The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-27
THE PARNELLITE JUDGES.
THEIR DECISIONS WILL AFFECT IRE.
LANDS FUTURE.
I. F. o'Connor Describes the Justices
Who Compose the Political Commits
sion-A Trio of Prejudiced Tories
Mr.. o'Brien's ross-Bxamination.

LONDON, May 26.-T. p. OConnor, the
well-known correspondent, writes as fol-
lows regarding the court that is not only
investigating the Parnelites, bat also
forming a decision that will affect the fu-
ture of Ireland:
1T is usual in all cases to have the
members OF the tribunal chosen by mu.
tual agreement. But Attorney. General
Webster acted in this as in every other
way with the trickery OF pettiiogging
attorney. He was asked by Sir Charles
Russell to give the names of the Judges
beforehand, so that the leaders of the
Liberal party might have a word to say
with regard to at least one of the Judges.
Webster promised reply, but never gave
1t; and so it came to pass that every single
one OF the judges is an enemy to home
rule.
"Sir James Hammer, the President of
the Tribunal, is not unknown in America.
Some years ago he made q tour through
your country, and, among other conces
sions to transatlantic feeling, allowed him
self to be interviewed ON the question of
divorce--a subject with which nearly
twenty years OF the divorce courts in this
country must have made him familiar. He
has round face, closely shaven; heavy
jaws and overhanging cyebrows-in short,
just the type OF face that one always asso.
clates with the typical English Judge. In
political opinion he is known rs strong
unlonist Undoubtedly ii he pronounces
IN favor OF the Irish party it will be by
mastering his own strong prcjudiccs and
preposscssions. lie has yllainous and
most uniudicial temper This is partly due
to his i'll health, for he suffers from IN in.
ternal malady that Is very trying 10 his
temper. am bound 10 say, with every
disposition tc do him justice, that up to
the present his irctlulness seems TO have
been inflicted good deal more upon the
side OF the Irish party than upon that of
the Government. But even his temper
does not put down Sir Charles Russell.
"One OF the secrets OF the success Of
this extraordinary advocate is that he has
moro than usual allowance OF that
strong, hard, gritty nature which belongs
TO the FISHERMAN - both Catholic and
Protestant. Most OF the Judges with us
are inferior to the leading men OF the bar.
The salary OF Judges Is handsome. the
lowest being S2j, 900 n year, but this is a
small income compared with that which
our great lawyers earn. Russell. for in.
stance, must make ut least $1,000 wear.
The result Of this disproportion is that the
men who want TO get judgrshlps are not
the best nor even the second best. but
the third-ratc men. Here the Attorney.
General has drudge who makes up his
eases, masters the fact, in short. all the
detail OF the work. The Attornev-Gen.
eral, remaining nj the bar, has to address
the subordinate ut whom ho formerly per.
haps sworc. with all the outward air OF
the most profound respect and all the
time is cursing in his heart the promoted
inferior who gives himself such airs. Sir
Charles Russell does not sometimes make
any concvalmcnt OF his contempt Tor the
inferior persons whom lac has To address
"Mr. Justice Smith, who is one OF the
commissioners aud who was once Attorney
Generals devil, has this mingled feeling
Of hatred aud dread Tor Russell; and Ger
tainly he seems TO take every opportunity
OF scoring point against him.
AS TO the third Judge. Il is hard To say
what hc thinks. From The very start OF
the proceedings he has never once opened
his lips. Mr.. Justice Day, rs your tcaneIs
know, is an English Catholic; aud English
Catholics, curiousy enough, ar often the
most bitter enemies ol the Irish cause.
lie has the reputation Of being Tory 81
very violent kind. llc isa man with a
very keen sense Of humor and occasionally
lac has been unable 10 conceal his sense OF
the ridiculous. When Pigott was giving
his evidence Judge Day almost rolled ON
his seat rs the poor wretch involved him
self in contradiction after contradiction
until the whole court laughed In sympathy
with the Judge.
such is the tribunal which will have a
certain share IN making the future OF Ire.
land. There is feeling that the contrast
In the decisions Of the Judges with regard
10 the evidence OF the inns aud the eva.
dcncc for the defense may impose the
throwing up Of the case by the counsel for
Parnel."