The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-03-10
AN OPEN Letter

The BlellNlllc bCAoe p, ~ m,
I please allow me space in your CO..
INNS TO comment briefly on one OF Tue
subject that will probably come pe
fora the Constitutional Convention no"
in session. .;,+o,+ on
determined effort on the part OF som 1
of tho legal fraternity to completely rev.
o,utionize the whole judiciary system
II the State by topping off at one enc
and frightening at the other, put II
shuffling the cards it is proposed u
law an additional burden OF man!
thousands of dollars in taxes on the
,jready tax burdened people.
Among the changes proposed Is tn'
total abolition Of the Office OF justice
# the Peace, the least expensive to tne u,
State and the most cOnvenlelH OF al
fhe courts, especially in the rural dls
This subject prominently before th1
last constitutional Convention, and tn
politicians, mainly of the legal fra,
ternity were loud in their ridicule and
den,nciation of this court, but in spite
If their sinister attacks it survived,
TO a layman the only apparent 4ene
fit TO be derived from the change WOULD
be- in the interest Of the lawyers, as II
would put more business in thell
hands and it would be more conven
lent to transact their bushes in a Of
fee near the courthouse, than in Justice
Courts in remote rural districts.
The question resolves itself into
| whether the Courts shall be organized
and Justice administered for the con-
| yenience and benefit Of the people or
the lawyers.
This court has come down to US
venerable through the ages Of Anglo
Saxon history, coeval with the times OF
Alfred the Great. Commended by
Blackstone, the greatest commentator
on common law, as the court OF the
people that brings justice to their very
doors, It would be most 'inOpportune
at this time for a convention framing
an organic law to ignore the trend OF
world though in opposition to central
ization of power, around State capitols
| and country courthouses, the meeting
| places of Rings and Political Gangsters
It is to be hoped that the sober, con
| sentative element will dominate the
convention and put, not only thf
courts. but the common schools more
| in touch with the people.
| 1t is urged by those who wish t
abolish the Justice Courts, that a large
Der cent of the Justices are not quail
Ified for the limited duties required o.
| them and this may be true, but 1t doe:
| not justify the contention that the OF
flee should be abolished. 1t rather N
licates that the law under which tn
office is created discredits competenc!
and invites mediocrity or even ignor
ance by the lack Of dignity and per
ouisites attached to it. Raise the quail
ications; broaden the Jurisdiction; in
crease the original Jurisdiction make
a court Of final resort in certain spec
!. fed amounts; allow litigants a jur
when they demand one.
These changes will inevitably COME
) more dignity and responsibility and II
stead of being the jest Of the lawyer
!, and travesty Jurisprudence It will con
mand the respect and confidence OF tn
I people.
A Justice Court is usually and ofte
|. the only place where the youth come
{ in contact with the administration {
+ Justice. There his ideas Of civil right
ri are inculcated and bis respect or COZ
tempt for law and order originate.
i 1t would seem the part OF VII
e'I craftsmanship to foster these CIV
|, schools, and make them more accesib
!, to the masses Of the people clothe the
r with such ample dignity and pc
8 auisites that citizens qualified to di
), charge the duties could afford to +
S, the office.
70 The convention should at least hes
. tate to lay iconoclastic hands on th
\ ancient institution If there is to
20 no referendum of it's work.
Vi e. NJ. CORY,
IS Ringgold, La, March 3, 1921.