The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-05-04
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. COMMUNICATIONS.
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An Open Letter.
TO The Members of the Senate. State
OF Oklahoma
You. IN determining this proposition,
undoubtedly will be promted by state
pride and STATE patriotism. AS patrio.
tic Oklahomans we. all Of us, desire
our supreme court to be rated and
considered. and TO be in fact equal to
that OF every other state In the Union.
Let its opinions be good. be reliable,
be reference for future generations,
and the court itself by this means. be
a useful member Of the state organi2a-
tion.
The usefulness of appellate courts
In their influence for good IN the af-
fairs of the state is determined from
the universally with which the con
science of the people recognize the
purity. justness and learning of its de-
cisions Its learnings is not evidenced
alone by the number Of cases 1t may
be able TO cite and refer to supporting
its conclusion. but from its statement
of principles and reasoning that at
once attracts the conscience and at
taches to il those who lave Justice and
/ right for Justice sake
TO attain this exalted position, its
proper place in governmental affcirs,
our courts before announcing opinions
should have, most Of necessity have
time TO consider, weigh aud reflect
/ In connection with, and not indie
pendent OF the above suggestions. an.
other most important essential ac.
lcompanying principle is that Justice
public and private, must be admins
tered speedily. without price or sus-
picion or barter or sale or gain Of
/ any kind. private or political on the
part of the court
II is not apparent that from the
fact that beside the eases now pend-
! ing more cases are now on the way 10
the supreme court of this state than
have been or could be properly con
sidered within twelve months time to
come, thus there IS an increase in the
courts business 10 that extent that be-
fore the court Is twelve months old Il
@ill be two years behind with it's de
cislons This condition tends to pro
duce criticism Of the court for delays.
Criticism has tendencs 10 mduly
hasten decisions, all Of which is at
the expense or detrlment Of the best
results
Experience teaches the lawyer. the
iurist and court, that the courts that
are surrounded with conditions OF im-
laartiality and independence produce
the best results In opinions. from the
standpoint Of learning. research and
commanding respect II should not
be subject or accessible TO. effects of
criticism for seeming delays.
TO avoid this. why not remove the
cause for criticism?
Give the court the opportunity that
rs position for usefulness as a co-or.
ldinate branch OF the government de-
mands. and you viii have accomplish
ed, and not thwaried the aims of or
ganized government under the consti
tuition
Much Of the hindrance from delay
that lies In the pathway OF our courts
in handlns the conditions OF litlea
ton to the satisfaction OF The people
governed, Is Ia the procedure through
and by which opinions of last resort
are obtained The procedure should
be simple easy ~ access al minimum
lexpense. ant without unnecessary de
lay Under the present code It Is ex,
aciiy the reverse. Il Is complex. Il is
not accessible Ia but few. ID Is an
necessarily expensive. and delaY Is on
every hand and every turn. II Is com
plex Ia ihe method Of appeal by case
made. and the method OF procuring
this ca5emade. II n hesei WITH tech
nlcalitles. with certificates and state
menis ~ trial judges. lawyers. clerks
land stenrgrapners that are absolutely
foreien "a justice in the ease. where
Pas ! simple statement hg the trial
conri. with copy OF the record cSamln
"a by him of proren won1 40 ~
/ welt n got better Il Is expensive 81