The Natchitoches enterprise., 1915-02-25
The Judiciary; Its Weakness; The
Remedy.

The fo''owing letter to The
S.mes. port Tines from one Of The
ssssAs -s-ss.g 49,
ablest and most brilliant lawyers
in the State, discusses so clearly
and Understandings one Of the
most important branches Of our
government and gives such an
easy and logical solution of the
matter, that it is worthy of serious
considerations and for that reason
we publish it below:
While public attention is now drawn
to the Louisiana judiciary system, on
account of discussion by the press and
the probe commission, it may serve
some useful purpose to state that the
trouble rs not due to judges presiding
where they have relatives practicing
before them, for members of the
Louisiana bar know that there are few
judges in the state who show Partially
to lawyers related to them. AS rule
they are so afraid of being censured
with favoritis.n toward relatives that,
through abundance of caution, they
rather rule and decide adversely to
their relatives.
The main fault with the judiciary
branch of our government is the every
four years election of judges and prose-
cutting attorneys. These officials, to
hold their positions, are forced to be
active politicians, and, in keeping re-
paired their political fences, have to
appeal for help and accept it from any
and all who are willing to give. Being
afflicted with political desires they fall
i. cause the wheel of justice to some
| times jump 6 cog, or come to a stand
still.
Judges and prosecuting attorneys are
like other mortals. They appreciate
past favors, and are not always ad-
verse to bargaining for future favors.
They remember friends; and also enc
mics. Their official existence being
imperiled every four years, they are
forced into the political arena, where
they put themselves under embarrass-
| ing obligations.
Such conditions should not prevail
What should be done, and what must
be done, in order to take the judiciary
branch of government out of politics
and make of it the strong, unshakable
and impartial institution it should be-
an institution to which the rich and
poor alike can go with confidence for
| Justice to make all judges and
prosecuting attorneys elected for life
or during good behavior; with. ample
and easy modes for their removal in
case of dishonesty, incompetency or
| favoritism.
The present system has proven itself
failure. Why not try to obtain some
thing better and more stable? Change
the governors ard legislators as often
as the people desire, but remove the
judiciary from the realm of politics to
q higher sphere, where it can not be
swayed by personal favors, shaken by
public opinion or the vehemence of
political vagaries. Make system
whereby the members Of the bar (who
know the qualifications and fitness Of
the men of their profession) shall nomi-
nate all judges and prosecuting attor-
neys and then let these nominees be
submitted To the voters for approved.
And when approved let them stay there
as long as they fulfill the duties of
their Office with care and honesty. BY
this method, merit, and not demagogy,
win grace the bench, and there will be
an enforcement of law by the courts as
win fill with pride every citizen Of the
Estate.
o. c. DAWKINs.