Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-09

sions each a year. 1t believes the in
crease Of the number Of judges of the
Supreme Court to five was unnecessary.
Tho Remington Banner and the Union
Journal believe tho next legislature
should reduce the number Of Supreme
Court Judges to three and the Judges OF
the superior courts to five and compel
tho municipal courts to hear all of the
cases within their jurisdiction to avoid
tho payment of Justice Of the peace fees
there. The Montpelier journal md the
Springfield Reporter present strong argu-
mcnts against any reduction In the num-
her Of Judges In the various courts ana
especially tho Supreme Court because
five members nre necessary to give that
court proper dignity and to make its
decisions weighty enough to be properly
recognized throughout the country. TO
this the Gro.on Times and some other
papers have replied that they believe
tho Supreme Courts decisions should de-
rive their Strength from their justice
rather than from the number OF men
makink them.
The Caledt ninn is inclined to accept
the argument Of the papers against the
maintenance Of 80 large courts as the
stronger of these so far submitted. Dis
cusson of the courts and their pro-
ceedure is rather dangerous for one un-
acquainted with the principles OF law,
as most Vermont editors are. ourselves
Included. still It seems reasonable for a
layman to ask the judicial department
of tho state TO show that the great in
| crcascs in the court expenses OF the
state nave expedited or made more GER
tain the rendering Of Justice in this state.
II is true the court dockets have been
cleared to Some extent but that has been
partially accomplished by the disposition
OF the Judges to strike off cases that are
never intended for trial and have been
kept on the dockets for the sole purpose
Of thwarting justice. There Is also n
growing disposition In Vermont courts
TO he less Influenced by mere technical
tics and thus to some extent expedting
their work. These conditions are the re-
suits Of the quality Of the Judges rather
than Of their number. with the dockets
being cleared and reduced in size, as the
advocates Of the larger courts assert
the amount OF work for each Judge must
soon be diminished and the number of
judges could be reduced without delaying
the cases before the courts. The Supreme
Court does not consider question Of fact
IN connection with case. the facts in
| the case are presented in the lower
courts. The Supreme Court decides
whether or not the rights under the law
Of the parties in litigation have been vio-
lated and if they have order n re-trial.
So it would hardly seem necessary to
have bulk to secure accuracy in this
class Of work. The salary Of Judge now
Is large enough (but they are not over
paid, to secure a man whose accuracy
, on these questions is as sure as that
of a multitude.
These facts increase the demand for a
demonstration that the work Of the Yer
mont Supreme Court cannot be safely,
the back-or rather In the rima gottids--
is one Of the most contemplate and hor-
rid developments Of this whole lament
able business.
Here is young man and generous pa
triot. intent on offering his fair young
life and his many graces to the SER
vice Of his beloved State.
Here is a bundle Of lofty aspiration
and a Characterization Of potential viz
tues. ready to endure the sings and
arrows Of outrageous politics II onl,
Vermont may be exalted and the vote,
proflted thereby, accused Of being a song.
S''i' IueTe Il tnTlner Oh HIT
Ing lays. chorister, a ballad-monger. a
singer Of chanty, and n chanter of ligh
melodies.
Instead Of assisting this deserving
young candidate to acquire virtue thi,
false messenger compels him to a choi,
Of song.
1t is plain that the generous thing fol
Doctor Mead to do is 70 freely admit tina
bn hoc I,
staht congregational singing or inspir,
a hopeful Sunday school TO hymns o.
praise Thus would honors be even an'
the campaign reduced to that cold. pro
safe unharmonic level in which all cam
paign3 perforce belong.