The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-12

have all the material within our Dor
ders that is necessary for perfecting a
model state governments lana of
plenty and an intelligent, Independent.
industrious people who are resource
full, progressive and wise.
Endorses Roosevelt
II most heartily endorse President
Roosevelt's recent message to congress
where he praises in emphatic terms
those judges who have rendered sub
stantiaI and valuable service to our
country and condemns in scathing lam
guage the judges who permit their
courts to be run on the basis of techni-
calities and dilatory methods. Refer
ring to these evils President Roosevelt
says: ut is earnestly to be desired
that some method should be devised
for doing away with the long delays
that obtain in the administration of
liar severity against persons of small
means and favor only the very Grim
inais whom it is most desirable to
punish. This long delay in the final
decision of cases. makes in the aggre-
gate crying evil and a remedy should
be devised. Much of this intolerable
delay is due to improper regard paid to
technicaIities, which are a mere him
drance to justice. In some noted re-
cent cases this over-regard for tech
nicalities has resulted in a striking
denial of justice and fragrant wrong
to the body polite
Personally, 1 would like to see
cases in both the federal and state
courts tried promptly on their merits.
The judge should feel an obligation
to expedite the hearing and ascertain
the truth, ignoring unimportant tech
nicalities of law, excluding all testi-
mony from the records that is irrele-
want and immaterial to the case with
a view to disposing of cases as quickly
and economically as can be done with
proper regard for justice. 1 would
like to see the federal judges of the
in 6rin fnr pf
six years rather than for life. I am
aware that this matter can only be
corrected by federal action, but the
evil should be kept constantly before
the public until permanent remedy is
secured.
Interstate Commerce Law.
1.-THE construction of the interstate
commerce law which recognizes sub
terfuges and technicalities through
which inhabitants of other states are
protected by injunctions of the federal
court while they distribute intoxicating
liquors in violation of the constitution
another example of the evils referred
to by President Roosevelt.
Enforcement of Prohibitory Law.
For a score of years form of law
essness has existed IN our state that
las done infinite harm to the fair name
If the commonwealth. Attorney Cen
,ral Jackson and his assistants have
made a persistent, effective fight against
his lawless element and have. driven
he breweries, jointists and saloons
rom their many strongholds and shown
heir way to permanently stamp out
his disease from our body polite.
THE county attorney. sheriff district
udge and the mayors of the cities are
he officers primarily responsible for
he enforcement of the prohibitory law,
md where men establish themselves, op-
My in business and trample under foot
he constitution and statutes of Kansas
n the presence. and before the eyes
# these officers-such a situation makes
prima facie case of official incompet-
ncy and neglect of official duty which
hould be followed by a summary re-
noval of such officers from their public
and it shah be the pur-
'ose and policy of this administration,
insofar as it has power TO do so. to sus--
end or remove from office every man
Who is neglectful of his duty, or in
ompetent to perform it.
I'VE are living in a great and pro-
ressive age. Earnest, patriotic states
1en and citizens are giving profound
bought to the political problems of
tate and nation. Kansas has always
cen a leader on great moral and po-
tical questions. Let US keep it in the
anguard of all that makes for civic
Tell-being. Let US build for the future
$ the Kansas pioneer built for us. Thus
My shall We discharge our duty to
ur state, to ourselves and to all who
hall come hereafter"