The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-02-17
Wickersham in Address at
St. Louis Today Opposes
the Plan Agitated of Re-
call of Judges.
COMMERCIAL COURT
TOPREVENT DELAY
Is His Cure for Bettering
Business Conditions
Obedience to the Law Is
Plea He Makes.
(National News Association

sXSSStOuot 1NG"o AooOCIdklVHJ
ST. LOUIS. Feb. IA vigorous de.
tense Of the supreme court Of the
United States and it's application OF
the rule OF reason" in adjudicating
trust litigation, an attack upon the
propaganda urging the recall Of judg-
es and advocacy Of commercial courts
for the various states to expediate the
laws work, constitute the keynote
trinity Of speech delivered by
George w. Wickersham, attorney gem
city club OF st. Louis this afternoon.
Mr. Wickersham announced his text
as National Stability" and said 1t
was his design to tell the members Of
the city club. who are influential bust
ness men of affairs. how national sta
bility can be brought about.
I'VE must respect our courts and
the constitution" said he. "and help
ailay the growing discomfort with con-
servative bodies which is bringing
agout such a condition that upright
and we'll fitted men hesitate to accept
office"
A Commercial Court.
Mr.. Wickersham got his commercial
court idea from England and believes
that It will 20 far toward solving the
problem of the laws delay by lessen
ing tho burden on the courts. Speak.
ing OF proposed reforms. he said:
"rhe principals of our government
which ten years ago would have been
considered 10 we'll settled as not to re.
quire more than their mere statement
for ready acceptance. are today treat
cd a. though they were worn out and
exploded theories and the very es-
oontials OF our constitutional govern
mont are brushed aside by many en-
thusiaseic social reformers as worthy
Of nothing but condemnation.
On the subject Of the Judiciary, Mr..
Wickersham said:
I'VE have not yet required of our
legislation tho scientific precision OF
formulation which business men re-
Quire in the completion OF important
contracts, When the. right Of litigants
depend upon the provisions Of statutes
Il 10 the duty Of the courts to construe
them and to construe them In the light
Of reason: It seems incredible that
any man Of average intelligence
should be found to take any other
view of judicial duty.
"The same principal 10 involved in
the construction and application Of the
acts OF congress- regulating Transports
tion. Every merchant. every manu-.
facturer have interest In the rates Of
transportation over the railroads con-
Meeting different parts Of the United
States and In the establishment, and
maintenance of q system that will be
free from confusion. Such q system
can only be maintained under q con.
tros which shall be as comprehensive
~ the business OF the country.
Must Bs Independent.
unless we continue to have judges
who are independent. whose tenure Of
office docs not hang upon momentary
popularity with the crowds. and who
are not to be deferred from perform.
ing their duty by any amount Of
clamor, these questions may not be
OGCWoU III ACCVIO6uCc VIII tue COu-
stitution and the law, but according
to other conditions: l am aware that
judges. ~ we'll as other people, some
times. are strongly indifferent to q
righteous public sentiment and allow
themselves to be influenced in their
Interpretation and application Of laws
by class prejudice or personal con-
alteration. Where judges become so
blinded by prejudice or class feeling
that they cannot fairly and impartial.
ly administer the law they should be
impeached. But the process of inn
peachment of judges Is a cumbersome
one. But It may be noted in passing
that during the 100 years of its ex.
istence the judiciary of the United
States has been almost without excep-
ton free from any suspicion of cor.
ruption or misconduct: and has per.
formed the duties laid upon it certain
~ as efficiently ~ any other branch
n the government. And in it's whole
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