The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-17
THE LAWS DELAY

Taft hit very strong note in his Chi
cage speech yesterday when he laid in
sistence on the reformation of legal
processes. And what will appeal to
the ordinary citizen Is his criticism of
the delay of the courts.
But reform in our criminal pro-
cedure is not the only reform that we
ought to have in our courts. On the
civil side of the courts there Is undue
delay and this always works for tho
benefit Of the man with the longest
purse. The employment OF lawyers
and the payment of costs all become
more expensive as the litigation is OK.
tended.
1T used to be thought that a system
by which cases involving small
amounts could be carried to the ST.
preme court through two or three
courts of intermediate appeal was
perfect system. because it gave the
poor man the same right to go to the
supreme court as rich man.
Nothing is further from the truth.
What the poor man needs is a prompt
decision of his case and by limiting the
appeals in cases involving small
amounts of money so that there shall
be final decision in the lower court,
an opportunity is given to the poor lit
igant to secure judgment in time to
enjoy 1t and not after he has exhaus.-
ed all his resources in litigation to the
supreme court
Il am lawyer and admire my pro-
fession, but must admit that we have
had too many lawyers in legislating on
legal procedure. and they have been
prone to think that litigants were
made for the purpose of furnishing
business to courts and lawyers. and not
courts and lawyers for the benefit Of
the people and litigants."
There is nothing more disheartening
to the poor man than when engaged in
litigation for damages under laws
which are designed for his protection.
to have the case appealed from court to
court until the final judgment which
he receives is swallowed up in attor-
neys' fees. court costs, and in addition
may easily be far in debt as a conse-
quence Of his litigation.
No wonder such a man gains the
idea that the courts are the property
Of the corporate interests and that the
law Is Of no force.
Common law has classed life and
limb rs among the most precious and
.rrecompensible assets Of human exist
ence. But the usual practice of the
courts has destroyed the confidence of
ordinary men in the hope Of obtaining
their inalienable rights.
When judicial procedure comes in to
deny the poor man equal justice with
the rich man. not only is the institu-
ton Of courts made q farce. but it does
much to weaken the confidence in
them which may lead to anarchy.
It is doubtful If Taft can secure any
vital change in all the abuses of JUS
tice which he mentions but If he can
do away with the delay OF justice In
the federal courts he will set q good
precedent for state legislatures to fol-
low.
That one thing will do more to re-
store the confidence of the laboring
man in the courts than any other one
thing. 1t makes no difference how
perfect the laws and how fair the judg-
e.. II the process OF getting damages
under the employers liability act and
kindred measures. is defeated by pro-
cedure snbversive Of justice to the man
the laws and the courts are supposed
to protect
The turning Of courts of justice into
places which only . rich man may en-
ter without fear. las caused more So
cialistic views OF violent nature than
any other one thing In American life
Culinary.
What caused the family broilf'
Father came home steveds- Rh.
mingham Ags-Herald.