Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-03

of government was presented to the
Legislature that some opposition
would develop in the quarters
whence the most vigorous protests
have come. But unless these objec-
tors are able to present something
more legitimate in the way of argu-
ment than the hysterical appeals
from which we have quoted, they
can hardly look for very serious
considerable of their protests in the
Legislature.
1t is preposterons to advance as a
reason for opposing the two higher
| courts meeting here that the change
would add burdens to litigants to
such an extent as to endanger the
rights of citizens. This silly appeal
, ton that there are Interior motives
and unknown forces" back of the
proposition.
Governor Sproul and many other
officials and lawyers throughout the
State believe that the two higher
judicial tribunals should sit regular
ly in Harrisburg and now that the
issue is joined, let the truth be
known. Instead of the interests of
the litigants being considered In
these frantic appeals, the real rea-
son for the attacks is the selfish
desire of certain lawyers to promot
their own interests by forcing the
courts to meet in Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh. If litigants are wise,
they will see to it that their repre-
sentatives in the Legislature are
urged to support the Hess bills and
to insist upon their prompt consid-
Grafton.
For years it has been regarded as
certain that there would be a con-
centration here of the judicial de-
partments, as there has been of the
executive and legislative depart
ments. This is the proper place for
the sittings of the courts. There
was never any excuse for their ses-
sions elsewhere save in the earlier
days when travel was more incon-
venient and expensive than now and
when no provision had been made
at the seat of government for the
regular business of the State courts.
Those who realize the emptiness
of the arguments against the prop
osition should force a showdown in
the Legislature and not permit the
bill to be buried in committee or
defeated by og-rolling or other
methods. Governor Sproul would
be entirely justified. as one who ia
vors more efficient functioning of the
government of the Commonwealth
here, in taking a hand in bringing
about this desirable change. Mean
while, it is interesting to observe
that many of the most prominent
members of the legal fraternity
throughout the State are in favor
of the courts having their perma-
nent sittings in Harrisburg. These
do not fear that the most precious
heritage of American freedom" nor
the rights of rich and poor are in
the slightest peril should the Hess
bills prevail. Neither are they wor-
ried over the statement of the Pitts
burgh circular regarding the pro-
posal that 'its origin is undiscover-
able" Certainly, the "unknown
forces" said to be back of the bills
are less to be feared than those
equally unknown forces" which are
frantically setting up opposition to
the measures.
When Governor Sproul started out
to increase the efficiency of the
State government by concentrating
its various departments here, there
was not a whimper of opposition.
Everywhere his plan was commend
ed and is still being commended.
Why the judicial departments should
find 1T necessary to conduct it's bus
mess outside the capital city when
the executive and legislative depart
ments with all their machinery are
located at the seat of government,
is hard to understand and the rca-
sons advanced by the Pittsburgh OBJ
jectors will provoke a smile wher-
ever the purposes back of the oppo-
sition are understood.