The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-21
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND
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Inc AOILlAS ~
The Messenger to task, or rather pre-
tends to do so, for saying we coulo see
NO reason for the great opposition e1-
messed by some Of the newspapers Oh
the state to the proposition that our
supreme court justices should wear
gowns on the bench The POST De-
gina by saving we forget that all the
members of the supreme court except
one are democrats. We will REMIND
That paper of the political classlfca-
ton made by some one not long ago OF
the members of the supreme court. He
said the supreme court consisted OF two
democrats, one republican, n popullst
and Walter Clark. We will also remind
The Post, and we are sure it will agree
with us that among the dem
ocratic politicians. (the self constituted
leaders of the party) and editors there
are a great many demagogues who Will
take up any cry which they think will
please the masses and give themselves
the chance of securing a front seat in
the band wagon. It strikes US this is the
object in view Of many Of those editors
who are making such a howl about the
proposition of the State Bar Associa-
ton. and we think the same opinion on
the part Of The Post can be detected
by reading between the lines OF the ar
ticle above referred to and which we
print below
The Post and The Messenger have
generally agreed SO we'll on questions
of public interest that We hate to have
to take issue with it, but We must reg
lister a kick against its using an ex-
preston of opinion of ours as a means
for whacking at some n else.
Because former justices of our su-
preme court did not wear on the
bench is no reason why those OF the
present day should not. God forbid
that our present judges should pattern
in al things after those of prior courts.
some of whom are 10Y looked upon as
having brought great dignity and re-
nown to the supreme court bench of our
state. We're they now to do some things
those great jurists were guilty Of the
people of the state would be scandal
lied. For Instance; on n occasion
while two of the members of the SUI
preme court We're sitting at dinner IN
the old National hotel in Raleigh they
began discussing a case which had been
argued before the court that morning.
One Of them. who has still the reputa-
ton of being one Of the finest iurists
ever on the bench Of this or n other
state. become angered at the other for
d~isagreeins with him on a proposition
of law and put an end to the legal dis
eussion b. throwing a dish Of stewed
potatoes in the trace Of his associate.
These justices did not wear gowns.
Yes there are a heap of things besides
not wearing gowns hat these old judges
did which We would not like to see
their successors consider worthy Of imi-
tation.
The Posts article on The Messengers
innocent remark follows:
we are surprised at such obtuseness
in so intelligent a quarter. The Will
mington Messenger remarks.
I'VE do not see the reason in the
great outcry of the state press against
the proposition that u supreme court
justices should wear gowns on the
bench
"Our friend evidently forgets. only tor
the moment. surely. that this is a dem
ocratic government and a democratic
administration, all u one of the SUI
preme court being democrats, Of the
people and for the people. And thus
being, and knowing that I'VE the peo-
pie do not indulge in gowns while
working in our shops or cornfields or
while wormins tobacco it would be
manifestly uncomfortable for these
grave and learned judges to encum-
Der themselves with a pajama or any
thing like unto it while they work.
Now when they retire from their daily
labor for refreshment it is different.
We think, all of US, yea the severest
Stickler for strict observance of the good
every day customs of the democracy
Will lnSlSl, lndl At THIS Inne even Judges
should wear something, cali 1t a gown
or what not. 1t is true the judges Of
the supreme court of all the states IN
Guiding the islands attached and those
not yet attached, wrap the drapery of
their robes about them whenever they
appear in public on the bench. 1t may
be that it is to this undemocratic addic-
ton that is to be attributed the present
- 800
Judges in giving a hearing to the South
Dakota suit against this good old state
OF ours At all events they wear gowns,