The remedy for it rests very much within the power
of the courts. No continuance, by the mere stipula-
tion or consent of the attorneys,' should be allowed,
and none should be granted by the court, without a
proper showing of a good and valid reason therefor.
The court should insist upon a compliance with the
laws limiting the time within which the successive
steps necessary to bring a case to trial shall be taken ;
and if this is not done, the case, if the attorney of the
plaintiff is at fault, should be dismissed ; while, if the
fault lies with the attorney for the defense, default
should be entered against his client, and the case pro-
ceeded with. If the laws do not authorize such ac-
tion by the court, the law should be amended and the



76 JURIDICAL REFORM

power given. The judges seem to forget that they
owe a duty to the public, to enforce prompt and speedy
action on the part of lawyers and all officers of the
court, themselves included.
