va, Aug. 6.-Mem-
bers OF the Virginia Bar Association
spent part of today listening to Tafts
address on Delays in Litigation" and
criticising Wyndham r. Meredith their
president, for having given out an in
terview which, they think, gave the i'm
preston that the membership OF the
organization was for Taft
one lawyer became so indignant over
the attack on his allegiance TO Bryan
that he suggested the introduction OF
resolution explaining that Meredith, in
coming out for Taft. did not express
the views OF the members. but It was
decided that the association would bet
ter not take official notice OF the matter.
However, they made up in private con-
versatlon for any lack OF official ac-
ton, and were emphatic IN COndemning
Mr.. Meredith for his action.
state Senator Luis Machen. OF Alex
andria, said.
'Ninety-nine per cent Of the associa-
ton are Democrats, and 9S per cent wifi
vote for Bryan. Mr.. Meredith did not
express our sentiments when he cane
out Tor Taft. There are some members
who are for him, and some Of them viii
vote for the first time next November
FOR Republican, but the great mapor-
ity are for Bryan"
In spite of this, however, there is Il
pronounced sentiment among the law
yers for Taft. The candidates address
was heard by everybody here. and was
frequently interrupted by applause.
Mr.. Taft Speaks.
Mr.. Taft spoke in part as follows:
while we may properly felicitate
ourselves on a widened function OF our
courts, enabling US 70 avoid less peace
able methods OF settling important po-
litico-Iegal questions have we the right
10 say that our present administration
OF justice generally insures continued
popular satisfaction with its fssults2
I think not
The present is a time when all our
institutions are being subjected to close
scrutiny with a view TO the determine
tiOn whether we have not now tried the
institutions upon which modern society
rests 10 the points OF proving that
some of them should be radically, chang
ed The chief attack is or the lnstitu-
ton of private property. and is based
upon the inequalities in the distribution
or wealth ana or human happiness, that
are apparent IN our present system.
As have occasion in other places
70 say frequently, / believe that the
institution or private property, next
TO that Of personal liberty, has had
most TO do with the uplifting and
physical and moral Improvement OF
the whole human race but that il IS
not Inconsistent with the rights OF
private property to impose limita-
tions upon its uses for unlawful pur-
poses, and that this is the remedy for
reform, rather than the abolition, Of
the institution itself
Our present system, while not per-
feet Is not so far from proper results
as call for anxiety. The judges OF
the country, both State and National,
on an average. are good men. Venal-
ity In our Judges is very rare.
Remedies for Evil.
1T may be asserted as a general prop
osition, to which many Legislatures
seem TO be obIivious, that everything
which tends TO prolong or delay litiga-
lion between individuals. or between
individuals and corpora tiOns, is great
advantage for that ltigaut who has
the longer purse. Every change OF pro-
Cedure that limits the right Of appeal
works for the benefit In the end of the
poor litsant, and puts him more on an
equality with a wealthy opponent.
1T probably is true, that the dispOsi-
tiOn OF the litigation is, in the end, more
likely 10 be just when three tribunals
have passed upon il, than when only
one or two have settled il; but the in
justice which meantime has been done
by the delay to the party originally en-
titled 10 the Judgment generally exceeds
the advantage that he has In ultimately
The shortening OF the time win re-
duCe the expense. because. first. the
fees OF the lawyers must be less If the
time taken is not so great.
Second, the incidental court fees and
costs viii be less. Again, 1 believe that
a great reform might be effected. Ger
talnly I'm the Federal courts. and I
think, too, In the State courts, by a
mandatory reduction OF the court costs
and fees / think another step IN the
direction OF the dispatch OF litigation
would be the requirement OF higher
qualifications for those judges VINO sit
To hear the cases involving q small
pecuniary amount
Another method by which the irrita-
ton at the inequalities in our aduInis-
tration Of Justice may be reduced VouId
be by the Introduction Of a system for
the settling Of damage suits brougbt
by the employees against public service
corporations through official srbifrs
ton and without resort TO jury trials-1