Sentence:  So a Canadian who did not happen to know better might exclaim, Why, what's the use of a Senate and House of Representatives or House of Assembly, when their hands are tied by the letter which killeth, when they cannot even “boss” a court? What kind of a country is it where no matter how offensive and discreditable a government may be, you cannot get rid of it till a time fixed beyond control? What a paper-governed, <WSD>court-ridden</WSD> country! 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Dominated or overly influenced by the judiciary.