New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-09
LAW OFFICERSOFTHE GROWN
SIR CHARLES RUSSELI.-SIR RICHARD WEB
STER-LORD COLERIDGE
Westminster. September "a.


one of its developments brought 70 Sir Rich
ard Webster more notoriety than fame. The
Pigott case was at least Of public service IN
brighing into strong light the anomaly Of a con-
f1dential Minister Of Che Crown engaging upon mis-
oellaneOus business IN the law courts. II was
felt after that that possibility Of recurrence OF
such scandal should be prccuded Accordingly
when Mr.. Gladstone invited Sir Charles Russell
to accept the Attorney Gencralship and Mr. Rigby
to succeed Sir Edward Clarke Solicitor-Gen
eral it intimated, not that they should be
actually declared from private practice. but t4,e
character of the cases in Which they accepted
briefs should be narrowly limited. This means
for both eminent lawyers a considerable money
fine. The salary Of the Attorney General Is
1900 year, and that of the Solicitor-Gcneral
10000 1t is probable that Sir Charles Russells
earnings at the bar exceeded $4,000 year
while Mr.. Rigby's touched $4,000 They Will
be able even under the new Arrangement TO PICK
up odd thousand two in private practice
But their income will I've moderate compared with
the swollen returns Of their predecessors There
is, naturally, an inclination the part OF Co
lcitors concerned for large interests to brief
law officer Of the Crown Sir Richard Webster
and Sir Edward Clarke. generously yielding them
selves up to this tendency. must during their
term Of office have touched the highest point OIL
aggregate ices ever nOtcu III tnclI oooho' i"Vi'
successors nav find some moral satisfaction in
being party TO the Spartan regulations enforced
by the higher standpoint of a Liberal Govern
ment But even among lawers there is good
deal Of human nature. and their satisfaction can
not he wholly unmixed.
With respect 10 Sir Charles Russell the ar
rangcment is probably only a temporary one.
He had good reason TO look at time OF Lib
eral triumph for other reward than an appoint
ment which shonld materially dock his profess
sonal income. There is 10 man of his standing
and influence who worked more necessarily TO
bring about the conclusion that made possible
the appointment of Liberal Law Ohcers OF the
Crown. Before he put on wig and gown 10
plead a cause in any of the courts. Sir Charles
would require to have his brief marked with
very handsome figure. But when the days
work in court was done he was ever ready 70
proceed long distances TO attend some thlrd or
fourth rate political meeting freely giving his
powerful advocacy for the Liberal cause IL was
no uncommon thing to see him at the Reform
Club hastily eating a chop at some uncanny hour
in advance of dinner so that he might catch
train to bring him to some district meeting 10
speak in favor Of Liberal candidate
That by way of rccompense for priceless services
he should have the Attorney-Generalship conferred
upon him was matter in respect of which Sir
Charles did not at the time care 10 disguise his
resentment In bar circles il was understood that
quite another arrangement had been contcm-
plated. Sir Charles is we'll In the running Tor
the Lord CHARACTERISTIC, and the bringing for.
ward from the Liberal side Of a bill making
that post open TO Catholic was accepted as
\ sign OF preparedness On the Conservative side
the measure was known as the Charles Russell
Relief bill" II is by the way. one Of tho curl
osties Of English constitutional law that grave
doubt exists among high authorities whether such
bill is necessary. They affirm, and the position
is not holly contested on the other side. that
there is nothing in the state OF the law which
bars the Woolsack to Catholic Still, as there
was uncertainty on the point. it was felt desirable
TO have it removed by special enactment 1t will
be interesting to see whether the new Admins
traton will proceed with q measure they sup
ported when in opposition
But though Sir Charles Russell has well carmel
the reversion of the Lord CHARACTERISTIC and his
appointment would b. popular on all sides, there
was the insuperable difficulty Of the existence of
Lord Herschen When Mr. Gladstone returned
10 Office in February, 1886. pledged TO carry
Home Rule, lie found himself minus the col
leagueship Of Earl ScIbornc who bad been Lord
Chancellor in his former Administration. Sir
Henry James had also seeded, and thus by re-
nlarkcDe SIrcK" OF luck SIT fdrr"T TcTAN"FIi,
who had been Solicitor General with Sir Henry
james as Attorney, at bound reached the Wool
sack lie did very well during the brief time
fate permitted him to retain it. and fairly carmel
the right to return when Mr.. Gladstone cam" TO
his own again. Sir Charles Russell, therefore.
could not hope to DO Lord Chancellor. But there
was one other arrangement that se"m"1 feasible,
and thai his appointment TO the Lord Chief
Justiceshp Every concnrIcd in the hap
piness and appropriateness Of this arrangement
all but ono man. and as that happened 10 DO Lord
Coleridgc the obstacle proved nsuperable. While
the arair was being talked of at the Bar with
the assumption that it practically settled,
some keen observer damperci expectancy by Of
fering to lay odds that it would not com" on. he
had noted that, concurrently with whispers of
hia approaching retirement from the Bench, Lord
Coleridge began to assume sprucer air, TO pay
more attention to his personal appearance. end
10 affect a rouish young manner although truly
he has il not lie was. moreover observed -
abstain in marked degree from his custom Of an
afternoon Of sleeping the Bench. This last
Is little business in respect Of which Lori Cole
ridge has obtained high reputation for his skill
in managing il According to the testimony OF
the Bar most judges are prone to take nap in
the course of long case. For some years Lord
Colerdge permitted himself this luxury without
creating scandal. Tie Bar and the public at
the back Of the Court, watching him as he sat
immobile on the Bench might at certain mo-
mcnts suspect that he slept. But presently, even
while suspicion deepening into certainty. the
Lord Chief Justice, opening his eycs and smiling
swcctly counsel would in his silvery voice
address remark which showed such keen insight |
into the point counsel was arguing as TO stagger
people who. yielding to the testimony of their or
binary senses. had believed his lordship slept. 1t
was in $40 that Lord Cocridge became Lord |
Chief Justice OF England. ana according to rep |
utablc authority it was not tiIl the year 1887
that keen eyes flashing upon him from beneath |
the wigs in the row OF Junior counsel found him |
out. When the clew once given il was easy |
enough to follow il up. Lord Coleridge had his |