Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-06
Presidential Candidate Ad-
dresses Meeting Of Virginia
Bar Association.
METHODS ARE UNSATISFACTORY
The Prosecution Of Criminals, He
Says, Ha. Neither Been Certain Nor
Thoroush-Lynehines TraceabIe to
Lack Of Thoroushness-lnequality Of
!.
Administration Of Justice Exists.

Hot Springs, Va, Aug. 6.-William
II. Taft today addressed the Virginia
Bar Association, giving in detail his
views on the delay in the adninistra-
. tion OF the law, and suggestions for the
reformers.
Judge Taft presented the subject by
stating that the end sought IN the ad-
,ninistration Of justice was to promote
tranquility and contentment among
the people. 1T had" he said, long
been established that the supreme
court Of the United States was the
ultimate arbiter Of the great political
and legal issues, deciding upon the
limitation Of both the legislative and
the executive branches of the govern
ment which had carried the usefulness
of the courts beyond anything at
tempted in other countries.
Administration Of Justice Unpopular.
Notwithstanding this desirable sit
nation, Taft expressed doubt that our
present administration OF justice IN
sured general or popular satisfaction
with its results. There Isl" he said.
"abundant evidence that the prosecu-
+,on Of criminals has not been certain
and thorough to the point OF pre-
venting popular protest. The existence
OF lynching In all parts Of the country,
Is directly traceable to this lack OF
uniformity and thoroughness IN the
enforcement Of our criminal law.
II believe the institution OF private
nroperty. next to that Of personal lib
ertv. has had most to do with the up
liftnr OF the physical Ind moral inn
nrovement of the whole human race,
INT that lit is not inconsistent Wltn
the rights Of private property to mi
nose q limitation upon it's uses Tor
unlawful purposes. and that thls Is q
remedy for reform rather tnan the
abolition Of the institution ltselt.
Inequality Exists.
Inequality exists in our present Az
ministration Of Justice. and that sooner
or later it is certain to rise ana trou-
ble us. and to call for popular con-
demnation and reform.
one remedy, Taft said. must pc tne
reform in our judicial procedure wnlch
,s now cumbersome. Another would De
more expedition on the part OF Judges
IN rendering their opinions. AS to ap.
neals. Taft believes "in the court OF
f,rst instance and the Intermediate
annellate courts should be for the pur-
nose Of finally disposing in the just and
nrompt way Of contentious between
litigants.
Jury System Necessary.
Az to Jury system, Taft said: we
can not, Of course, dispense with the
Jury system. It is that which makes
the people part Of the administra-
tion Of Justice. but every means by
which. in civil cases, htigants may be
Induced voluntarily to. avoid expense
and delay and the burden of jury trials
ought to be encouraged because in this
way the general administration OF JUS
tice can be greatly reduced"
Taft closed with a tribute to the
legal profession and cautioned that
conservatism ought not to be allowed
to prevent the reforms which are IN
interest Of equalizing the administra-
tion Of Justice as far as possible be-
tween the poor and the rich.