The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-05-11
JUDGES, SALARY BILL.


Mr.. Speaker, am very sorry to hear thai
tile learned gentleman from Mercer Jack.
son has never been inside of a courthouse
in the city of Philadelphia. ! am inclined
to think that if he had been in those court
houses oftener his opinion Of the abiltie;
| and duties of the judges would be consider
hbly augmented in theft favor. Neither dc
| know how often the gentleman from Mer-
Ger has practiced in the courthouse in the
county of Mercer, although suppose in that
county he has a very large practice. How
ever am bound to dissent from his opin-
ion in regard to the salaries of the judges of
this commonwealth. propose, if the House
| will give the their attention for a few mo-
ments, to give some of the reasons why this
bill should pass with the amendments made
| by the gentleman from Philadelphia [Os-
bournl. l want to say here to the friends
of the bill that this bill has received careful
consideration not only in the the session of
| 1878, but it was under consideration during
the entire session of 1877. The amendment
which the gentleman from Philadelphia has
offered, and which was adopted by this
House, expresses fully the sentiments of the
friends of the bill, and no other amendments
should be admitted at this time, for they are
offered for the purpose of defeating and kill
ing the BILL because it has received the most
earnest and careful attention in its present
shape. Therefore | trust that the motion to
indefinitely postpone this bill will not pre-
vail and when that motion shall have been
disposed of, 1 hope that the amendment of
the gentleman from Lawrence Morgan
will be voted down, and that the bill will
then pass as amended by the gentleman
from Philadelphia [Osbourn.l
The bill now before us is one of consider
able importance, because the constitution of
the commonwealth provides that the salar-
les which we now fix for the judges of the
several judicial districts must remain as we
fix them during the terms of office for which
they are severally elected. Therefore it is
well to act carefully and with due consider
alton. The judiciary is, in my opinion, the
most important and dgnifed branch of our
government. 1t is to the judges Of our courts
that we trustingly look for the protection of
our lives, liberties and property. 1t is from
them that we are sure TO obtain recognition
of those inalienable rights in times of COM
motion and public tumult. We know by
experience that we can hopefully look to
the judges of our courts for even handed |
justice, though fear, hatred, prejudice, and |
passion, rule the hour. If ever the judges |
of our courts should become corrupt and |
reckless in the administration of their high |
trusts and responsibilities, then the star of |
ourlberties would soon be lost in the gloom |
of eternal night, and chaos, revolution, and |
would step in the place of order, |
peace, prosperity, and happiness. 1t may |
be Unnecessary for me to call the attention |
of gentlemen who occupy seats upon this !
floor to the importance Of the judicial /.
branch of our government, or TO the ncces-
sty on our part to provide for them be-
coming compensation for their services, or
to do all in our power to maintain the high
est standard in our courts for honesty, in
tegrity, and learning,-virtues which have
ever been the glory of the Judiciary of the
of Pennsylvania. Their
virtues, learning, and fame have extended
beneficent and influential sway far beyond
the boundaries of the commonwealth and
beyond the seas. 1t is a pardonable pride
in which every Pennsylvania may Justly
delight, In this connection will say, with
some reluctance, that there Is an unfair and
unreasonable prejudice in the minds of some
people against lawyers, judges, and every
Thing that apDertans to the law. | trust,
however, that there is no gentleman upon
this floor so bigoted and narrow minded
That he would condemn lawyers and Judges
Is a class, because of the shortcomings of
-he few. There are shining characters, and
many of them among the judges and law
yers of this commonwealth, whose lives and
characters it is delight and profit to study
md contemplate,-of whom we may truth
'ully say with the poet;
Untainted by the guilty bribe,
Uncursed amidst the harpy tribe,
No Orphans cry to wound
My honor and my conscience clear;
Thus may I calmly meet my end,
H., IL. t.. L I
Now, sir, there are those who do not seem
o comprehend the duties and responsible
les which are ever imposed upon Judges
md lawyers. There are those who do not
lppear 10 understand how judges and law
'ers can see that person charged with an
,tiense gets the benefit of the law in due
orm without shielding the guilty or wrong
loer. 1t is sufficient to say that there is a
lear and broad distinction between defend
ng crime and defending person who may
happen 10 be charged with crime.
But human nature is not always consist
mt and discriminating, and will very likely
eman so for some time to come, until there
5 some remarkable change wrought in the
nature and instincts of the great and mys-
erious human family. Even the ordinary
bserver often finds that those persons who
make the greatest parade of their honesty,
ellglony ana virtues neeu the most careful | /
OF course there are unworthy
nd disreputable men in every profession.
hey may be found among the clergy, law
ers, doctors, and in every other avocation
f life. This has always been so. A nota-
lie and ever memorable illustration of this
act may with advantage be CLEANED from
acred history. When the Savior of man
lind selected his twelve apostles, more than
ighteen centuries ago, with all his infinite
Dve and knowledge, he nevertheless got,
mong so small and select number, a
udas, who betrayed Him, and a Peter, who
enied him.
But need not occupy your time in am. ;;
lifying; nor do the judges and lawyers !
eed any eulogy at my handsj their lives,
haracters, and deeds will speak for them
elves; those that are worthy, noble, and
rue will live in history in generations yet
D come, long after we shall have passed
way. If | am correct in my views, which
have already briefly indicated, it seems TO
ne that we ought all agree that the Judges
{ our courts should be well provided for,
Q that they may be independent, free, and