The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-11

achievements were in cases where he was
pressed TO trial unexpectedly. His income
money, acting on Lord Bacon's aphorism
that money. like muck. is worth little I'M
less IT Is spread. His purse was always
culiarity Of his character was his unfailing
kindness to beginners. He seemed TO be
always looking for the newest arrival, ana
helped many a young mar 10 his first fees.
In one instance a lawyer came here TO set
tie. and had fortified himself with letters
bar. who curtiv told him there was 10
chance for him here. and that he ought TO
go 70 GreennciG Or Lebanon. by Sood IuCh
soon after this rebuff ne met Gordon, who
told him TO stick IL out here, and ne, did:
A year or two after. the beginner had got
q foothOld and Gordon was. greatly dS-
lighted TO see him tackle and floor the gen
teman who had given him the cold shoul-
der. There are still some hogs in the pro-
fession who, not content with having thslr
noses at the spout, try TO lie down III the
trough and crowd the runts away. as If
criticised for his egotism- He had a. good
share Of II. and he had a right 70 IL lie
pride in it-and albeit he was somewhat
given TO boasting, he always coupled 1t with
unstinted praise OF, his colleagues ana op-
poDents- In his addresses TO the jury he
was often dramatic. OF many. instances 1
will give two. A child four years
Mr.. AlvOrd was president of the company.
Gordon had consumed most OF the time al
lowed him in his opening speech; He was
AOAAO NEA ~ - a " AA[4HAA ACho anu
Oscar y. Hord, who had made a powerful
Impression on the jury. II have only FIVE
minutes to close. gentlemen of the jury"
said Gordon, and / will let my little client
make my speech" Then aking the little
girl tenderly in his arms, he threw back
her skirt and exhibited her manned limb,
walked back and forth before the jury I'M
til lawyers, jurors and Alvord himself we're
wtping the tears from their eyes. He got
a good verdict, and, going out from the
court room, Mr.. AlvOrd said, with an oath:
IF had been on that jury. Gordon, I
the amount" On another occasion he was
defending a woman who was charged with
larceny. As he progressed in his speech he
one seemed to have set his head for con-
viction- This juror he piled with argu-
ment and appeals for mercy, and at last
putting his hands on the Juror.
he exclaimed. with powerful pathos, Like
Jacob wrestling with the angel I Will not
The jurors chin quivered., his eye mois-
tened, and he was conquered. In the excess
of his zeal Gordon was guilty OF an imp-o-
prfety-an im~proprfety, / am sorry to hear,
torneyS without excuse. The paving Of q
juror or addressing him by name IS a
gross insult TO him and ought to be pun
fShed as a contempt OF court. Judge Chap
man made a rule against II when he pre-
sided in the Criminal Court, and Judge
Brown has fenced of the Circuit Court Jury
20 prevent indecent assaults upon them. In
their sphere as triers of a case the jurors
occupy a position OF dignity and Importance
equal to that OF the presiding Judge. What
would our Judges think Of an attorney who,
In the course OF an argument, should slap
them on the back and address them fanlil-
farly by their given names as Tom, Dick
or, Harry? / do not believe they would
tolerate il, even during the week before
election day. 1t is their duty. as it seems
to me. To protect jurors from this sort Of
indignity. w. p. FISHBACK.