El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-31

n EFORM In the courts topic discussion II
this 1t long recognized that flaws
listed, both In the apportionment of the courts to dis
tcts and in procedure within the courts To extent
these have been corrected In instances errors
yet rghted No doubt many Of problems
similar those of New Mexico and Arizona relation
to the courts.
United States representative Thomas l. BlantOn has
begun agitation for court REFORM urging some redlst
ing in the state in order that which have too lit
te TO do NAV relieve others with too much urging also that
obliged eight hours day. five
DAYS week and II months in the wear and urging finally
the importance making changes procedure Of
the % changes suggested four at least worth while
As for readusting and reappOrtOning the courts Judge
Blanton-or he district Judge prior to his election
puts his IN this way:
Texas has three judges each drawing $4,000;
Judges each drawing $4,000 All adjourn each year about
again about october 81 10 Work Whatever is done during
Tqy s AggI5 and o o8 10 oeo bnke
lawyer. doctor. editor merchant rests half SO long
5000 district attorneys drawing *24s5 bill has passed
judges 0 supreme court and of criminal
c1i appeals will get 5000; and district judges viii get
$500; district judges however, to get $500
a district Judges work hard hold court most
10 till and from p TIL .. Many districts
The whole state readjusting reapportioning
tuition where all red tape and eobwebs could
gay Ive Gays eacn week or II nonths each year Two
thirds OF the present number OF district judges and district
as was lately done at Justin"
So far local conditions concerned the criticism OF
judges having little apply El
many district they busy almost continuously
Court vacations here range all the way from few weeks
to two months depending the state of the docket but
probably average about month Judges here spend
average of day the bench and several
hours day OF hard work chambers. Even then the
docket of the various district courts here are usually con-
gested The criticism has Judges might
tighten the docket by greater energy expedng the courts
business, but that is matter of opinion.
1t is said that other parts of the there
judicial districts Of relatively recent creation, too
which have little litigation hand that courts
possibly be engaged than four five hours day
Such districts obviously should be enlarged where possible
to take enough territory provide the court suf
Gent occupation possibly thus tightening the labors Of
other court thereby.
RedstTicting effective remedy, however unless
be done every few years. for shifting Of population and Of
the volume of business transactions may few years time
either court TO have too much little to do.
Of representative Blanton % suggestions for changes
procedure four least have merit The first proposes
that in civil cases. jurors concuTng should render
verdict 1t is Judge Blantons contention that this would
eliminate go percent of the hung uries in civil cases. with
the delays and expense which such deadocks entail The
requirement is for agreement of all II jurors
The second proposes that suspended sentence should apply
only in which the defendant being under II years
Of and charged with first offence pleads guilty Judge
BantOn properly argues:
at is ridiculous let hardened thug simply because
he willing to he has before been convicted
plead not guilty fight every step the force the state
to lot Of trouble and expense to convict him. and then be