The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-07
activity Of the government in enforc
ing that statute.


ing that statute
Judicial Procedure.
One gieat crying need in the United
States il cheapening the cost of litiga
ton by simplifying judicial procedure
and expediting final judgment Under
present conditions the poor man is at
woeful disadvantage in a legal con
test with corporation or rich op-
ponent The necessity for the reform
exists both in United States courts
and in all state courts. In order to
bring 1t about, however, it naturally
falls to the general government by its
example to furnish a model to all
states. A legislative commission ap-
pointed by joint resolution of congress
to revise the procedure in the United
States courts has as yet made no re-
port.
i am strongly convinced that the
best method of improving judicial pro-
cedure at law is to empower the su
preme court to do 1t through the me-
dium of the rules of the court as in
equity. This is the way in which it
has been done in England.
Relief of Supreme Court From Un-
necessary Appeals.
No man ought to have as a matter of
right a review of his case by the SUI
preme court. He should be satisfied
by one hearing before a court of first
instance and one review by a court of
appeals. The proper and chief useful
] ~ hn nd
cially the supreme court of the United
States. is in the cases which come be-
fore it so to expound the law and espe
cially the fundamental law-the con-
stitution-as to furnish precedents for
the inferior courts in future litigation
and for the executive officers In the
construction of statutes and the per
formance Of their legal duties. There
fore any provisions for review of cases
by the supreme court that cast upon
that court the duty of passing on ques-
tions of evidence and the construction
of particular forms of instruments like
indictments or wills or contracts. de-
cisions not of general application or
Importance, merely clog and burden
the court and render more difficult its
higher function. which makes it so i'm
portant a part of the framework of
our government. The supreme court is
now carrying an unnecessary burden
of appeals of this kind. and l earnestly
urge that it be removed.
Judicial Salaries.
1 further recommend to congress the
passage of the bill now pending for
the increase in the salaries of the fed
eral judges, by which the chief justice
of the supreme court shall receive $17,-
500 and the associate justices $4,000,
the circuit judges constituting the cir
cult court Of appeals shall receive $10,-
600 and the district judges $4,000. The
positions they occupy ought to be filed
, by men who have shown the greatest
ability in their professional work at
the bar, and it is the poorest economy
possible for the government to pay
salaries so low for judicial service as
not to be able to command the best
talent of the legal profession in every
part of the country. g.
Wipng Out of Postal Deficit.
; For many years there has been a
deficit in the operations of the post
office department which has been met
by appropriation from the treasury
The appropriation estimated for last
year from the treasury over and above
the receipts of the department was
} $17,500,000. l am glad to record the
fact that of that SIT 100000 estimated
for $11, 100000 were saved and return
= a1 10 thn trao ru Z 10 prnfffyinp
to report that the reduction in the
deficit has been accomplished without
any curtailment of postal facilities.
Upon the recommendation Of the
postmaster general l have included II
the classified service all assistant post
{ masters, and believe that this giving
j a secure tenure to those who are thu
most important subordinates of post
masters will add much to the efficiency
l of their offices and an economical ad
ministration.
:. The Frankins Privilege.
= The unrestricted manner in which
h the franking privilege is now being
;, used by the several federal services
and by congress has laid 1t open to Sc
q rious abuses.
n Parcels Post.
e With respect to the parcels post,
@ respectfully recommend its adoption
II on all rural delivery routes and tina
@ eleven pounds, the international limit
@ be made the limit of carriage in sucl
o post The postofTice department has
$ great plant and a great organization
% reaching into the most remote hamle
!. of the United States, and with thi
+ machinery it is able to do a grea
many things economically that If
new organization were necessary
would be impossible to do without eS
travagant expenditure. That is tn
II reason why the postal savings ban
10 can be carried on at small additions
81 cost and why it is possible TO incol
d porate at very inconsiderable el
d pense a parcels post in the rural d.
n livery system.
n Peary.