New-York tribune., 1908-07-21
JUDGE TAFT ON COURTS
PROPER CRITICISM JUST.
Strength Lies in Sharing of Respon-
sibiity By the People.

ceremony on the ground that it was a neighbour
hood affair The subject of his speech was tho
administration OF justice by the courts He was
greeted by large assemblage of sojourners at
neighboring resorts and country folk, many OF
whom travelled far to and hear the Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency He re-
ceived cordial welcome.
The strength of the Judiciary. ne declared, was
based on the fact that it rested upon the prin-
ciple that the people shared in the responsibility
for the work OF the courts I'm 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 justice shall feel that they are
under the critical eye of and women en-
titled to have justice of the people administered
without fear or favor
Judge Taft was heartily applauded when he
opened hts address and frequently inter-
rupted by applause. Mrs Taft accompanied
him. The presiding judge. Judge George r.
Anderson. was present
j. A Rvercomb, member of the Board Of
Supervisors of the county in introducing Judgs
Taft, referred to him the most distinguished
gentleman in the United States" and said:
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.
II take pleasure in introducing to you tho
next President of the United States"
Il don't like to introduce Joint discussion gust
at this time" said MIR Taft in opening his re-
marks, "and I venture say that the last
statement of the distinguished gentleman might
not receive unanimous concurrence through
the country But not here this morning
to talk politics. 1 appreciate much the hos
pitaty of Virginia and of Bath County. in in
viting me;~a stranger within your gates. como
and take part in this interesting ceremony. I
thank your judge, Judge Anderson for allowing
to occupy his courtroom and TO postpone for
a time the business which awaits his disposition.
I speak of the courtroom as belonging to Judge
Anderson. for. having been judge. 1 like TO
amplify the position and its influence"
Continuing. Judge Taft said:
We have come UP into this beautiful valley
for health and We getting a great
deal Of inspiration those of us who have come
into II for the pure air. Some Of us haven't
taken waters yet / have not felt the neces-
sity, the score OF health. to do that. although
1 am bound to say that the enthusiastic hosts
at the Hot Spring have suggested IT. L said TO
them that my feeling reminded me of the ep1-
taph In graveyard Il was well. wished TO be
better; took physic, and here am SO, like
q good husband, I have ventured To allow Mrs.
Taft to take the baths. I am told that tho
waters Of this valley very searching, very
healthful. but little disappointing at first in
developing a great many troubles that you do
Instead Of the waters, have been taking the
pure air Of the valley I have been telling over
the golf links four and Ave miles day. lariing
the lean Garth as Falstan did. and have gained
health that makes it unnecessary TO resort TO the
more deliberate Of these remarkable
waters
We are here to-day for function the dedi-
cation Of what is certainly beautiful court
house. reminded i look at this court
house Of letter which Mr.. Justice Jackson. OF
the Supreme Court wrote 10 Senator Hoar. the
chairman of the Judiciary Committee with ref
erence to what I am sure my friend, Judge
Anderson. will have an interest in, the salaries
Of the Judges Said he: My dear Senator
60 about from city to city and come into these
great beautiful courthouses. L think that the
described erecting magnificent temples to
justice and starving the high priests" I don't
know about the judicial salaries in Virginia but
II this be hint that will lead in any way TO
the raising of the compensation of hard working
judges I shall have done something worthy OF
the day
BLESSINGS OF FREE GOVERNMENT.
This scene to-day. to any one who looks at il
in comparison with other countries, suggests the
blessing of free government Those who have
had any experience With other countries will
realize that In many of them a government
means 10 the people dn entity different from
themselves. something in sense antasonstic
to them. 1t has different personality and the
feeling with respect to 1T generally among the
people is that the government has the power
and must look after itself. In such countries
among The people there is absence of a
of responsibility as to what is done by the gov
ernment. absence of desire to help the govern
ment because they are a part of it, such
have here to-day.
Such sense Of responsibility, such desire to
help government is Illustrated in every meeting
of this hind tine country over They come from
the belief that We the people, are the govern
ment, and in courts of justice 1T Is increased by
the fact that the people take part in the ad-
ministration Of justice, that they called upon
the jury, that they are part of the tribunal that
decides the issue of fact in courts of law. that
they part of the posse cJmtatus that goes
out with the sheriff 20 enforce the law and make
it effective to carry out the DEGREES of Justice
AS long the people feel that these their
courts. that this is their Justice. that when IL
goes wrong. when 1T results IN injustice. they
ought TO be ashamed for IL, and they
sponSible for It, we can count ON a continuance
of a free government But when the people
lose interest In the administration of justice and
do not have that sense of responsibility that
that In deciding equally between the prisoner at
the bar and<the state, the rights of the people
are represented by the state and will be serious
ly injured by injustice to the state so long as
OF system.
The administration of justice In the country
perhaps better illustrates what have said and
the principle of II than even in the city. because
II I understand the practice IL Is for all the
country people to gather about court day TO
watch the proceedings. to learn the law as 1t is
delivered from the bench TO take an interest in
the issues they presented to the jury OF
their neighbors. to criticise as they have the
right to in proper way the rulings of the court
or the verdict of the jury. that those who are
administering Justice shall feel that they are
under the critical eye of men (and, may say. of
women) entitled to have the justice OF the peo-
pie administered without fear or favor
REGRETS LEAVING BENCH
I cannot come Into the atmosphere Of a court.
room without feeling OF deep regret that Z
ever left IL, for was eleven years on the bench
cannot refrain. IN the presence OF members OF
this BAR and of the distinguished tudxe who
presides over 1t. from commenting what to
me- and doubtless to Judge Anderson has been
except for the family relation and that OF the
most intimate friendship. the sweetest relation
that have ever experienced IN life. that be-