The Bourbon news., 1909-07-20
Bill to Adopt the Black Gowns.

IL is understood that Dill is to be
introduced in the next General Assem-
bly, of Kentucky requiring the Judges
of the Kentucky Court of Appeals to
wear black silk gowns while they are
on the bench.
The members Of the Supreme and
Superior Courts of many states, copy
ing the customs Of the United States
Supreme Court, have adopted this GUS
tom. Some have done so on their own
motion, while others have been requir-
ed by special acts to add to their digni-
ty by the use of the black robes.
About the time that Thos. H. Payn-
ter left the Appellate bench to go to the
United States Senate, and was succeed
ed by John M. Lassing. there was talk
that the Judges were to be made to
wear the gowns Judge Lassing did
not like the idea, and claimed that he
was too small of stature to set off a ju.
dicial robe properly. But they were
never ordered and Judge Lassing, in
a short, cutaway business suit, has
been haning down opinions. His mind
has heen undisturbed by the robe ru-
mors, but they are being revived now.
Judge Lassing will be on the anxious
The Judge is not vain at all, but he
doesn't like the idea Of donning silk
gown every time he renders an opin-
ion. But if that becomes the rule the
Judge from the sixth district will beat
all his associates in jumping into the
silk gown, and he can be counted on to
keep his on the longest.
Judges Thomas j Mum, Warner E.
Settle and j. P. Hobson will become
the judicial gowns. All have snowy
white hair, and if they do not look like
typical looking Judges of the law it
will not be their fault, but rather the
fault of the silk trimmings.
Judges John D. Carroll. Henry S.
Barker and Ed G. O'Rear will appear
as EpiscOpelian ministers. Judge Las
sing will not discuss his appearance,
but will probably add to his height by
wearing high heeled shoes, like for
mer United States Senator James B.
McCreary does on important occasions,
although the Senator is of good size.
The Judges of Kentucky's highest
Court made splendid appearance on
the bench.
The present Chief Justice of the
Court is Warner ESettle, of the second
Appellate District. According to the
Kentucky law during the last year of
judges term Of service, which is
eight, the retiring Judge sits as Chief
Justice and presides over the Court.
Several times two or more Judges
have retired during the same year and
then according to the statute they
draw lots to determine which one
should have the honor of ser wing as
Chief Justice.
On January 1,1911, the present terms
of four Judges of the Court will expire.
They are Judges Thomas j. Mum, of
the First District Judge Warner &.
Settle, of the Second District; Judge
Henry s. Barker, of the Fourth Dis
trict, and Judge John M. Lassing, of the
Sixth District. All are now serving
their first terms, Judge Lassing by ap-
pointment of J.C. W. Beckham. I'M
less Judge Lassing is reelected to the
bench he will not have the honor of
serving as Chief Justice. Judge Settle
will be succeeded by Judge Num-, who
it is understood, will serveFa half year,
and will be succeeded by JudgeIBarker.
The order of succession is in accord
ance with the mandate of the law,
which is written at some length to
cover many contingencies and to. give
every Judge the chance to be Chief
Justice.
Judge O'Rear has served as Chief
Justice, and is now beginning his sec
ond term of eight years on the bench,
| having been reelected last fall. Judge
/ Settle succeeded Judge O'Rear as
Chief Justice.
Both Judges Carroll and Holson have
long terms. ahead of them. Judge Hol-
son was reelected for second term
and Judge Carroll is serving by ap-
pointment of j. CIV BecKham, to
succeed the late Judge James E. Cam
triI, of the Fifth District
Of course Judge O'Rear will be on
the bench or eight years longer unless
the Republicans nominate and elect
him Governor. Judge Holson it is be-
lieved, can stay where he is as long as
he pleases.
Judge Num- has no opposition for re-
nomination. Judge Barker is without
opposition up to this time, but the
Fourth Appellate District made up of
Louisville and Jefferson County. is al.
ways an uncertain quantity in an cleo
ton. George Du.Relle, Republican, was
elected to the bench from this district
and was succeeded by Judge Barker,
Democrat, who won by a small majori.
ty. Therefore, if Judge Barker had a
denomination cinched, he could not
afford to count his chickens before the
vote was counted. Judge Lassing al
ways lights on his feet, and it is said
will turn up with Democratic n0mi-
toin in his grasp. There is not likely
to be any oppositionfto Judge Carroll
and a nomination in this district is
equivalent to an election. Judge Car
roll is another Judge who is apt to sit
on the bench just as long as he wants
to stay.
All the Judges except Judge O'Rear,
are Democrats.
William Rogers Clay. the Commits
siuuer of the Court, is really Judge
of the Court, and performs the same
functions as a Judge. The Office was
created by the Legislature to Tighten
the work of the seven Judges. The
place is filled by appointment of the
Governor. Mr.. Clay was named by
Governor Beckham.