Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-17
Timely Views
CORRECTING THE LAWS I~NJUsrICEs

AH1 DRF -
(Charles Evans Hughes was born in Glens Falls,
\. r. in 1862. He studied at various universities
in the United States and abroad and was admitted to
the bar in 1854. He first practioed law in New York
City and in 1898 became professor of law ut Cor
nell university and lecturer at the New York Law
school. In 1906 he became assistant TO the u. s.
attorney general. He was nominated for mayor Of
New York City, but declined. He was elected gov
ernor of New York twice. in 1907 and 1909, but re-
signed in 1910 to become associate justice Of the
United States supreme court. He was nominated By
the republicans for president Of the United States in
1915, resigning as justice, but was defeated By
President Wilson. He served as secretary Of state
under Presidents Harding and Coolidge but in 1925
resigned again 70 enter private ~practice).
Who can deny the serious abuses that exist in the
administration Of justice. or the necessity Of our not
being content in repelling unfounded charges. but Of
making fresh efforts and finding new methods to obtain
every practicable measure Of relief? I say practicable
measure, for there arc fundamental difficulties arising
from social conditions which lie beyond the reach or
corrective means within our power.
These difficulties arc - serious that some arc in
elined to be cynically Indifferent to all proposals for i'm
~provement, while others are looking for direct roads to
the moon. We need the genius. the practical magma
tion and the efficiency Of engineers in our efforts.
One Of the most amusing delusions is that there
exists a powerful entity which could. II it would, put
into effect the particular plan or reform one has in
mind. But in truth there are strange contrasts in the
points Of view held by persons or high intelligence and
conspicuous influence.
Some, with great force Of reasoning. decry the an
achronism Of our jury system. with it's announcement
Of vain and tedious procedure, its. rough and ready de-
termination Of difficult questions, its frequently gro
tesque results. But as soon as il is proposed To DO
something to mitigate the evils Of such a method Of pro
cedure. which many Of our controversies reems hone
lessly inappropriate, we find a measure promoted in the
senate Of the United States designed 10 restrain such
authority as may now be enjoyed BY the judges in our
federal courts TO bring expert assistance 70 the aid Of
juries.
IL is difficult to understand how such a measure As
this could have obtained support. Apparently il has
~prospered through misapprehension and through a fail
ue to appreciate the value 70 the people Of this country
Of federal jurisdiction in these important classes Of
cases. The serious effect Of the passage Of such an act
should be made plain and ! ar glad to be informed that
not only lawyers, but organizations Of laymen through
out the country are alive 70 he injury that il would
inflict.
The situation shows quite clearly that we have 10 be
equally vigilsnt both 10 obtain needed reform in the ad-
ministration Of justice and to maintain without inju.
ricus impairment the facilities ue already enjoy.