The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-15
uANps orr TIE BENCH.

cHlet COUNSEL lpr the ne1enSe, rotnef
than the Judge on the bench. conduct
the trial OF those charged With the
commission Of crime? Why does the
law or It's administration make crime
easy? In an English court of justice
murder case can be disposed OF in
one o. two days Why should 1t take
-Four weeks to Try such a case In this.
country?
These are some OF the pertinent ques-
lions asked and answered by President
Taft IN Ills address to tho Academy OF
Political Science In New York Satur-
day night. II was avery plain talk
upon subject that should be of the
largest interest to the people Of the
United States. In England criminals
Rre punished in the United States
criminals are not punished. we get
our law from England, we administer
1t for ourselves The effectiveness Of
the two systems. In Mr.. Taft's opin-
ion. exists in the character. expert
ence and learning OF the Judges. In the
power which they maintain and exer-
cise in tho course OF the trial for the
saving OF time and the siinpl!nca ton
of the issues and In the respect ana
obedience given to their .ntimations
from the bench as to the proper be-
iuvior of counsel In the conduct OF
the case" The law defines crime and
declares what tho penalty shall be.
juries indict and juries try; but the
position of the Judge has been reduced
to one something like that of the
mod in n religious assembly or
The presiding officer Of political con
vention." I -
It is required BY our own bill
OF rights. as 1t is secured In Eng
land BY Magma Charta, that trials shall
be conducted py' a court and jury. the
functions of the Judge being as i'm
portant and to be as zealously guarded
as the functions OF the Jury. In Eng
land the tenure of the Judge is during
good behavior or practically for life.
He is trained lawyer: he has com
plete charge of procedure in tho court
room; he takes an activ. par. in the
trial OF the cases before him; he keeps
the counsel within proper bounds In
the presentation Of tho chse: he ex-
pounds the law no explains the testi-
mony. he sinplines tho issues upon
which the Jury Is to pass nnal judg-
ment IN word. he is a very impor-
tan; part OF the machinery of the law.
which is really made for the protec-
lion of the State III many parts OF
The United States. the Judge is not
allowed to comment upon the facts al
ell; is not even allowed 10 charge tho
jury after the arguments of counsel.
must submit written charges to the
Jury upon abstruse questions OF law:
IS degrated % the level OF sort Of
recording secretary OF the proceed
ings OF the tribunal over which he pre-.
sides. and with the result that this
blessed nation Of ours IS being CON
yerted into marion of criminals
Bad IS It Is. the MReformers" would
make II even worse The Judge IS
TO Be made still less important and
TO BE put still more on trial. ana 10
assume still more the character OF a
defendant ny 3 provision OF law Under
which. IL his rulings and conduct IN
court 10 not suit q small percentuee
Of the electors OF his district he may
be compelled 10 submit the question
( ot MS continuance on the bench d,,r,rg
the term for which ne was elected u
m election for recall" "l.et us hope
that the strong sense OF hu.nor.'' SAID
Mr.. Taft. "of the American peoflc.
which has so often saved ,hen fro,u
h the dangers OF oathos and denlA
goguery. wiil no! 5e lasting inrespeet
Of this 'nostiulr.'.' ~
+ When Mr. TAFT fJilowea TIL NINA
Man III tho White House there wns
much criticism Of his COCA manners.
nne many persons ttoupht ala said
that he was loo easy. That ae aia M.
iI"do things that he WAX somc,hine
IF moliycoddlc; mat M did no riie
jumping horses ana swim swollen
4 creeks and c!imb unsuitable .Irileint..Iut
and play tennis hat IN Ills last ,us,lty
appearances 81 has Seen found that Il,
mas a head OF his own ana 4 .,s,ye,i,
.' SesilG "itH Via
I'unlic issues tilnt are Tic sures, wi
ldences o. real Strength fiis sbeee.
10 the newspaper FOLK ~ Nen York &.
me .reciproci'y question MS ,Alk 10 In.
Changers when he tola them tpsi III
would not change IFS opinion "a th!
issue i he knew tina, his course woui,
result In MS defeat Tor re-elcc,iom, an,
his speech Saturday night. in wii5l
he damned so Thoroughly ,hr e.dmins
administration Of lay IN th!s count
II and me latest aud crazest 81 III
schemes for upse,tns orderly govern
fment IL ihis4'land, show that he !
| ";oting his own skillet" IN say /,
make him aiIihc stronger with III
& thoughtful people OF the country. Til
ftnt ,.F ..,.,. az D.. . r.