The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-20
Every Public Man Forced 10 Be
Under Its Influence
REACHES BIRMINGHAM TODAY
District Attorney VIII Be Guest OF
Honor at Banquet rendered BY
the Board of Trade
Tonight.

Warm Springs, Ga. July 19-The fea-
ture of today's programme of the Geor-
| sia Bar association convention was the
address of William Travers Jerome. dis
triet attorney of New York city. who
took as his subject Public Opinion
The address was received with great en-
thuslasm by the five hundred lawyers in
attendance.
In the course of his address Mr. Jerome
referred to President Roosevelt's eriti-
cism of a United States court judge, say
ing:
There is one injustice which public
opinion not infrequently does, and 1t IL
one which lawyers can do much to cor
rect, and that is the criticism of Judges
for decisions which they could not avoid
making If they obeyed the law. The re-
cent spectacle of the nations chief ex-
ecutive, himself not a lawyer, criticlsing
In a public document a federal Judge for
his decision on a point of law. has not.
l believe, commended itself to our pro-
fession. The laws are our laws. Public
! opinion made them and cannot change
them. Every citizen has a right to eriti-
else them, and seek their adoption or re-
peal. but while they are our laws we want
our judges to obey them and not suhsti-
tute for them something they deem in ac-
cord with thing so mutable and so diff
ferent to ascertain as public opinion.
THE soundness of judges legal judg.
ment and the wisdom of a particular de-
eision should not expose the Judge him.
self to criticism.
Indifference to Public Opinion.
THE man who declares that he is indit
ferent to public opinion said Mr.. Jerome,
if he be not fanatic, is too often some-
thing OF fool and knave--a sknave to
/ lie, and fool to think you believe him.
/ To q public officer the discharge of his
duty with or in The face OF public opil-
| ion, is like the difference In the running
of an engine with oiled or sanded bear
ings.
How potent public opinion is is every
where evident to the lawyer. What more
solemn declaration of its will can peo-
, pie make than to declare In its consttu-
tion of government that a thing shall
not be done. and that the legislative body
shall enact suitable laws to prevent the
doing of the prohibited act, and yet has
Maine for example been able to enforce
its prohibitive laws? Do not its sworn
| officers almost everywhere fail to fulfill
! their oaths? Like officers do not fall
| in their duties where crimes such as
| larceny are concerned.
I'm my own state the constitution pro-
hibits gambling and enioins the legisla-
ture TO pass laws to prevent It, The legs-
| lature however, has dared to pass a law
| which while in form aimed to prevent
| gambling on race tracks was notoriously
designed to protect 1t, and this was pos
| sbly only because the public opinion per-
! mitted. Whatever It's cause, and whatever
| its history. public opinion stands today
as the most important single influence in
| the life of the nation.
In many parts of the country. and es-
! pecially in our great cities, a mans abil-
/ ity to command a hearing must largely
| depend upon the newspapers, and II Is by
! these that the greatest justice and some-
! times the greatest injustices is DONE Some
| public sentiment Is the greatest force In
our public life surely the newspaper Is
! incomparably the greatest factor in It's
! formation and spread
| As to the part the speaker eontended
lawyers should take in influential public
| opinion, Mr. Jerome said;
Lawyer Plays Important Part.
''If the power of public opinion be so
great and II each OF has a not
inconsiderable capacity 10 influence 1t, II
seems almost needless because so obvious
to point out how of all classes of men
| the lawyer especially can influence 1t, ana
| Is under duty to do so.
"Our legislative bodies are largely COM
posed of lawyers and many of our chief
| executive and administrative officers are
| lawyers For veal or for woe, In propor-
1 ton TO numbers we or can be the
| most influential body of men In the coun-
| try. This power brings responsibilities
| which cannot honorably be. avoided. With
| the almost unlimited and extending power
| OF public opinion our duty grows greater
! and more clearly defined, II right-ninded
men do not form and direct II. others will.
| All public welfare depends upon it's being
wise and progressive. and not revolution
ary.
ITO make It such we must often incur
| its wrath. Hard as It is to bear. but when
we are brave. right and honest we may
count confidently on It's coming to us.
other Addresses Of the Day.
! Other addresses Of the day were
by Alexander Alderman of Macon.
on THE Power OF the Municipal Court"
and by Col r. e. Dismuke, on the topic.
Forged Bank Checks"
| Peter Meldrim of Savannah read tho
report on interstate law and other COM
mittee reports were read
Judge Blunt, former judge-advocate OF
the Philippines discussed the attitude OF
the United States to the Philippines pub
Iications criticising the policy of retain
/ ing the islands and urging that the Fill
pinos should be given their places among
! the nations Of the earth, receiving the
same treatment from the United states
| as granted Cuba.
| II Is stated the convention will reach
a Anal adjournment with the election Of
| officers tomorrow.
En- Route to Birmingham.
| Atlanta. July 19-District Attorney
| rarorna of New York CITY passed through