The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-01-12
Regarding
DIVORCES.
Rev. |. v. MulhanG ARpIifleS
Former Statements
That Appeared Over The
Signature Of lex"
Objects To Meaning Being
Read Into His Words
Asserts Movement Against
UnCONteStcd Divorces
Does Not Reflect On Mem.
bCfS Of The Bar
Mt Vernon, o., Jan. 8.

Editor Banner:-
am an old scribe-pencil pusber, II
you will, and am aware of the little
good cards" to newspaper, as
rule, do, for the reason that be-
ing brief they are apt to be misunder-
stood.
In your columns of December 23,
1911, appeared communication from
my pen over the signature, LEX.
When the copy was handed in at your
counting room, told the receiver OF
1t that the editor was at liberty, IL
he saw fit, to put it above my own
name.
1t has been talked about in certain
circles that the writer was moral
coward not to sign his name. Well, !
am neither moral nor physical COW
ard, so you may look at the bottom of
this letter and discover the guilty
party.
l do not wish to apologize for or to
AStAoNS OhC Slh6lC tlhC vi NY Cdlu vi
December 20, but do object against
reading meaning into my words that
careful perusal of them will not
justify. / repeat from the copy be-
fore me: "In other courts in this
state and other states such action has
been taken and both the bench and
bar have welcomed 1.-THE only objec-
ton after Its trial coming from a GER
tain class of attornews who make a
specially OF rapid transit divorces,
and who are known in city parlance
as police court shysters' and 'ambul-
ance chasers' y. 1t was farthest from
my meaning to 30 denominate that
part of the local bar who opposed this
movement, for the reason that said,
"after Its trial." and as it has not been
tried In Mt. Vernon, these words were
not locally applicable.
l have the highest respect for the
law, and brook or countenance no
violation Of it, but l cannot always
carry that respect to those who use
legal machinery for selfish ends or
who under the shield of the law are
inclined to unduly waste the time and
substance of the helpless litigant.
am in the hope that ! count many
friends among the local bar--in fact
all with the possible exception of a
few, whose sharp practice have been
instrumental In foiling, when occasion
offered. Though / live in Mt. Vernon
try to keep the hay-seed out of my
hair
This talk about the proposed move
nent in regard to uncontested divorce
eases rejecting on the bar is sheer
nonsense. If reflection Is cast in
any direction, is seems 1t would be
upon the bench, but this is simple
mere Imagination.
1t Is pleasing to know that the local
bar has such keen appreciation of
It's dignity, and let us hope that they
may keep up the high standard that
they aim at However, let me say
that In common estimation the bar
Of Knox county now is not what it was
a quarter of century ago-too much
commercialism has crept into it. Sure
ly, the local bar must know that never
in American history has there been o
time when the legal fraternity was un
der such scrutiny. The president
court judges, bar associations and the
press clamor for change in our lega
machinery. The most severe indict
ment ever to my knowledge framed
against bench and bar is now appear
ing In one Of our popular weeklies anC
copied in the Columbus State Journa
OF last Sunday and the Sunday pre-
vious. Read, brethren of the law
read it and then, in the language o
our Wesleyan brethren, you gentle
men of the bar whom my words undul
miffed, come up to the mourners
bench, sit awhile on stool of repent
ance, evacuate your bile, and thel
read these words lately uttered b,
Judge Kline on the bench In Michigan
for 25 years: Hitherto, as a rule,