The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-10


give his evidence in Welsh at the
1teaumaris Assizes has stirred up uni
versal Indignation. Welsh papers to
hand The Herald Cymraeg, comment
ing upon the "impudence" and the in
justice" displayed by the judge, de-
clares, "Nor are we ourselves without
fault. Our fault as Welshmen is that
we tolerate such actions. Were Ger
man justice guilty of such actions In
Hungary of Bohemia, 1t Is doubtful
whether his life would be safe in jour
neying home from the court. In Be
eumaris the witness did not insist up
on his right, but cowed like whipped
dog. The Welsh barrister, too, in
stead of standing up fiercely and per-
9inaciously for the rights of his coun-
trymen, contented himself with mild
and velvety protest. Of which the John
Bull that sat on the bench took the
slightest notice"
SHOULD DEMAND JUSTICE.
The Herald continues: Whit will
our miners do? Are they too much in
fear Of the judges, or too anxious for
promotion to the bench, to create
commotion in the House of Commons,
even if it became necessary to sus-
pend them once or twice?
The truth is, we want something more
than a mere verbal protest, the effect
of which at best would be short-lived
The time has come when we should
demand perfect justice in the courts
the same fair play as is conceded to
the Hindoos in India, the French in
Canada, and the Dutch in South At
RIGA" The Genedl Cymreig declares
that the incident has aroused in the
breast of every Cymro the feeling that
the nation has been wounded and the
conviction that there must be strong
protest against the great injustice that
the country has been quietly tolerating
all through the years. Justice can
never be satisfactorily administered in
the courts of Wales until judges are
appointed who understand the lam
guage of Wales" Continuing, the
Genedl argues that it was no disgrace
to the witness that he knew no Eng
lish, The disgrace was his lordshp's
in that he knew not the language of
the witness. for the court sat in the
witnesses own country, and not in the
judges country. ''The simple truth
! is it goes on, that no one has a right
to sit in judgment upon any people un-
less he understands their language, and
no judge should be tolerated in Wales
who cannot understand the people of
Wales when they tender evidence in
their own tongue"
SHOULD REFUSE TO TESTIFY.
'The Beaumaris incident" states the
Cymro, was a fair though somewhat
old-fashioned, sample of the customary
arrogance of the official Saxon" and
ooour contemporary only regret is that
the witness did not persist in his re-
fusal to give evidence in a language in
which he was not well conversant and
so dare his lordship to commit him for
contempt of court. THE laws of Eng
land,' continues the Cymro, "extends
over many nations; but the Welsh, SO
far as we know, are the only people
who are refused the right to tender
their evidence in their own language.
The chief reason for this is the SER
Witty of Welshmen themselves. They
must demonstrate to Justice Ridley
and every other official, that he is the
servant, not they Possibly Sir Ed
ward Ridley is brilliant lawyer, but
1t is doubtful whether he has been en-
dowed with much common sense or to
the good nature of a gentleman"
LAW MUST BE CHANGED.
The GWalia Conservative regards
the incident as unfortunate" and de-
clares that no one with any regard for
justice can condemn 1.-The many hard
and strong words that will be used to
desribe it," The Gwalia strongly con-
dennis his Lordship, and points out
that his action was all the more uncall-
ed for seeing that there were pres
ent in the court very many people who
could have acted as interpreters. 'If
the Jaw as 1t stands" continues the
Gwalia, supports Sir Edward Ridley,
and compels the Weshman to give
his evidence in a language of which
ne knows nothing. then by all means
IL must be changed so as to allow a
witness 10 choose his own language,
ana not allow the question to be de-
cided by any individual Judge" Mr..
Justice Ridley is brother of the Tory
home secretary, and the Gwalia there
fore fears that the incident will be
seized upon and utilized for party pur-
poses.'
''The foolish and ill-advised' action
of the judge" says the Tartan. "has
aroused the country from end to end;
all parties and people of all countries
unite in condemning it, We
scarcely believe that he intended to in
suit the nation, but had he considered
but moment he must have seen that
that was the effect of his conduct. and
the nation has
FELT THE INSULT TO THE QUICK.
Surely no Welshman should be under
any disadvantage in Wales because of
his language. The incident cam
not be passed over unnoticed. 1t must
be dealt with publicly, and the sooner
the better. We are sure our members of
parliament will take up the matter.
And it is high time for us to agitate
for having in Wales judges CONVEX
SAINT with Welsh, There is no reason
that a nation should be iusulted by
judges who are strangers, and who
not what they say. We contend
that the action of Justice Ridley is
ample reason why we should demand
the appointment Of special judges for
Wales"
The Scren (B) also refers to the
matter in equally vigorous terms.
1t goes to show that the sons of
sturdy old Gwalla are awakening to a
sense of their carelessness, if that be
the word. More such incidents as the