The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-20
GUBERNAToRIAL IMPUDENCE.
THE SUBLIME HEIGHT OF GOV. TAYLoRi
CHEEK-CHIEF JUSTICE RYAN's REPLY.

THE SUBLIME HEIGHT OF GOV. TAYL0R'S
CHEEK-CHIEF JUSTICE RYAN's REPLY.
The Milwaukee Sentinel tells this story of
Gov. Taylor of that State: 1t is well known
that the Supreme Court Of this State rem
dered decision, some weeks ago. on the
railroad cases, granting injunction to
compel the railroad company to obey the
Potter law. This opinion of the court, pre-
pared with great care and most ably written
by the learned Chief Justice Ryan, was
deemed the most important document that
ever emanated from that court. The subject
under consideration was grave one, involv-
ing immense interests; and the case had
been argued before the courts for eight DAYS
by a large number of the ablest lawyers in
the West. 1t was proper that the lnvestiga-
ton should be thorough; and the distin-
guished chief justice, fully approaching
the situation, gave to the preparation ofthis
opinion much care and labor; and no man is
better able to do justice TO so grave sub
ject, than Judge Ryan. His reputation as a
jurist was at stake in the matter, and the
ability and learning exhibitedin this doc
ument fully prove that his reputation will
not suffer from this production. AS mat
ter of course, Judge Ryan was justly proud
of the effort, and had reason to expect the
State authorities would at once issue this
opinion in pamphlet form, for
sSa state Snt tbTSuvbo only tbe
country, for the subject matter decided was
of national importance. Days and weeks
passed, and the decision was not made pub
lie. 1t was rather long for the Madison pa
pers, though the Democrat did promise from
time to time to give it place, but did not do
it. To print it in pamphlet form would cost
money, and the longer the document the
more it would cost. Such were the grave
thoughts of our distinguished governor.
The Importance of the document was of no
consequence to him; his mind failed to
grasp anything beyond the few dollars it
would cost to print the opinion, After Sc
riously rejecting upon the subject for some
two weeks,
BRILLIANT IDEA
crept through the executive brain. To carry
out this brilliant conception the aid of the
very mild hammered gentleman who serves
as clerk in the Supreme Court was called
in, and to him was committed the execution
of grand conception. which could have
sprung from no other mind than that OF
Gov. Taylor. By the clerk be sent message
to Chief Justice Ryan, which, if IL had been
acceded to, would have reduced the cost of
printing the opinion at least One-half. With
great reluctance the worthy clerk proceeded
TO the consu tation room of the Supreme
Court. He finally approached the venerable
chief justice, and with faltering voice re-
marked that he had a message for him from
the governor. The kind old judge was all
attention, and bent forward to receive the
choice words from his chief. The
message was then delivered by the
clerk, as follows: "Mr. Chief Justice
Ryan: / am requested by his
excellency the governor to ask you to cut
down your opinion on the railroad cases to
about one-third or one-half of it's present
length" Imagine the surprise of the chief
justice To take two-thirds of his labor out
of that opinion was an idea too brilliant for
him to fully comprehend. With energy he
arose from his judicial seat, walked rapidly
back and forth through the room, and il
was several moments before he could give
expression to his feelings. In the mean
time, his associates, who are rather more
worldly minded than the chief justice, gave
themselves up to immoderate laughter. on
account of the agitated appearance of the
worthy head of the court and of the meek
look of the clerk. The laughter Of these
associates seemed to have the effect to calm
the feelings of the chief justice, and after q
| few moments he was able to speak, and, ap-
preaching the clerk said: 'Mr. Clerk, when
Gov. Taylor, or any other man, sends such a
| foolish message as that to me again, don't
you let me know it."