Omaha daily bee., 1908-02-16
CAN KING DO WRONC?.
Doctrine Of Royal Infallibility Raised
in Court in Ireland.
QUEER LEGAL TANGLE AVOIDED
Complainant withdraws Suit Before
Decision is Necessary.
FINE WORK AT GERRYMANDERMG
Derry Council is Controlled by
Minority Of Nationalists.
PLAN FOR GENERAL INSURANCE
Company Managed by Irishmen is
Intended 60 Permit Investment
of Irish Capital at
Home.
Complainant Withdraws Suit Befor,
Decision is Necessary.
FINE WORK AT GERRYMANDERMt
Derry Council is Controlled by
Minority of Nationalists.
PLAN FOR GENERAL INSURANCE

DUBLIN, Feb. b.-(Special) 1.-THE doctrine
that the king can do no wrong has just
been revived in It's most ridiculous and ex-
treme form in the kings bench court Dub
lin, in connection with the attack on the
qualifications OF Judge Boodlxin, the newly
appointed county court Judge for Claire
Mr., Bodkin was a writer on the ''Freeman's
Journal and his connection with that
paper made him unpopular with Slim Fein-
ers. One Of the Sin Fein party, a laborer
named Markham, started "quo warranto'
proceedings alleging that Judge Bodkln
was not qualified for appointment as a
judge because he had not been a practising
barrister for several years. The attorney
general for Ireland who appeared to defend
the proceedings put forward the remarkable
argument that no matter whether Mr.. Bod
kin possessed the necessary qualifications
for one appointment or not, and even in
the fact of direct evidence that he did not
possess the legal qualifications, the mere
fact that the king-acting in this case
through the rd-lieutenant-appointed him
TO the office made It a matter of legal cer-
tainty that he did posses the necessary
qualifications.
Another remarkable doctrine advanced
started by private person, they were techni-
cally initiated by the king and the king
could not appear in his own courts against
himself. Fortunately for their sanity the
judges were. not called on to solve these
problems in metaphysics, for Markham,
after the case had been going on for a
couple of days, changed front and declared
that he had been used as tool by other
persons and that when he signed the affi-
davit on which the action was begun he
did not know what he was signing. This,
OF course, put an end to the proceedings.
leaving these two interesting problems un-
solved
Fine WOrk Rt Gerrymandering.
Attention has just been called to COM
plete a piece OF gerrymandering has
ever been known in America. The popula-
tion OF Derry is about 10000 and of these
3,0Oo are Catholics and nationalsts. but
there are only thirteen nationalist members
Of the city council to twenty-four union
lists. There Is not even Catholic street
sweeper In the employ OF the council AMI
the first question asked of an applicant
for muiicpipal employment is ''What are
your religion and politics? The Irish
party has decided at the present session of
Parliament to demand a redistribution OF
the wards Of Derry which will give the
majority Of the population a chance to
secure it's fair share of representation In
the municipal government.
Mr.. Rafferty,, the coroner for South
County Dublin, has had the courage to
start a campaign against one of the most
cherished traditions of the coroner's jury
that all suicides are insane. The verdict,
Suicide while insane" of course, dates
from the days when suicide meant the ex-
clusion of the suicides body from decent
foI a,,a he ,,F "a
had it's origin in the desire OF the jury to
see substantial justice done in spite of the
law. Now, however there is no such ex-
cuse and Mr. Rafferty, began his campaign
few days ago by refusing to receive a
verdict Of suicide while insane" in the
case OF a soldier, in which the evidence
showed great deliberation and careful plan
ming. The jury was stubborn and the
coroner locked 1t up over night. but in the
morning It refused to alter its verdict and
the coroner discharged It. He issued
permit allowing the body to be buried, bu.
80 far the cause OF death has not been
officially determined. Mr.. Rafferty, declares
that in future he intends to have verdicts
in his court rendered in accordance with
the facts.
Irish General Insurance.
A step In the right direction has Just
been taken by the formation In Dublin of
an Irish General Insurance company, the
first OF its kind to be launched by Irish
capital and managed by Irishmen. One cf
TIE features of English rule In ireland 70
which little attention has been drawn 10
that most Of the surplus wealth OF Ireland
is invested abroad. There are few coun-
tries In which a larger proportion of the
population is possessed of independent
means and nearly every penny Of thel-
capital is invested In English or foreign
securities, whereas 1t might, with equal
safety and profit 10 the owners. be provid-
ing work for Irish men and women. The
Irish banks are somewhat TO blame as they
have been In the habit OF recommending
foreign investments TO their clients, but
the revival OF industry In ireland is be-
ginning TO afford profitable opportunities
for the investment OF Irish money.
Sir Thomas Esmonde. who has consented
10 return TO the Irish party. has not re-
laxed his interest I'm the Sim Fein policy
OF work at home for the regeneration Of
Ireland. and he Is very much interested
now IN a scheme for the flotation of county
stock for the Improvement Of the harbors
OF his native county of Wexford.
Public BeggiRg DemOraliEinE.
had a very interesting interview with
him on the subject a few days ago, in
which he said;
on won't get roast lafks 10 tall into
your mouth II you are aSleep-you will
have to do the whole work on your own
account. We have got into such a habit
In this country of begging TO the English
Parliament for everything and doing moth
ing ourselves. that We are utterly demor-
Z allied by couple OF generations Of this
public begging. and Il is very hard TO
adopt a more self-respecting attitude.
There are lot OF things we can do our
selves without troubling the English Par
lament at ALL and we are too lazy TO do
them. and this question of the fishermen is
essentially a case in point.
We have 1900 people directly employed
in fishing in this county. This is one Of
the largest maritime counties I'm Ireland
ana think IL is worth while encouraging