Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-20
the SUPREME COURT.

| The supreme court of the state is OF
course known as the highest tribunal
for the decision Of controversies in
the state.
The character, ability and steadfast-
| ness Of the members of that court is
Of highest Importance to every citizen.
! The loss OF Justice II. Z. Deemer &c
that court is by common consent al
most irreparable. Distinguished by
peculiar affability Of manner, he was
man of the utmost industry and ap-
plication He, for instance, became as
a member Of the state bar association,
very much interested in the erection
Of a home for our state library, that
should be hrsproof and afford protec-
ton to that magnificent collection Of
state and colonial reports. that is ad-
mit,edly now the finest in the United
States since the destruction OF the
New York library at Albany by fire.
and excepting the congressional
library.
1t was project very near to Judge
Deemer's heart. He was chairman OF
the committee OF the state bar asso-
citation that had this matter in charge:
that is, the erection of building that
should be sufficient for the supreme
o,,d fba lihrary
The vacancy caused by Judge
Deemer's death must soon be supplied
by an appointment by the governor
and whoever is appointed. will no
doubt be a candidate for election.
With the exception OF taking sub
mission OF cases. at which time oral
arguments may be made, the work OF
the members Of the supreme court is
done in the quiet seclusion OF the office
of each Judge or In the consultation
room at the capitol. There is no parade
about it, no blowing Of trumpets, and
the extent Of it can only be judged by
past record of what has been sub
mitted in the way of cases, and what
has really been done.
From an investigation made by
Clerk Garrett Of the supreme court,
and Just made public by him for the
year 1916, the labor devolving upon
each member Of the court is seen to be
immense.
During the year 1915, there were
cases originally submitted, $50; petit
tions for rehearing, during the year,
$50: motions submitted during the
year 235. making grand total OF all
submissions. 975. There were in alb
stracts in cases submitted, in pages,
1875: pages in arguments. 1912;
pages in petitions for rehearing, 4,319.
| Making a total Of pages Of printing.
g2,297.
The court sat hearing oral argu-
ments flfty-nine days. Deducting the
above and the number Of Sundays in
the wear. leaves o54 working days. The
above number Of pages divided by 25A
equals 3s3 pages and over per day for
the members to read.
| There were sos opinions handed
down during the year, and the num-
Der of pages were 4,61s. Each judge In
his work must read at least those
opinions and portions of text books re-
ferred to in arguments Of counsel
which will be needful, necessary and
helpful in writing an opinion to De
submitted to his brethren on the bench
and il approved, to be filed and after
wards published. first in the North
Western Reporter, and then in per-
manent form in reports Of the state.
Every citation by book and page
must be scanned with the greatest
care, 10 as to be absolutely correct.
From the foregoing. 1t will be seer
THAT the work Of the supreme judge re-
auires a vigorous body as we'll as mind
intense application and nDceasine
labor.
1t is to be hoped that Governor
Harding in fulfilling his duty, Will b
liable to select a man. who will fill tn.
requirements OF the position will
u AFFINITY ana be a real aid TO the court.