Evening star., 1909-06-08
BIGGEST CLASS EVER
Georgetown Law School Be-
slows Many Sheepskins.
EXERCISES LAST EVENING
One Hundred and Forty.Seven Can.
didates Receive Degrees.
NAMES OF THE PRIZE WINNERS
Wade n. Ellis, Assistant to the At
torney General, Delivers the
Principal Address.
NAMES OF THE PRIZE WINNERS

Present IN CndSe nedIer ldst evening
to receive sheepskins was the largest
class ever graduated from the George
town University Law School. The di-
plomas were presented by Rev. Joseph
Himmel, S. j., president OF the univer-
sity. Chief Justice Seth Shepard Of the
Court of Appeals of the District of Co
lumbia awarded the prizes, and Wade
H. Ellis. assistant to the Attorney Cen
eral. delivered the address to the grad
yates.
The theater was crowded to its capac-
ity with friends and members OF the
families of graduates. the members OF the
faculty Of the university and the law
school, and many members of the District
judiciary and bar.
The march to the stage was led by
President Himmel and members OF the
tions by Schroeder's orchestra Father
Himmel made a brief Introductory ad-
dress. The diplomas were then presented
as Secretary Richard j. Watkins called
candidates for the degree of bachelor Of
laws and twenty-five for the degree OF
master Of laws.
Defends Courts and judiciary.
In his address to the graduates Mr..
Ellis defended vigorously the attacks that
have recently been made on the courts
and upheld the judiciary Of the country.
Quoting from Chief Justice John Mar
SHALL he said THE greatest curse an
angry God can inf1ict upon a sinful and
judiciary" The speaker explained that
the occasion was cause for reflection
upon questions which go to the very
bottom of our institutions as people
the dignity and supremacy Of law"
More than ever there is at the present
time spirit of impatience with the
courts" Mr.. Ellis declared: mot only
with the method Of Jurisprudence in
vogue, but with the whole institution
of the judiciary. on the ground that 1t
does not represent the will Of the people.
We hear on every hand that the courts
are not near enough to the people; that
they stand in the way Of progress; that
they are dominated by the favored class
interest of the great body Of the people
are obstructed by the decisions of the
courts; in a word, that the judiciary is
in the way. that it ought to be swept
aside or controlled or 'popularized' so
that the will of the people may be
promptly done and our advancement as a
nation may go on without restraint or
interruption.
Instances of Public 1mpatience.
I'VE had an instance Of this complaint
In the last campaign. 1t was said that
the federal courts especially were abus-
ing their powers, and that their authori-
ty ought to be curtailed. We have in
stances of this public impatience, we
have expressions of this public discon-
tent, voiced in some of the newspapers,
and occasionally by the legislative as
semblfes whenever some great, progress
i've measure is declared to be unconsti-
tutional. or Is so construed as to restrict
the good intended to be accomplished"
No suggestion. Mr.. Ellis continued. was
ever fraught with more danger. While
he was not he declared, one of those who
believed there was anthing sacred about
the person of judge, he did believe
that no judge in the land should ever be
compelled to answer to any man or set of
men or to any power on earth for an
honest and fearless declaration Of what
he believes right.
Safety Of Our Institutions.
IF the courts of this country break
down." he added. land lose their influ-
ence and authority. 1t will not be because
they are too Independent OF public opin-
ion. but because they are too dependent
upon it. No one could make a graver
mistake than he who asserts that In a
great free government like ours the
courts ought to be subservient to public
clamor or to popular whim. The very
safety Of our institutions depends upon
doctrine precisely contrary to this. We
must remember that in a republic where
the people rule there are just two mani
festations Of government. The one is the
legislative. the other the judicial; the
one is law in the making, the other is
law in the enforcement.
The very moment you insist that the
courts shall be answerable to the people
for their decisions and shall be remov-
able from Office II they do not decide
according to the popular view of what
the law Is, or ought to be. you take a
step which leads logically and inevitably
to mob rule. And mob rule Is not gov
ernment of the people: 1t Is not govern
ment for the people. and, most OF all, 1t
is not government by the people.
Selection Of Judges:
1T is for this reason that I think we
are to be congratulated. whatever party
we may belong to. that We have Presi-
dent who declares that in the appoint
ment of federal judges he will regard
only character and capacity and will per-
nit no political considerations whatever
to influence him in the choice. 1t will be
a fair day for this country when the
time comes that all judges are selected
for ability and not agility 1t will be a
above and beyond party conventions and
party ballots: lifted above and beyond
the control of any element in the country,
whether a majority or minority,
whether a mass or a class. and safely
committed to their work in a realm
where only justice and reason live. In
the achievement of this ideal the law
yers of America owe 1t to themselves and
to their country to lead the way"
Referring to the work of the lawyer,
Mr.. Ellis said it has two aspects. first
his duty to the courts, and second. his
duty to his clients. He spoke briefly Of
the two obligations.
Presentation of Prizes.
The prizes, which were presented by
Mr.. Chief Justice Shepard, were awarded
as follows
Faculty cash prize of 800. for best
debater, to James Spiller Of Texas.
Faculty cash prize of $40 for the best
essay from among the members of the
third-year class. to Chester A. Gwinn;
subject THE Right to Contribution Be-
tween Joint Tort-Feasors."
nP ho hes