The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-10-29
MR.. TAFT As A JUDO
Able. Courteous, Kindly and Fay-
ori,e With Llilganis and Lawyers.

Able. Courteous, Kindly and . Fay-
oriie With Lliiganis and Lawyers.
Mr., Taft il 20 human in all that he
does that IL would be ineoneelvable had
be not had human side ms n Judge,
not only upon the Superior tonrl bench
Of Ohio, but later on the federal circuit
bench where lac sat and made legal
history for eight years. He tempered
IN the administration oil The
laws with hnmaness, courtesy aud
kindIness Of bearing, consideration
for the feelings and rights Of attorneys
aud ltigants that raised him to supreme
heights in their esteem.
Friendships, Domatter how close and
intimate, ceased 10 be when he was
called upon 10 adjudleate eases ~ which
friends and social companions might be
arrayed upon one side or the other. lie
ruled against bis own faiher-in-law IN
one case. Mr.. Heron was angry, for,
conscientious lawyer that he WAS, he
maintained that he was, at least,a near
right AS the other fellaw, aud minated
pretty plainly that he thought the fact
OF being related To Judge Taft 10y mar
riage had cost him the decision.
Garry il up, father, "chnckled Judge
Taft when Mr.. Heron complained to
him. He did appeal, and was beaten
Judge Taft made Myron 7. Herrck,
late Governor of Ohio, receiver for
railroad. 1t came to him that Mr.. Her
rick was rebating. He sent for him,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Herriek travelled
down 10 Cincinnati aud became house
guests of Judge and Mrs. Taft. The
next morning after breakfast, Judge
Taft called Mr.. Herrlck into his library
and pumped the question sqnarely at
him:
"Myron, have you been rebatng' II
you have you must suffer for it. "
Mr.. Herrick proved that the suspect
ed acts had been legal, although per
haps a trihe irregular, greatly to Judge
Taft's relief.
"But I'd have gotten it good, II |
hadn't been able to clear my skirts,
said Mr.. Herrick in telling the story.
Once at the conclusion of a case IN
Kentucky. where a man was on trial
for looting bank, the defendants at
torney said when Judge Taft had
charged the jury;
IF the verdict is against us we'll
have to give up, for cannot file sin
gle exception TO one of Judge Iaft,s
Judge before whom | ever practlsed. y
Judge Taft was untiring in watching
that the interests of every litigant were
fully protected. A lawyer who lacked
experience sought to file petition in
a damage suit brought against rail
road company by young girl who had
been deprived of foot in an accident.
The petition was defective, and Judge
Taft saw that il must be denied on APP
pIlcation of the company's attorney.
LET me have the petition a moment,
please" said he reaching down from
the bench. With quick pen he went
over the document, changing it here and
adding to it there until it was proof
against attack on technical grounds.
"You will pardon me for changing
your work, but | think perhaps that
will be better" said Judge Taft AS he
handed the document back. The plain
tiff recovered damages.
Facing him as he strobe whistlng in
TO his Office one sunny morning which
seemed 10 have borrowed some of its
brightness from the judges glowing
face, was haggard man. lawyer.
He was in straits. He had explained
10 the judges clerk that he had forgot
ten 10 file petition for appeal in a
nationally important case the day be-
fore. II was in the judges discretion
10 extend the time or throw the case
out OF court as a penalty for the law
yer's negligence.
Hello, --," shouted the Judge
when he saw the lawyer, 81 was afraid
you were going 10 let that ease go by
default. am glad you came. Got
your papers readyf"
That was all there was to it. He
knew the lawyers plight, and he did
not waste time or humiliate him by Civ
ing him an opportunity TO explain or
apologize.
"What a MAN he isl" exclaimed the
grateful lawyer 10 the judges clerk as
he left the office. Another Judge |
would have thrown my case out. oh.
what n MAN he ISL
To show his absolute impartialty aud
bis snndering OF personal ties when he
was on the bench. il is known that be
even refused 10 accede 10 Recommended |
tions made by former President Harri-
son, who appointed him Attorney Gen
eral OF the United States and circuit |
Judge IN behalf OF man who sought 1
the reeeiyership of railroad. His in
sight into the iniricacies Of a case was
remarkable. A muddled attorney WAS
before him on an occasion when the |
facts we're so involved that be bad diff
iiculiy IN presenting them 10 the court 4
ia coherent, tangible sequence.
"wait. please. - said Judge Taft, las
| understand it, the facts are these"
He proceeded in lucid, comprehen-
siye exposition Of the iangIe. aud |