The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-10-15
Judges of
Our Courts


judges. It is to their interest to have
men Of the greatest integrity presid-
ing over our courts. It is not every
one who aspires to be a Judge who
is qualified for the position. There
Is no person in the community who
has a greater trust reposed in him
than the Judge. who is called upon to
decide cases in which not only money
matters are involved, but also the life
and liberties of the citizen.
A Judge to fill the requirements Of
his position, should be honest This
is one Of the first requisites of a judge.
II he is not honest, no matter what his
qualifications may be. he cannot at
tain the standing which is expected Of
him. Neither political or other mo
tiyes should swerve him from doing
his whole and undivided duty to the
people. To be thoroughly honest, he
should be fair and impartial in the ad-
ministration of the law and not permit
fayorltism to any particular lawyer
practicing before him to actuate him
in the least In his decisions. No mat
ter what the political standing of the
lawyer practicing in his court may be,
II a Judge is honest with himself and
the people who have placed in his
hands the highest trust that can be
reposed in any man, he will not allow
the thought OF denomination to in
nuence him in any respect in his decis-
ions
A Judge should be fearless and cour-
ageous. He should not be prompted
with motives to make his judicial por
sition a stepping stone to some other
place that his ambition may desire.
To hll this requirement, he must never
hesitate to do his full duty as a Judge
regardless Of the consequences, If he
believes that he is right. The law
and its proper Interpretation should
be the guiding star Of his conduct, and
this course will command the respect
and admiration Of the people and the
members of the Bar.
A fearless and courageous court, in
times Of excitement, and when the
passions Of men run high. is what
the people depend upon for safety and
guidance.
To be a good Judge a person must he
evenly balanced That is. he must be
able to control his feelings during
the trial of a cause. Attorneys in
the trial of a cause. where their whole
thoughts are centered upon the in
terest OF their clients are sometimes
pardoned for showing undue anxiety
In behalf of those they are endeavoring
to assist. The judge, who should be
neutral between the contesting par
ties, should not be excused from show.
ing M temper and bad manners. When
ever he does this. he shows a lack
OF self-restraint and discipline OF him
self that should receive the severest
condemnation A judge in the trial
OF a cause should endeayor to adopt
golden mean. II his nervous con
dition Is such that he cannot try a
case with dellberation. care and
thought; II his idea OF the practice Of
the law and its administration is Of
such a character that he deems haste
and hurry in the trial Of causes as the
essential thing. he Is utterly unfit for
a judge Of our courts, where clear
thought and the most careful deliber-
Iations are required. While on the
surface it might appear that such a
judge is saving the peoples money in
taxes. yet he is the most expensive
of judges, for the reason that through
the lack OF thought and deliberation.
more appeals are taken from the de
eisions OF such a judge than OF any
other.
It is unfortunate for the people as
well as the members OF the Bar. when
a judge becomes possessed with the
idea that his court must be conducted
IN a strenuous manner. Rapid-hring
courts may appeal 10 some who know
nothing about the administration OF
the law. theoretically Il may ccm.
mand the respect OF the thoughtiess,
but 70 the members OF the Bar and to
clients who have had occasion TO come
in contact with such a court. they feel
like one who has the temerity to tackle
a buz saw when In motion
A Judge TO approach anywhere near
the Ideals Of the legal profession.
should be a person OF courage and
manliness. He should never be aneot,
ed by the clamor Of those who know
nothing about the administration OF
law, and are governed largely by ca.
price and surroundings Where a
Judge panders TO the cry OF the
lthoushtless where questions OF great