The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-05-20
Our Judiciary
By Ebert HUBBARD.

THERE Is popular cry just about
now for honesty in advertis-
And tie one magazine that has
most to say about honesty in publicity
has recently widely advertised
series OF articles that purport 10 be
an exposure OF corruption in our
courts Of law.
From the spreading headlines. the
brazen basoo and the loud ballyhoo,
one was led 10 expect startling
condition. now Tor the first time
opened to public gaze.
Any one who buys a copy OF this
magazine expecting to get his moneys
worth in way OF exposure VIII nave
good grounds for demanding his
money back.
Read Spaulding on Testimony and
you will find that the value OF Wit
ness statements depends upon who
the witness is. That is 10 say you
must get his point OF view in order
10 know whether he sees a wildcat
or the trouble is merely fly on his
eyebrows.
that Of whippcd-out disappointment.
Having failed as q lawyer, the author
turns states evidence, hoping to
retrieve his hazard OF lost fortune.
His mental attitude is that OF the
escaped nun, His article is petition
in mental bankruptcy.
The beialIing lawyer is no better
than the bcliaklng business man. An
employer could just as well make an
Indictment against his workmen. CIV
ing n list OF their faults and foibles,
as this lawyer can bring an indlct-
ment against the judiciary by comb
ing his memory and imagination for
the lapses OF courts,
Ex-parte post-mortems on lawsuits
should be left to the fedglings in ev-
cry big law office-these boys that
get around in the morning and while
they are dusting the furniture try
the cases of great men who show up
at 10 o'clock.
Every village railroad station, gro
Gerry and blacksmith shop has this
contingent that sits in judgment on
the action of its betters.
Emerson speaks OF the inmates OF
almshouses who sit in the sun and
grayely discuss the presidents pol
lev
This lawyer author seems to be a
hss-been or never-was.
II lawyers were debarred from
heaven this man would probably find
no trouble In getting in and keeping
his seat
His whole line OF argument is re-
vealed In this statement: There Is
widespread growing distrust among
business men OF our courts which
manifesis itself in q tendency to ar
bitrate, compromise and keep out OF
court at any cost"
That wise business men keep out OF
court when they can is true, but
they keep out not because modern
judges are corrupt. but because lti-
cation IS reproductive. II dlsturbs
and breaks in on ones peace OF mino
so that compromise. with a known
loss. Is very much better than litiga =
ton with It's uncertainties
I believe the quality and calibcr OF
our judges are higher today than ever
before in history, and any judge. any
where, Will advise business men &c
settle their own disputes.
The business OF q good lawyer now
js To keep his client out OF court.
Judges are men. and as sucn they
arc liable TO mistakes and errors. As
we get better business men, we gel
better lawyers and judges. Indeed, II
often happens that commonplace mer
lifted TO 1udgcship are inspired men
tally and spiritually and placed or
their good behavior as never before
They are more sober. more discreet
more judicial. IN all their actions
The position of a Judge makes hin
superior IN character to either lawyer
or clients. Lawyers may be for sale
but this man Is not
The success OF n judge does no
consist In catering TO this party @
that but In Interpreting public opln
ion wisely and well. and In bringlni
common sense TO bear In his decis
Ions.
This popular magazine that has en-
oeavored 10 boom circulation by max
ing an attack on our courts all hlonl
the line has overShot the mark.
The first installment OF this expos
IRE Of the judiciary, so widely her
aided. Is deadly commonplace In bot
literary style and subject matter.
is without the saving soul OF wit AM
is devoid OF wisdom.
J prophecy that the second articl
Will not appear.