The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-11-28
[Salem Statesman Nov, III
DEDICATORIAL.
Remarks OF Judge BOnham ut the OPEN
Ing OF the Session, Defeating the New
Court House n Temple of Justice.


| Ing Of the Session, Defeating the New
Court House n Temple of Justice.
On the occasion of the assembling
of the Circuit Court at this its first
term after the completion of our mag
nifcent Court House, the following
beautiful and appropriate remarks
were made, by His Honor Judge Bon
ham, relative to its dedication, its beau
ties of architecture and the pride
which the citizens Of our county and
city should feel in the possession ofso
elegant temple of justice.
After proclamation by the Sheriff
declaring the Court in session in pur-
suance of the law the Judge presiding
said:
Before proceeding with the business
of the term desire to submit few
remarks which are suggested by our
present surroundings.
We are now occupying for the first
time our new Court House; and it is
with feelings of just pride that l con-
slider myself warranted in pronouncing
it the finest and best Court House
building in the State, and a credit to
Marion county and our beautiful Cap
ital City.
This building, I am informed, has
cost the county, including furniture
and other incidental expenses, about
100000. And while it is probably
true that a number of our good citi-
zens and heavy taxpayers have consid-
cred the building as unnecessarily ex-
pensive, (its cost being about two per
oent of the taxable property of the
county, yet l think when the subject
is impartially viewed in all it's bear
ings, and especially in the light Of the
prospects of our city and county for
the future, the taxpayers of Marion
county will cheertully contribute the
remaining portion OF the funds noces-
sary to liquidate the Indebtedness thus
incurred. This building is not only
adequate to the present wants of the
county, but if properly cared for and
preserved, will satisfy the wants and
ambition Of our people forseveral gen
erations to come.
And in this connection wish to ad-
monish the Sheriff, his deputies and
baliffs, the Clerk and his deputies and
all good citizens generally, TO lend
their aid toward the prevention ofthe
marring or defacing, in any manner, Of
the walls or furniture OF this building.
Such acts of vandalism are made Grim
inal by ourstatute and any and all per-
sons who are so wanton, and so reck-
less of the rights of the public, as to
commit the same, ought to, aud shall
be severely punished when found gull.
ty.
THIS edifice in all of its appoint
ments presents combination of ele-
gance and convenience which is high
ly commendable to our County Court
and to the architects under whose su-
pervision the work was designed and
executed
Upon the dome OF this building is
placed representation of the blind
goddess of Justice, and although as a
work ofartit may not be entirely per-
fectinpoint ofsculpture, yetitserves to
admonish us of the great cardinal idea
which should control judicial magis-
trates in the administration of justice.
Justice is represented as blind; which
signifies that courts OF justice and all
their auxiliaries which are in any way
concerned in the maintenance Of pub
lie and private rights and the punish
ment Of wrongs, should be blind to
every prejudice Of personal; Parti-
zan or sectarian character; blind to
fear, favor affection or hope Of re-
ward; blind to every consideration
whatsoever except the law and the
testimony as applicable to causes
which may arise tor trial and deter
mination.
In conclusion / desire to express
the earnest hope that the conduct and
demeanor of Bench and Bar, officers
of the Court and jurors, and all others
who have duties TO perform here, may
be such that this place may, by com
mon consent, become dedicated and
regarded as a Temple Of Justice, to
the end that the Constitution and
laws of our Commonwealth may be
maintained in their Just supremacy,
and the standard Of professional ex.
cellence elevated and digniAed.
On motion of g. w. Lawson, Esq,
the members OF the bar present re.
quested that the foregoing remarks be
spread upon the Journal ofthis Court,
and it was 80 ordered.