The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-15
SOMETHING FOR
THE LAWYERS
JUDGE EDWIN s. DooLITTLE HAS
WRITTEN SET OF RULES Gov
ERNINo PRACTICE IN
HIS COURT.
HIS COURT.

HIS COURT.
Hon. Edwin s. Doolittle, judge OF the
cabell Circuit Court, has written a
full set of rules governing the prac-
tice In his court, which has just come
from the hands of the printer. The
work is very complete and compre-
hensive one from a legal standpoint
and the Cabell county bar. which is
conceded to rank with the best in the
State, is loud in its praise Of Judge
Doolittle's effort to establish uni
formity of practice in his court. The
rules II strictly lived up to will in
many ways facilitate matters in court
and while some attorneys would rath-
er be governed with a lax rein, still
the practice as outlined in these
rules win operate to the advantage
Z of such attorneys as well as to their
clients.
Judge Doolittle being of long SER
vice on the bench and recognized as
one of the best circuit Judges in the
State, his rules will no doubt be put
into practice in many other coun-
ties as they become more familiar to
the courts.
The addendum of this set Of rules
is possibly the best part of the work.
as it is a good strong lecture on the
ethics of the legal profession given
out in such manner as to be inter-
esting, but not harsh. The attorney
who reads this section Of the work can
always find consolation in the fact
that this applies to she other fellow,
but 1t is hard to find clause to, fit
the reader.
"A few extracts from the Addendum:
In fine. the lawyer knows that the
shyster's motto: win your case hon
estly as you can-but win your case"
is open to righteous criticism.
THE good Judge. in order to avoid
any unseemly wrangle in the court
room, will not talk too much nor give
too many reasons for his rulings. In
cases Of grave doubt he will simply
look wise and say nothing. He knows
that "a fool uttereth all his mind;
but wise man keepeth it in till af-
forwards after the Court of APP.
peals has enunciated the correct rule
and reasoning in the case"
Again, we are not unmlndful that
a judge AFFLICTED with an overbearing
disposition, forgetting his own dig
nitya nd ignoring the ethics of the
Judiciary. is liable at times to make
trouble for himself and others by los.
ing his patience and temper, and be-
coming rough II not tough in his man.
ners; and may thus grieve the lawyers
and make them think with Shakes.
peare's Isabella:
20, but man. proud man!
Dressed in little brief authority;
Most ignorant of what he is most
assured.
His CLASSY essence-like an angry
ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before
high heaven,
AS make the Angels weep"
Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter The West Virginia
Code and the Code of Ethics should
go hand in hand with every Judge and
lawyer If he is not familiar with the
latter code, the one adopted by the
West Virginia Bar Association, at
their meeting held at Elkins in Decem.
Der. 1906, should speedily become his
wade mecum. And II this code of
ethics does not furnish the necessary
information, let him faithfully follow
the Golden Rule: "All things whatso-
ever We would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them; for this
Is the law and the prophets"