Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-04-05
SPEAKER WO0DSDISCUS.
SEES ADMINISTRATION
Of JUSTICE
ABUSE, NOT USE. or LAWS cAus.
ING UNREST.

| hotdus leAhs-hon. JnO. w. MOOuh,
speaker OF the House OF Representa-
lives, has replied TO the recent re-
quest OF J. s. Cullinan. Chairman Of
the Texas Economic League. for sK.
prsssions OF opinion from the citizen.
ship OF TEXAS as 20 the best methods
Of improving the Administration 90
Justice. Mr.. Woods reply says:
Texas Is an empire In territory.
lis people are cosmopolitan. liberty
loving and have high ideals. It's gov.
eminent and tho Administration OF
Justice within It's borders depends
not upon one class. not upon one indi-
vidual, not upon one department.
whether Legislative. Judicial or Exec
utive, but upon a cooperation OF all
Individuals, all classes and all depart.
ments. The individual citizen 10
charged with this responsibility as q
voter and a. a Juror Too many OF
the best citizens fail TO discharge
these duties and thereby fail 10 con.
tribute 10 the general good occa.
sionally the Judiciary fails 10 measure
up 70 that high standard OF ability
which should characterize those who
wear the ermine. Sometimes II has
been true that those charged with
the enforcement Of the law have been
willing to listen TO popular ciamor or
court public favor instead OF follow.
lag a keen sense OF public duty
"A State has been defined as a body
81 free people united together for the
common benefit TO enjoy peaceably
what Is their own. and TO do justice
70 others. The nrst duty OF govern.
ment, Is TO promote the happiness
and prosperity OF its people. and the
fundamental purpose OF law is to 10.
ane legitimate activities OF industry
and society. It's purpose should be to
extend its privileges 10 the honest
and industrious. a. well as TO vislt
lie penalties upon the lawless. I be.
lieve that common sense and business
understanding are as necessary 10
'ull and complete justice as legal
!echnicalities.
1T Is the abuse. and not the use. Of
our laws that is causing all this un.
'est and fear OF government. While
! would not claim infalllbilIty for our
statutes. ! do say that a very great
per cent OF the trouble Is due 10
'aulty Administration OF the law. II
matters not how efficient a Law may
10, unless Il is wisely and honestly
administered. injustice will prevail
and no amount OF Legislative enact.
nents can improve such a situation.
Efficiency can only be obtained by
more wise administration OF the Law.
Improvements In the administration
~ Justice can come through improve
nents In the ability OF the men who
administer Il.
Much complaint Ia made against
he inequality In the administration
y Justice and this is wholly the fault
81 those who apply Il. All men are
'aual before the law. and there can
30 no valid excuse for inequality In
administering justice. But. after all.
I needs the patriotic cooperation OF
al the people. looking alone TO the
greatest good to the greatest number.
% bring good government. wisely ad.
ninistered, and thereby bring hap.
,iness and prosperity to TEXAS, so
ar a. government can do this. And
Z Is not TO be forgotten that good
avs, wisely administered by patriotic
public servants have much to do with
he general welfare. and good laws
inNisoly administered will destroy
government" II