The San Francisco call., 1910-08-21
MAKING BURLESQUE OF
THE LAW

They do not appear in the guise of penitents, but
volube trio OF farceurs enjoying picnic and
making burlesque of the law. If they think that
is good thing for lawyers and their profession,s
plain man might be disposed to take issue
1t is not at all clear why they elected to go to
jail SO joyously It is almost without precedent
for lawyers to accept an order of court without
appeal or sort of proceedings to cause delay
or embarrassment. What, then, was the subject
matter of the all day conference of eminent counsel
of which we heard following Judge Lawors order?
No doubt it suggested at first that submission
would create sympathetic reaction in favor of the
martyrs cast into prison by order OF tyrannleal
and overbearing mnion Of the law, but to any
with elementary sense OF humor it must have
been obvious on a moments reflection that it would
not have made the difference of continental impre
cation to anybody but themselves if score of law
yers sent to Jail. On second thought, it
appears to have been resolved to turn the affair into
farce with the assistance of the sheriff. By treat
ing the Imprisonment pleasant fiction of the
law it believed that the court could be brought
still into contempt. They have at least
cessfuly demonstrated that the court is powerless
to enforce respect. One even went to the length
of holding boozy reunion of rejoicing to celebrate
the conclusion of the roaring farce. Whom the
gods would destroy they first make mad.
DANGEROUS EMPHASIS
1t seems as if they believed that this is good
time to emphasize the fact that there is one law
for the rich and another for the poor, condition
which they themselves have done so much to create
Did they by chance take time to inspect the foul
and filthy kennels in the jail wherein their fellow
creatures were confined, or didn't they care? The
condition of the San Francisco county Jail, SO far
it affects the ordinary malefactor, has been for
years pest breeding blot civilization How
might these dainty, pampered lawyers relish sleep
ing and living in Ill kept latrine? Yet, such
the daily lot of their fellow prisoners. 1t for
tunate, perhaps, for them to find sheriff who is
likewise toady always ready to crook the preg-
nant hinges of the knee, that thrift may follow
'fawning
1t is no pleasure to me to say these things The
elder Moore has been for years my good friend and
| have held him in high respect, but in this matter
he is all wrong grievously wrong and it is duty
to say much, and say it with emphasis if this
republic is to endure.
Has this community let go all holds and accepted
without reservation the doctrine that rich man
may do he pleases without regard for law
morals or conscience?
CAN MR. FICKERT ANSWER
in receipt of the following letter:
Mr. Edward Cahl, The Call, City-Dear
Sir. | read with great pleasure your an1nadver-
sions in last Sundays issue Mr. Hearsts Ncru-
sade against gambling, while at the same time he
permitted his columns to be used to advertise
certain lotteries having their habitat in this city
write this to ask you if it is the DUTY of
the district attorney, Mr. Fickert, take steps to
the unsophisticated protected of course, by the
police am told that their tickets and lists are
printed at the same time, that they pay small