Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-11-01

Ing Judges OF the courts OF appeals OF
the state, representing all the appel
late districts In the state except the
one of which the supreme Judge was
u resident at the time he was elected
to his Office. II this suggestion does
not meet with approval, let the law
provide for the appointment by the
governor of regular tribunal. per-
manent or appointed for each case, to
try such matters.
"There is no difficulty about the
matter. No Judge can object to be-
Ing tried on charges which are inves-
tlgated and passed upon In the same
manner In which he investigates and
passes upon charges against all other
citizens. Nor will the people lack
confidence in the investigation of
charges against judicial officers which
are conducted before the same tribu-
nails that adjudicate their dearest
rights of life, liberty and property.
The only care to be taken in the
designation of the tribunal for the
trial of such causes is to see that it
is not made up of the judges imme-
diate fellows or associates, so that
not the least suspicion Of favoritism
may attach to the trial.
ut is fact, patent to everybody,
that the courts are losing the conf
dence of the people. When that con-
fidence is gone the courts will have
lost their usefulness. Courts are but
substitute for force In the settle
ment of disputes, and there will be a
return of the law to every mans hand
when his chosen tribunal fails him.
ut does not seem to be charged
that our judges, generally, are cor
rupt, but if there is any suspicion of
corruption among their number, the
judges should be the first to desire a
quick purging of their ranks.
There is much truth in the charge
that the laws delays and technicali-
ties pervert justice. These delays
and technicalities are all traceable to
the law itself, the judges and the
lawyers.
"The law can and should be amend
cd by the general assembly.
"The judg"s should be removed
from office for corruption, incompe'
tency or wilful neglect Of duty.
"The lawyers are not without blame
in this matter. 1t has been charged
that some Of them prolong litigation
so as to increase their own fees. Some
of them delay litigation by their own
blunders. They are officers of the
court and should be subject to its su
pervision and discipline.
"The law now makes provisions for
the removal of the corrupt lawyer;
the incompetent lawyer should be re-
| moved from his office because he de-
lays justice. In this respect the
lawyer and the judge stand together
| Power should be lodged in oul
trial courts to suspend lawyer from
practice upon it's appearing by the
| pleadings he files or his conduct a.
the trial table, that he Is incompetent
Arbitrariness and prejudice of the
trial judge can be guarded against by
requiring him to refer the question Of
the lawyers competency to a stand
ing or special committee of the bal
to re-examine him, investigate hi
record and report its findings, upor
and in accordance with which the
court shall act. If an unfavorablt
report is made, suspension shoul(
only be until passage of a satisfac
tory examination.
mo honest and useful judge oil
lawyer need fear any Legislation
passed pursuant to the recent consti
tutlonal amendment providing fol
the prompt removal of officers. Tn,
Independence of the Judiciary will mo-
be affected thereby. The bar and thu
bench should lead the way in reform.
of our courts to the end that they bt
entitled to and enjoy the peoples en-
tire confidence. So will their useful
ness survive"