Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-10-14

Bench and Bar Which Disprl the
Belief That the Erminc is a Wet
Blanket to Wit.
y. II. Rloomfcd in Portland Chronicle.
| was present in the courtroom,
about twenty years ago, at Olympia,
in the capacity OF District Attorney,
when the episode occurred between
Judge X. 5. Greene, presiding Judge
of the Second Judicial District OF the
Territory of Washington, and Judge
b. +. Dcnnison, the then leader Of
the Washington Bar, as to the pro-
nunciation of Browne which you
recently produced in the Chronicle.
Browne being the name OF the
author of n work on Insanity, which
Dennison was citing in an argument.
Dennison was very peculiar man
hat admittedly a good lawyer. Judge
Greene was hypercritical and analyti-
cal; lawyer OF culture and learning,
a scholar, scientific in education and
method.
Dennison had proverbiably persisted
in divorce cases in pronOuncing the
word "divorce" Qong sound of with
the emphasis on the first syllable) in
stead of dirorce (short sound of i with
the emphais on the last syllable). He
at last further outraged Judge
Greenes sense of grammar and
euphony by citing Browne (pronounc-
it B-r-o-w-n-e) on Insanity. Judge
Greene said:
"Jndge Dennison, do you call that
" Brownie" (final i-e). My name is
spelled Green e, would you call it
Greenie?"
"Well," says Dennison in sepul-
chral tone OF voice, with as much of a
smile as he was ever known to con-
struct, Yes; if you spell your name
that way, l would be disposed to call
you Greenie."
The story has been varied some
what though the true one loses none
of its point.
At the same term of the court an
amusing scene occurred. Hon. -
Brooks of San Francisco was arguing
the case of the steamer -- in Ad-
miralty. Our old friend Judge Strong
of Portland, who was proverbiably
witty, at the sacrifice Of times even of
his logic, was on the other side.
Strong was very large and heavy
man. He had just concluded an
argument in the case, in which Denni,
son was associated, when he (StrOng)
sat down on very rickety chair.
Brooks was sailing along quite elO-
quently and Strong had, as was his
habit, interjected some witticism, in a
side remark, at Brooks expense, when
bang went the chair and Strong
was seen fioundering in the sawdust
with which the floor was carpctcd."
Brooks placidly remarked, as he
turned and looked at him, "Well,"
your honor. as l was saying, when my
learned friend demonstrated the weak
ness of his position before this court
and broke down in his argument, etc
ETC." He then proceeded with his
argument anil the laughter of even
Strong himself, who with the assist
ance of friends was getting the saw.
dust out of his hair and ears.
On another occasion, DennisOn pre-
sented and argued a motiou to strike
from his adversary's pleading. There
! was actually no merit to it, and Den
nison, of course, knew it. Judge
Greene determined to punish him for
trifling with the court and to the sur
prise of the bar took it under advise
ment. Each morning for about a
week tie court would ann6iinced or
opening that the motion was still un-
der advisement, thus keeping Denni-
son dancing attendance on the court
after each adjournment. At last
Judge Greene announced, with as
sober and important an air as he
could assume, as follows:
"In the case of - vs.. --, the
counsel for defendant argued on last
Monday morning motion to strike
from the complaint. The court then
thought that there was merit to the
motion and took it under advisement,
believing from the we'll known ability
! of the counsel who presented it that
there must be merit in it, and l de.
termined to find it if possible. l have
since labored earnestly, fervently and
prayerfully with it. l am satisfied
that there is a point there" (Denni-
son by this time was bristling up with
unieigned surprise, interest and con-
fidencc), "but," continued the court,
it is like a figure in optics; the finer
the point the more point there is;
there is point here | am sure, but it
is SO fine that the court cannot see it,"
''Well," said Dennison in an en-
phatic manner as he arose, amid the
suppressed laughter OF the bar and
audience, | will file demurrer, then,
maybe the court can see the point in
that"
If a woman is fair that doesn't pre-
L f. -.