El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-10-04
.LANYERSSH0ILD
LEND 4 HAND"
Attorney Says They Don't
Take Enough Interest
In The Government.

u
ing the affairs Of government IN this
country. according to W. E. Miller. ad-
dressing the monthly luncheon OF the
FL Paso Bar association at noon sat
: urday.
He said they were neglecting their
duties as citizens and called attention
to some Of the dangers now besetting
[ the country which they can and should
help to combat By training. he said,
they are fitted to help restore the
I government Of CO. fathers" and they
should help to safeguard the institu-
tons OF America In part, he said:
IT IS a matter Of just pride that
while all others, including the min
istry, are striking or threatening to
strike for higher wages. and while
every thing lawyers buy has increased
in price twofOld, and while their fees
have remained the same. yet like the
patient ass, we continue to pull our
load uncomplainingly and without
seeking governmental relief OF blam-
ing the war for our Wretchsd condi-
tion.
Lawyers Inactive.
Not IN the last three centuries at
least have lawyers as a class exerted
so little influence on public thought
and action. Who among US believe
that lawyers are a potent factor In
shaping thought and action along pub
lie OF governmental lines2 Who can
point to a single instance IN recent
years where lawyers as a class or
Z profession. have been identified with
any great movement IF public concern
or moment Perhaps Big Bill Hay
wood and Plumb are individual excep-
tons Their cases, however. prove
/ the point I am trying TO make, be-
cause the lawyers as d class, have not
nor have many as individuals. at
Z tempted 10 show the public the falla-
/ cies OF their scheme OF things.
/ we sit aside in bored indifference.
while designing schemers and vision
arv cranks try 10 remake and run the
machine called government We have
/ ceased 10 even have any appreciate
T influence in the selection Of our
! judges. and this is true whether they
l are selected or appointed
We OF Texas are sitting by and
watching our senators procure the
Z appointment Of a very pleasant man
and first class politician 20 the posi-
Z ton Of circuit judge OF this circuit,
& but whose closest friend at the bar
would not claim for him the learning
OF the temperament necessary 70 fit
hin 10 fiji that position acceptably.
. Who among US doubt that this condi-
( ton Of affairs is due 70 our own in
action2
Justice FIouted.
formerly lawyers constituted the
bulk OF office holders In such posi-
ton, but with changed political meth
DDS and the increased cost Of cam
paigning, Few lawyers have the incli-
nation 10 run for office. and very few
are sufficiently supplied with this
worlds goods TO enable them to do so.
As result, their influence has waned
TO the vanishing point.
sNever IN the worlds history
has there been less respect for
constituted authority. or less toll
eranee for liberty regulated by
law, than today. This feeling Of
disrespect and contempt for all
authority raises Its venomous
head among US every day and few
among us raise a voice Of protest.
Even those In authority either ap-
pluud the disrespeCt shown TO
them and the authority which they
are supposed TO uphold. or cover
before IL.
who among US was not shamed
titled but glorified the act Of two
county officials OF this state for max
ing an unprOToked assault upon a
man whom they deemed g trouble
some intermeddler in the affairs OF
their county which perhaps he was,
county judge and constable OF that
county in heating him up and running
him out OF the county.
Only day or two ago. the COVER
nor Of oklahoma not only justified
but applauded the acts Of an audience
in Ardmore, because they had egEed
United States senator off the plat
form because they did not agree with
the views that he was supposed TO in Z
tend 10 express.
In view OF this condition OF az
fairs, none among US, I believe. VIII
care 20 defend our present state Of
inaction, but viii say as IL is reported
Burk once said Applaud Us when
We run, console US when we fall. cheer I
US when we recover, but let US pass
on-for Gods sake. let US pass on
The Lawyers Duty.
As patriotic citizens trained in the
administration OF social order and
country from the social disorder and Z
ruin that is threatening It. because
every lawyer IS trained in the admin
istratiOn OF social justice and the I
preservation OF liberty regulated by /
law. In the second place. there is no |
other considerable body OF men who /
occupy the disinterested position that I
we do. Unlike the manufacture.
tradesman, miner or producer, we have I
no special interest 70 serve, and are I
not swayed or biased by self interest |
We are solely interested in the pres
ervatlOn OF free government, admins l
tered for the common benefit Of all, to I
the end that exact social Justice may I
be meted out 20 all. as near as human I
limitations will permit
Lawyers and common law and ]
equity judges have shaped and fash I
Toned the rules OF social justice under ]
which the Anglo Saxon people have {
grown great and enjoyed the greatest [
measure OF liberty compatible with the |
common good under which complete ]
justice among the different orders Of /
society have been more nearly OBJ ]
tanned than under any other scheme I
Of social order or government devised /
by man.
Trying to Wreck BuIWark.
when the masses or the public are
once taught that the same system 4
which they now hold IN contempt, and I
which they are seeking 10 destroy,