The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-07-13
JUDICIAL REFORM IN ORDER.
Courts ard Their Methods are Not
Immune from Proper Criticism
and Reformation.

The question as to the right OF
the citizen to criticise the courts IS
thus asked and answered by our
esteemed contemporary, the St.
Tammany Farmer:
Has a citizen the right to crltl-
else the courts? This is question
CT much Importance to the people
ana we are inclined to the bellei
that the citizen has not only the
right, but that it is a part OF ms
duty as a citizen to exercise tnat
right. The right to think ana the
right to give expression to thousht
should only be limited by the right
Of every citizen to be protected from
persecution or injustice. The courts
should be protected from criticism
of a nature to bring them into con-
tempt with the people, unless IN que
course Of impeachment proceedings
but they should be open to discus
sion in all matters of procedure or
efficiency. Years of experience have
taught that there is room for I'M
provement in all departments OF pub
lie affairs, and it is notable that
there is more perfect service III
the courts Of some OF the older
countries than i'll this. Admit
| ting that as time goes on thefe
| must be improvement is admitting
that there is room for Improvement
right now. Will this improvement
ever come, except through dlssatls-
faction with existing conditions? Dis.
| satisfaction does not become rae
! tor in Improvement without public
| discussion.
| 1T is charged that the method OF
rendering decisions by the supreme
court gives the opinion of but one
member of the court. and that opin-
/ ions given in this way may be over
ruled at another sitting of the court,
under review of another justice,
| thereby leaving decisions of the
court unavailable as precedents. Ii
this is true, then the pledge OF re.
formation Should be exacted from
the candidates who are now aspiring
10 positions On the supreme bench
and who are asking the votes Of
the people at the coming electlon
It is day of reform Let us not hest
tate to bring the judiciary WEhlr
q the circle Of reformation, if itFgo be
I that there is room for reformation.
1 The views of the Farmer on this
subject are eminently correct ane
are in thorough accord with the Pc
sition taken by our distinguished co
parishioner, Edward N. Pugh, in the
announcement Of his candidacy To-
/ associate justice of the supreme
i court from this district. No one hay
4 ing knowledge of Mr.. Pugh's stand
ing and reputation as citizen ant
a lawyer would deem him capable o
inconsiderate, unjust or disrespectfu
criticism Of the supreme court, ant
1t is not too much to say that ~
would be the East man in the com
munity to say or do anything calcu
lated to bring that exalted tribuna
into disrepute or contempt. Know
ing from observation and experience
however, that a serious defect ex
listed in the system of handling
cases and rendering decisions in th
supreme colIrt-a system that in
wolves no personal reflection upo7
lany of ne members of the cour
yet is injurious to litigants-Ml
Pugh openly and candidly indicate,
the defect and pledged his best Ell
forts TO bring. about its reformation
ii The. general assembly Of the8 stat
mas probably passed a bill 10 en-
force the very change he adYdJates
and no better evidence is. needs
OF the tinleliness and justice OF nj
criticism.