Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-12
COUNTY JUDGES ORGANIZATION
Propose to Seek Amendments to
Present Laws,


HASTINGS, Neb., Sept. ~I1.-(Special) j.
Yesterday afternoon at the court house
in this city occurred a meeting of Ne
braska county Judges. They gathered
from every section Of the state in response
to a call from Judge +. l.. Carrico of
Minden, who desired a conference with his
brother judges over the chaotic condition
of the probate fee system and the many
Irregularities and crudities in the practice
Of these courts. There is no manner of
educational or legal qualification for the
Nebraska county judge. 1t was to initiate
a movement looking toward the eradication
OF these and many other probate evils
that the Judges met, organized and laid
plans for a campaign Of education that
they hope and believe will result at an
early date in much useful legislation.
F. L. Carrtco of Minden was elected
chairman and r. c. Roper of David City,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The following COM
mittees were appointed:
observation-disclosures w. r. Fulton Of
Geneva, r. c. Roper of David City and
II. E. Spafford of Beatrice.
For Correcting Errors and Irregular
tiles in Statute Relating to Fees-Judges
George Losey Of Bloomington. Leslie of
Omaha and J. G Moore Of Mccook.
Fremont PTeG O. e. sh6 5ioTn' Of Af aSSnSI W. RI Rl
Fulton of Geneva, }. =. Cosgrave of Lin
coin and II. T.. Spafford of Beatrice.
On Consideration of Methods for Raising
the Standard and Improving the QualifiCa-
ton of Judges-Judges w. r.. Fulton of
Geneva, l. w. Edison OF Red Cloud and J.
B. Skinner of Hebron.
Unable to be present, Judge Leslie Of
Omaha sent as his representative Hon. D..
l.. Johnson of that city. Mr., Johnson, who
has made a speciality Of probate practice
and record titles, discussed these subjects
instructively. The meeting then resolved
itself into a sort of round table discus
sion Of the many phases of probate prac-
tice susceptible to Improvement.
While all agreed upon the Importance of
raising the qualifications OF Judges, 1t was
the sense of the meeting that it would be
both unjust and unwise to limit the selec-
ton of judges to the ranks of regularly ad-
mitted and practicing attorneys. 1t is well
known that a large number of the most
successful county judges have acquired
their equipment in the practical school of
experience. Many Of these are men Of ripe
experience and excellent Judgment and
nothing could be gained by deprivlng the
public of their services. The county Judges
will ask the next legislature TO limit the
selection CT candidates for that office to
one of two classes. To be eligible. the ran
didate must be a lawyer, or one VINO has
occupied the position of county Judge. 1t
maybe necessary to exempt from the pro-
visions of this opposed measure the few
sparsely settled counties in the western
part Of the state. where no attorney has
located. Many judges mentioned the diff
ficulty they experienced In constituting wills
carelessly and ignorantly drawn by men
totally unlearned in legal phraseology.
There are still said to be a few judges I'm
the state who habitually violate the statute
prohibiting them from practicing as at
torneys In their own courts, There are
also said to be a number of others who
permit the filing of papers not drawn by
those who are legally qualified to prepare
them. The judges manifested general in
terest In the revision of our fee system,
which they characterized as vague, in
definite, Uncertain and altogether unsatis-
factory. In some instances they are almost
compelled TO guess at some of the items,
and II d mistake is made, they are liable
20 pay a heavy fine and, furthermore, 70
be reviled, prosecuted and despitefully
used.
At , o'clock in the afternoon Of Tuesday,
November II, 1893. the county judges will
meet in adjourned session at the Lindell
hotel at Lincoln. Neb., at which time it is
hoped that every county judge in the state
will be present.