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Show H ' DISTRICT JUDGE MAND AMUSED. HM The mnndnimising of Judge N. J. Harris of Ogden by the su- mmM ) preme court of this state, owing to the failure of the judge to render H ' a decision within the time prescribed by law, calls attention to one mm of the weaknesses of our judicial system. Judges have held cases mm in court until the litigants, growing weary, have almost despaired. H . , A judge can neglect his duties to the limit of endurance on the part H i of those involved, in lawsuit and yet there is no recourse unless this H i new move by the supreme court offers a remedy. H ' No wonder the Progressives, answering the demand of those who H ' have felt the unjust oppressions of the courts, have asked for the H recall as a means of forcing careless, corrupt, or indifferent judges mmk to do right or get off the bench. W , There is some doubt expressed by the Salt Lake Tribune as to H ); ' whether the Utah law requiring judges to render decisions within M ' a reasonable lime is mandatory. That paper says: M I , "The hearing on this mandamus is to be on Saturday next, and H ' ! the developments may prove interesting. If it is true that we have H in this state a statue requiring judges to render their judgment with- H in thirty days after the final hearing, as the claim is, and if this is H ' construed to be a direct and mandatory statue, remedies, though H ji somewhat roundabout and expensive, are clearly available under the H ; statutes of our state for undue delay in the courts. H !' "At the same time, it must be admitted that the existence of H such a statute as this has been practically forgotten, not only by the H "bar and the public, but by the courts. If, indeed, it is a clear case H that district fudges are required to render their decisions within H ' thirty days from the time of the final submission of the case, then) M r ' J there ought to be in Utah less reason for complaint with respect 10 delays in the final judgments of the district courts than in slates which lack such a statute as this. But doubtless the whole matter will be sifted to the bottom in the hearing to be had on Saturday next, and then wc shall all have a better understanding of what the legal status is of court delays in this slate. If the statute is found1 to be direct and mandatory, there will be no excuse for district judges who unduly delay their decisions hereafter. But if it is not so found, if some technical or t rival excuse may exempt a district, judge from the requirement that he must render his decision within thirty days after the final submission of the case, then wc shall be all at sea again just the same as before, with the same old interminable intermin-able delays to face." Under the recall, if a judge failed to do his full duty and repeatedly re-peatedly had to be ordered by the supreme court of the state to the diligent in the exercise of his judicial functions, he would be presented present-ed to the voters as no longer worthy to hold his high office, and tho people, no doubt, would recall him. And that is as it should be. |