The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-11

through. BY sheer force of brain and
ability he won his way, step by step, TO the
lofty height of his later years. Lord Rus
sell was made a peer by the Queen and adj
yanced TO the highest judicial place on the
earth just because he had the stuff in him.
His intense Irish-nay anti-English-senti-
ments did not stand in his way. Lord Rus
sci was Parnelrs "outside man." as they
say over there. That is, he was the great
patriots adviser. The English felt the
force of his ability directed against them
selves, recognized talent when they found
Ii even in a Roman Catholic lrishman,
and made him lord chief justice. Sir
Charles gave up a law practice OF $4,000
a year to take a place on the bench at less
than half that income. He was born in
Newry at Seafield House, Rostrevor, edu-
Gated at Trinity. Dublin. and going to Lon
don, swept all before him in the law
courts. Great Britain's most profound law
yer was a jovial, happy, sunny man, who
loved a laugh, and who was fond of open
air exercise. When Lord Russell was at
the bar 1t is said that he was the most
terrible cross-examiner in all Fleet street.
He was admitted upon all hands to be the
most eloquent and stirring orator in the
United Kingdom, and his speeches are
classic.
The biggest fortunes in the legal pro-
fession in England are usually made by
the men who practice before parliament
tary committees. But they work out of
sight of the public eye, and very few men
even know their names. Baron Russell
probably mad a bigger fortune than any
CR.aN $500 1871
His average income was $150.00 a year.
In one famous murder trial it was cal
culated that his time was worth SIS a
minute. He never spared himself. No
amount of work seemed to tell on him
After a heavy day in the law courts he
would, as often as not, attend to his par
liamentary duties, or run down into the
provinces to address a great political meet
ing.
There was only one opinion in 1884 as
TO who should succeed Lord Coleridge as
chief justice. His feeble health had thrown
the business of the court behindhand, and
the irregular sittings, the vexatious de-
lays, and the grievious unpunctuality Of
"the chief" were becoming a positive scan
changes in procedure which Lord Russell
introduced immensely added to his pop
| ularity among the bar and public.
| In 1896 Lord Russell came TO this coun-
try to attend the conference of the Amer
lean Bar Association at Saratoga. He de-
livered an address there on International
arbitration.
His great speeches were all prepared be-
fore he yer into court, although he was
an excellent impromptu speaker. He had
what is called an excellent House of Com
mons manner. He was quick at grasping
a point and knew how to take every ad-
vantage of parliamentary tactics. He was
| always in demand at Liberal meetings. and
he turned away enough law business to
give him a fortune If he could do the work
every year. He was petted and pampered
confreres, even the young men. for whom
he had always a pleasant word and a
smile. He was chief ounsel for Mrs. May
brick when that unfortunate American was
on trial, and always took a warm inter-
est in the efforts for her release.