Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-13
ENGLISH COURTS AND BAR.

Rx-Miaisser Edward '. Phelps Lee.
 sures Upon English Jurlsdicsion se
 . Large Audience - Some of our
 Courts Superior to she EnEllsh.
 The common pleas court room was filled to ovsrfowing last evening at the lecture de- livered by the Hon. Edward J. Phelps, ex- minister to the court of St. James, upon "English Courts and Bar," before the Yale Kent club. The popularity of this speaker was fully astested by the prolonged applause that greeted him when introduced by Mir. Keerans, president of the club. MT. Phelps' opening remarks, that hs was afraid the sub- ject would not prove interesting or instruo- tive except to those specially interested in the matter, were emphstioally refuted by the wrapt attention with which he was listened to from beginning to end.
 He stated that for him there was no sub. ject that was of greater interest, or that pre- sentsd more attractions during his residence In England than the study of its legal insti- tutions. The best thing in Great Britain, said he, Is it's administration of justice, and by this nothing is meant in the way of de- traction from her other institutions. But whom . man returns home to his native coun- try from abroad and does not think his own institutions are the bsst then itis probable that he has never had or availed himself of the opportunity of studying them thoroughly. theirs and we are continually making ad- vances.
 The speaker followed with e description of the English courts and then past and present divisions. The high court judiciary now Alls tha place formerly occupied for the queens bench, courts of exchequer and com- mon pleas together. The number of judges who sit habitually on the English bench arc thirty-two although there are some others who do not como under this enumeration, as, for example tho members of the judicial committee of the prify council who are ex- olusively devoted in listening to appeals from the colonies. The judges on the English bench are composed of the highest legal talent in the country. They arc appointed by the administration in power whenever a vacancy occurs, but nc party influence Is brought to bear, though the appointments are made by . political party. 1t would be ruinous to the reputation of any English gentleman, no matter in wha, position, to even hint that he would like [ position on the bench. Therefore the gov ernmsnt always has the best men of the pro fession at its command. It feels ct liberty tt call upon any for that position with the pos sible exceptions of some few prs-eminentl, brilliant men who would only be called upor to aecspt the lord chanoellorship, lord chic | justiceship or master of robe. Except ing such cases as these, the government can always demand any and most always thu choice may be regarded e the ono that ough
 to have been made. The judges are ap pointed for life and do not retire ct any par ticular age. Some at the present time sr
 over eighty years of age. When compelled
 by diseass or age to cease duties they ar
 pensionsd by the government. The loves
 salary pain is f6, 900, to the courts of appeal
 E25, ,000, masters of robes a30, 900, lord chic
 justice f4O, 900 and to the lord chanoello
 E50, 900. The office Is one of great dignity
 for behind it is the weight and power of