Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-09
SAM JONES' LETTER.
The Great Preacher Writes on the
 Qualities of the Model Judge. .slsiEsSiN. 5.gl.Sxs
Havtng Sound Judicial Mind end Undef- standing Thoroughly the Principles Of
 Law, He Must Be a Man of Deepest Integrity and Judgment.
IcoPYRIGHr, is94.l

This article shall be devoted to B model judge. There Is no character more to be desired, and none of more lincalculable value than that of the model judge. Judges, like poets, are born to their task. There are some qualities which must enter into his character that others might get along without. The first characteristic of model judge is the fact that he is model lawyer, and not only knows the law as practitioner in the courts, but who understands thoroughly the great principles of law.
 We have what we call case lawyers, and frequently they get to be judges. This is perhaps unfortunate, not only for him, but the people to whom he ministers his calling. The case lawyer gets much from absorption and is superficial in the very nature of the case, but he who understands the great principles of law has the first element of the model judge.
 The next element In his character his. power of discernment Is well de- veloped Justice is a word that rests upon his mind and conscience by day and by night. The scales evenly bal anced are but the emblem of his life work. With wise discernment he not only has deep insight into all ques- tions brought before him, but he sees all sides of the question, all parts of the case and understands it's relation towards the other. In other words, he gathers up the whole matter before him, analyses, separates and then puts every part together again in right re- lation and in perfect harmony.
 Another element in model judge is absolute freedom from prejudice. Prejudice can have no place in the mind and heart of model judge The very word itself, prejudice, is offensive to him. Like the balances, they are free and devoid of everything except the substancs Sseshed therein. He, with miI sithout thought and a purpose<p puts both sides of the ques- ten izko the scales and weighs them according to their weight Thus left free, 1t Is as natural for him to plum the line as 1t Is for the sun to shine by the day or the moon by night. With out favor to aSy, with prejudice against no one, he sits and judges of all matters presen ted to him.
 The model judge has large measure of executive ability. The machinery of our courts to run smoothly and eff fectiyely and with despatch requires man with large administrative abil- ity; the lawyer, the jury, and the sher- if, in fact all attaches of his court move at his bidding with the regular ity and quiet of the old familiar clock at home.
 The model judge shows the force of his character no where else more clearly than in the management of the lawyers who practice at luis bar. The lawyers respect such judge; not only that, but they admire him. Billin- gates, vituberation, fuss and feathers, they have found out won't go with a judge like this, and all parties con nected with the court understand that they must plum the line or hit the grit
 With the machinery in good running order in his courtroom everything runs smoothly and business is turned off rapidly.
 Again, the model judge Is urpur- chasable and charlottesville. He can not be approached by threats, he cannot be intimidated by fuss. With clear discernment of his duty he dis charges it.
 The model judge Is not sympa- thetic man. Sympathy and mercy are but twin brothers. Justice and judg- mcnt are twin brothers. It is said that Justice ought to be tempered with mercy, but generally the judge tenn pers mercy with a little justice.
 The judge who only sees the crim- iual's wife and children and hears their pleadings and that of the criminal himself, is not fit to sit on any bench; but the model judge looks at the crime committed-a crime against God, crime against law, a crimo against so- ciety-and knows that the protection of society and the maintenance of law and order depends upon the punish ment of the criminals and prompt administration of the law.
 As in all other professions the model judge is a model man. A red-nosed judge is disgrace to any bench. A man who drinks whisky is not fit to preside over any court. An old swill tub as judge, an old beer soaker meting out justice, is traversity on the whole business. A gambler and @ libertine is not fit to preside over any court He who violates the law should suffer the penalty of wearing tho stripes in prison rather than soiling the ermine and disgracing the calling of a judge. Pure and clean and upright in his own character and with his own personal life rebulse to all offenders in this he Is model judge.
 4 model judge is a man of broad in- formation. He has read and thought on all lines, he is also much htrayeled man. a man who is in touch with hu-