The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27
Knox
 Hats

quently when a mrtder case Is reversed, this expense Is doubled. The counties pay 1t, but in the long run, 1t touches the states treasury. There is one mur- der case on record which has not yet been finally determined, which has cost the state of Alabama something Ike SSO0O or s10,000. This Is the case of a negro. whose appeal has been before the supreme court seevral times.
 It Is contended that the suprer,e court has the authority, under the code, or making rules of practice which Will go far towards preventing so many tech nical reversals, and that such changes in the long run will have a strong ten dency towards diminishing the number of appeals And right at this point, 1t Is urged. is where the immense saving is derived by the state.
 New Legislation Needed
 But the supreme court has It's limita- tions. While other reforms are needed, many of which have been advocated by various members of the judicial commits sion, these reforms cannot be put Into effect except by lebislative enactment. Among the reforms advocated are the lengthening of the term of the supreme court which will allow that tribunal to dispose of all cases without the nee essity of carrying them over for an- other term, or even another year, changes in the present system of crim- inal appeals, which occasions long and tedious delays at great cost to the state; changes in reference to the num- Der of special charges, and numerous other laws which have long since been adopted by other states. and HOW ad- vocated by the lawyers of this state.
 Such changes, however. can only be effected by legislative enactment, and should the legislature meet in special session at any time before the end of Governor O'Neal's administration, many of these proposed reforms will doubt less be put upon the statutes. The of needed r\forms was the principal function of the judicial commission appointed by Governor O'Neal but that commission can do nothing without the aid of the legis- lature, and its efforts are, consequent ly, being held In abeyance in view of the fact that the state solons will not meet for the next year or more.
 Reforms Bound to Come
 Changes in the method of judicial practice and procedure in Alabama are considered 10 be merely a matter of time New rules of practice will prob ably be put into effect by the supreme court within the next month or two,
 
 renovation of the judicial system of the state will probably not come for year or more.
 Lawyers throughout the state contend that Alabama will have to adopt new methods of procedure in criminal and civil cases. Since the establishing of the supreme court In 1920, there have been practically no new rules of prac- tice adopted by that court. and while other states in the south have revised their old systems of practice, and have adopted many changes looking to facil- itating the trial of cases, Alabama Is looked upon as bringing up the rear, and there is now an insstent demand on the part of lawyers throughont the state that Alabama fall in line with her sis ter states in regard to these judicial reforms.
 There Is a demand aGo on the part of lawyers throughou< the state for judges of liberal tendencles-Afor judges who are willing to give up antiquated methods of procedure and practice This demand has become so great that any lawyer who shall hencesoTth offer for a place on the supreme court bench will have a splendid chance of being elected, regardless of ability. in preference to one who believes In a strict adherence to old methods of practice, no matter how able the latter may be. Lawyers the state are demanding judicial reforms, they are opposed to so large a number of reversals on tech nical error, and they are looking to the supreme court to put ibself on record as favoring these changes by adopting such new rules of practice as may re- gult in the greatest good.