Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-03-31

BILE judiciary, Independent alike of
executive power or of popular clamor
or prejudice, and knowing no master
but the law and everlasting justice,
has long been recognized in every CIV
ilized country of the world, and to Sc
cure such judiciary and to place it in
position of entire independence has
been the purpose of many statutory
regulations. Hence, in the United
States the Justices of the Supreme
and other United States Courts hold
their Offices substantially for life. The
Judges of the English Courts, who pre-
vious TO \. d. 1000 held their Offices
merely at the pleasure of the King,
have for now nearly 200 wears been
substantially secure for life in their po-
sitions, and only removable on the adj
dress of both Houses of Parliament.
Prescott tells us in his history of Fer
dinand and Isabella that there were
repeated and brilliant examples in the
history Of Arragon of successful in
terposition on the part of the justices
for the protection of individuals who
We're prosecuted by the Crown, and in
utter defiance of every attempt at in
timidation That the kings of ARA
gon, chafed by this opposition, pro-
cured the deposition on more than one
occasion of the obnoxious judges. To
prevent this interference so subversive
of an independent discharge of the
| high judicial functions a statute was
passed as early as A. ID. 1442, making
the judicial Office one for life, and the
judge removable only for sufficient
cause, by the united action of the
| King and the Cortes. This is said to
be one of the most ancient precedents
in favor of the independence of the
judiciary, and favorably reflects on the
wisdom of the free States of Arragon.
Many other nations and States have
enacted these or similar provisions to
accomplish the same end, to-wit: long
terms of office, exemption from legal
responsibility for judicial acts, and
fixed salaries, which cannot be in
creased or diminished during their
terms Of Office. Many splendid exam
pies may be found scattered through
English history where incorruptible
and courageous judges and lawyers
have protected the people and their
liberties against the aggressions OF
kings, with an unyielding frmness
and fortitude worthy of all praise
And modern history shows but com
paratively few instances where the
! high duties intrusted to the judiciary
have been faithlesslv administered.
"But it is not possible for even an
able, industrious, learned, and incor-
ruptible judiciary to thoroughly and
efficiently perform its widely variant
and multitudinous duties without the
efficient aid which they are accustomed
to receive from the industry, the learn
ing, the tact and eloquence of the
members of the legal profession. No
profession in the world is superior in
dignity to it; none are habitually
called on to deal with subjects of more
absorbing or momentous interest, and
in no other profession has industry,
learning and genius so frequently sur
mounted all obstaclas of fate or fortune
and planted the shepherds crook be-
side the sceptre" 1t is of the highest
Importance in this profession that
there be at all times the most scrupu
lous honesty; the highest sense of
honor; the most unfailing faithfulness
to courts and clients; a courtesy and
chivalry that utterly scorns all mean
or unfair advantage over an opponent,
and culture as broad as the interests
of men, 1t has been said with some
truth that the sparks of all the sci
ences in the world are covered up in
the ashes of the law" and it is true to
remarkable degree that in the active
practice of the law, involving an al
most endless variety of questions and
controversies, there is scarcely any de-
partment of human learning or eXpe-
rience that may not be involved or
available.
''At the bar courage, tenacity, for
titude of the highest order are also
frequently necessary in the perfor-
nance of its highest duties. The
legal profession is no fit place for
weaklings, idlers, dawdlers, incompe-
tents, or frauds and in no profession
will such qualities sooner find and
everastingly retain their proper level.
Let all the avenues to the legal pro-
fession be jealously guarded against
their approach.
eff were not in this instance the
veriest slave of time, would like to
briefly recall the noble and conspicuous
part which lawyers in past times have
taken in all of the most eventful of the
great moral, political, and military
struggles of the world for liberty and
constitutional freedom. In all these
contests they have conspicuously been
the haters of oppression, the natural
foes of despotism, the knight-errants of
progress and the chivalry of civiliza-
ton; and in all of these grand con-
hicts they have garnered up for them
selves and the profession they have
graced and honored unlimited and un-
fading laurels and imperishable re-
nown. But | am admonished by the
faint shadow of frown which | fancy
| perceive gathering upon the brow Of
our accomplished and courteous Presi-
dent, that the brief time allotted to me
has already been more than exhausted,
so | will at once yield the floor to a
more eloquent tongue and more con-.
genial and delightful theme"
ACCORDING to the Western newspa-
pers the prospects of the winter wheat