The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1922-01-06
ATTORNEY-GENERAL TAKES
FLING AT MARY PICkFORD

Declaring 1t hardly likely that In the
history Of Jurisprudence there has
ever been "such a wanton and inexcus-
able attempt to create Jurisdiction In
divorce case" and nothing that op-
posing counsel has claimed other i'd
entical cases in the state but failed to
cite one, Attorney-Genera L. b. Fow-
ler filed the closing brief In the Mary
Pickford case In the state supreme
court Tuesday, says the Appeal.
BY stipulation of Fowler and At
torney Gray Mashburn, of counsel for
the motion picture star, January 80
was set at the date for argument
Admission of lack of residence of
Mary Pickofrd is claimed by the state
attorney to have been shown when the
actress fed to California imm mediately
after the divorce was granted.
1--WE have Observed the brief
which is signed by Fowler and Robert
Richards and Homer Mooney as his
deputies, states, with what indigna-
tion the institution of this proceeding
has been received by the distinguished
attorneys which SO noted client has
seen fit to retain. We have likewise
observed the extent of the mantle of
charity which her counsel have cast
over the multitude of her admitted
sins. We do not find her saying
through the voice of her counsel: /:
'Peccavi,' and asking the indulgent
consideration of the court of cbancery
jurisdiction descended from the cons
cienee of king and less mediately
from the cannons ecclesiastic. In
stead, we find respondent changing her
guise of an oratrix humbly complain
ing, to an abused litigant uttering the
historic Non serveat'
This attitude we regret and at the
same time We excuse it. Her status
in this case is assailed incidently, as
the primary object of this proceeding
is to brush aside false record sub
sisting in a court of record of this
state as perpetual memorial, affect
ing the sovereignty of the common
wealth, the integrity of its courts,
the administration of its laws, the
welfare of its society and the general
public good.
I'VE are able to understand respond
ent's attitude and make due allowance
for 1t, and thus dismiss 1t. We have
gone further and examined the con-
tentions of counsel, distinguishing
those cases which In their zeal and
energy, they have attempted to call to
their service, noting those mistaken
interpretations they have placed upon
our status, decisions, statements and
motives, and we have endeavored to
winnow out the grain of essential and
valid legal issues, and which all de-
tiles be applied to them, which all de-
termine the right of the people OF this
state to be sovereign In fact as we'll
as in name.
I'VE conceive that there is some
thing larger in this proceeding than
the mere solution OF governmental
and social problems through the in
strumentality Of the legislature. We
believe that whenever the harmonious
coordination of powers is so disturb
ed as to relegate the powers of the
executive and the judicial depart
ments to a place clearly subordinate
to those of the protection of the Con-
stitution and those who sway the
masses by sophistry or by even more
insidious influences according to their
wealth, distinction, or power, will be-
come despots of destruction.
Therefore, having these views, we
hold that this case is of paramount
Importance, as the rights of the peo-
pie represented by the state are ar
rayed in case where foreign citizens
and external influences have made
and are seeking to continue to make
the power of the law inert and the
sovereignty of the state and it's judi
ciary tool of and the prey for, fame,
prominence, and wealth."