Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-10

which the Constitution shall be applied
when the people desire 1t, and snail De
withheld in Its application when they
find temporary reasons for its being
withheld. Such a government would lack
In uniformity of law which is essential to
justice, and would produce that confusion
and those exceptions in the application
Of law which are the beginnings and
manifestations of a despotism.
have not attempted to say that the
administration Of law in our courts Is
perfect do not think it Is. For years
I have been urging remedial measures In
the matter of the enforcement Of the
criminal law the administration of which
in many states is disgracefully weak.
So, too. l have been urging the elimina-
ton of delays In civil litigation. or reduc-
the cutting off Of fees and costs, so that
the poor litigant may stand on a nearer
equality with his richer opponent. Legis-
latures, Congress, bar associations are all
at work now on this reform. and we
may hope gradually that it will be
brought about. 1t is not spectacular and
it takes hard work and attention, but
most real reforms are accomplished lit
tie by little. and step by step. It Is gen.
orally impossible to overcome detects OF
long standing by a single blow. We must
be content to make little progress now
and a little progress them. and those who
are real reformers can not hope to nave
their efforts fully appreciated by the
people DIT ELL &c uulAA loH6 0lSSA tASiA q
forts have ceased and they live only in
memory.
Practical J. Method for Removing
Judges.
We have hadavery few corrupt judges.
1t Is said that we cannot remove them
except by the cumbersome method OF i'm
parchment. If 1t Is thought wise to i'm
prove the methods of removal or to in
crease the reasons for removal this can
be done by the creation of tribunal for
the purpose. Make 1t impartial: give
hearing and then let proper action fol-
low. But that is very different thing
from leaving to disappointed liugants
the power to remove the judge whose de-
cision has been against them. On the
whole, the judiciary of this country, ap-
pointed and elected, are a highly hon.
orable and learned body of men. It has
been the habit to abuse the courts when
as a matter of fact the abus& should be
leveled at the procedure and the circum-
stances which have tied the hands Of
the judges in giving greater expedition
and greater certainty of punishment in
the criminal law and less cost of litiga-
ton in civil cases.
Decisions Against Progressive Leg
islation.
1t IS true that In number of instances
which have been made known by public
comment judges have, in my judgment,
mistakenly interfered with progressive
legislation, or interposed constitutional
objection to its enforcement; but these
instances are the EXCEPTIONS for 1t can
be safely affirmed that in the great ma
jority of such constitutional decisions
the views of the courts and the judges
respond to the trend of enlightened pub
lie opinion. When this Is not done the
remedy is perfectly evident. Amend that
clause Of the Constitution which inter-
feres with the progressive law. if it Is a
law that the people desire. The course
of amendment Is not SO complicated but
that amendment can be brought about If
the people will act, and deliberately con-
clude that they desire such an amend
ment. That is the appointed way: why
should it not be taken? That Is the or
derby way; that is the deliberate way;
that is the commonsense way; and 1t is
order, elaboration and calm that secure
ready said, it's likeness to divine judg-
ment.
Postal Savings Banks and Parcels
Post.
Ihere are many other things done in
this administration that would come
properly under the head Of ''progressive''
measures and that justly entitle those
who feel responsible for it to claim that
it has been a progressive administration.
and that If it is returned to power fur
Their progressive measures may be ex-
pected. Postal savings banks have been
established. and the enlargement Of the
post Office for the use Of the parcels post
is quite at hand and has been promoted
in every way by the present administra-
ton. That this will help to reduce the
cost of living in the country, and that.
due to this and the rural delivery. the
suburban electric railway, the automobile
and the telephone, the hard life of the
farmer will be ameiiorated no one can
doubt In other words, II the people give
to the republican party and the present
administration their mark of approval In
a national election, the march of pro-
sressive legislation will continue, and the
progressive additions to our govern
mental structure which are to serve the
purpose Of making broader and wider
and more perfect the equality of oppor-
tunity will continue to rest upon the SUBJ
structure of that Constitution and those
restrictions which have secured for near
ly a century and quarter to the Amer
lean people the infinite blessing of the
widest liberty. preserved and regulated
by law.