Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-21
Judge Taft Helps Dedi-
cate Court House.
Delivers Address Before Work
Of The Court Begins.
Administration Of Justice BY
Courts" His Subject.

William III. Taft today assisted in the
opening of the court and in tho dedi-
cation of court house at German
town, Va, five miles from Hot Springs
Judge Taft accepted the invitation to
be present at this ceremony on the
ground that it was a neighborhood af-
fair. The subject of his speech was
The Administration OF Justice by the
Courts"
He was greeted by large assem-
blage Of sojourners at neig.iboring
resorts and country folk, many of
whom travelled far to see and hear the
Republican candidate for the Presi-
dency. He was given cordial well
come. The sercngth of the judiciary, he
declared, was based on the fact that
it rested upon the principle that the
people share in the responsibility for
the work of the courts, in the form of
duty on juries and in other capacities.
He justified proper criticism of the
courts by the people because by such
criticism those who administer jus
tice shall feel that they are under the
critical eye Of men and women en-
titled to have justice of the people adj
ministered without fear or favor" He
could not come into the atmosphere OF
the court. he said, without a feeling of
deep regret that he had ever left the
bench. Judge Taft was heartily APP
plauded when he opened his address
and was frequently interrupted by APP
plause. Mrs. Taft accompanied her hus-
band to the court house
Judge Taft was presented to the as
sembly by j. A. Riversomb. a MEM
Der of the board of supervisors OF the
county, Judge Anderson, the presiding
justice being present. In presenting the
visitor, Mr.. Rivercomb referred to him
as the most distinguished gentleman
in the United States" He spoke of his
wide and varied experience in public
life and in concluding said:
'I take pleasure in introducing to
you the next President of the United
States"
"I don't like to introduce a joint discus.
sion at this time" said Mr.. Taft in OPEN
ing his remarks. "And I venture to say
that the last statement of the dstin-
guished gentleman might not receive
unanimous concurrence through the coun-
try. But we are not here this morning
to talk politics. l appreciate ruch the
hospitality of Virginia and of Bath coun-
gates, to come and take part in this in
terestinG ceremony.
This scene today to anyone who looks
at it in comparison with other counties
suggests the blessing of free govern
ment Those who have had any expert
ence with other countries will realize that
in many of them a government means
to the people an entity different from
t.,
onistic to them. In such countries among
the people there is an absence of q sense
of responsibility as to what Is done by
the government absence of q desire to
help the government. Such sense OF re-
sponsbility, such desire to help govern
ment, is illustrated in every meeting Of
this kind the country over They come
from the belief that VIC. the people. are
the government and in courts of justice
it is increased by the fact that the people
take part in the administration of justice.
Il cannot come into the atmosphere of
q court room without feeling Of deep
regret that 1 ever left it. for I was II
years on the bench. I cannot refrain in
the presence of members of this bar and
of the distinguished judge who presides
over it, from commenting on what to mo.
and doubtless to Judge Anderson. has
been. except from the family relation and
that of the most intimate friendship, tho
sweetest relation that have ever expe-
ienced in life, that between the judge
of the bench, whose character, whose
impartiality all the members of the bench
recognize, on the one hand. and the MEM
bers OF the bar, whose sincere assistance
in the administration of justice, whose
desire to have a square deal all round Is
recognized by the court Each member
of the bar feels that he will get a hear
ing and that the Judge will decide as the
case requires and that no matter how he
decides the relation of close friendship
mutual respect and cooperating in the
administration Of justice-will always re-
main to cement bonds than which there
arc few dearer.
"As a lawyer I can admit that our pro-
fcssion is the greatest. OF course that
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