South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-10
MOTT ASCENDS
SUPERIOR BENCH
issues Formal Statements De-
CIaring Rich and Poor Will
Have Equal Standing.

Judge Thomas ID. Mote of the ST.
Joseph county superior court APP
pointed by Gov. Goodrich last we'd
resday TO fll out the uneXmred term
of the late Judge George Fv-d and
sworn into office Saturday afternoon
Iy County Clerk Raab presided on
tie bench OF that court for the first
time Monday morning, the entire
morning session being taken up with
setting cases.
At the opening of court Judge
Mote addressed a written statement
O. the members of the bar associa-
ton, expressing his appreciation Of
the honor that had been bestowed
upon him and assuring the attor-
neys assembled that the rights OF
ali in his court will be judged in
strict accordance with the law, with
out consideration Of station or
wealth. power or influence. and call
ing upon the attorneys for their
hearty cooperation I'm aiding the
court TO carry out that policy.
Disclaims any Prejudice.
Opening with a request for hearty
cooperation ON the part of the at
torneys Judge Motifs statement con-
t!nues.
81 assure YOU, gentlemen. in as
srming office I bring 20 the dis
charge OF my duties no political con-
siderations, no motives Of friend
ships or Of enmities 10 sway me in
my judicial actions. As Judge 7 have
no favors 10 ask or TO give. To my
mind there lis no more despicabIe
character than he who assumes
judicial office and takes with him
Jo the fuldlment Of the sacred trust
with which for the moment he is
harged. the passions. the pre-
lsdicies and the selfish aims which
destroy the even balance OF justice
ard prove abominable obstacles to
its free and fair administration.
Insofar as in my power lies and
Cod helping me- this court shall
continue to be the court of all the
pcOple.-of the poor just as much
ass OF the wealthy. of those OF lowly
station as much as Of those of high
social standing. o. the meek and
humble as much as Of the proud
and influential Here the rugged
laborer, earning his daily bread by
hard physical effort. shall stand on
exactly the same and equal footing
with the rich and powerful cor
poration. The rights of all shall be
adjudged i'm strict accordance with
the law as God gives me the light to
see IL. and without consideration of
stouon or wealth, power OF iniu-
once
attorneys Must Help.
You yourselves, under your
ootns as attorneys and officers OF
The court, are charged with the
sacred duty OF aiding the court
boz the administration Of JUS
tice. and under the sane
tiou Of that oath / venture nothing
I'm hoping and believing that You
will grant me your cooperation i'm
maintaining the high standards of
the American judiciary. Justice is
the very- groundwork of our insti-
tutious. and the judge or the attor-
rey who prostitutes his office or his
duty. as indeed he who through
selfish or unworthy motives seeks
20 destroy confidence I'm our courts.
strikes at the very foundations of
our republic. and as traitor should
receive the contempt and punish
ment which all such deserve.
w Unnecessary Delays.
1T shall be my aim and endeavor
"a expedite the business of the
court as much as possible. Here too
viii ] need your help. Delays i'm the
administration OF justice are not
fair 10 the court or 90 litigants. and
not unfrequeutly work a miscarriage
of justice I shall ask you 20 assist
me i'm clearing this docket insofar
as it may be practical, and To this
end 7 wish 10 say that j shall al
ways bee at your service. and that
desire that You shall feel free 20
approach me AT any time. either I'm
court or in my chambers or else
where upon such business as YOU
may properly have with the court
or Judge. ] shall always hope 20
receive from the members of the
lar such suggestions as they may
have 10 offer regarding matters per
aiming 20 the court.
"Iu conclusion, gentlemen. permit
mo- 20 express the hope that our re-
.tions during my term OF office may
he as friendly and pleasant as those
teho wish us we'll could wish. SO
that az the end we may look back
vftb happv satisfaction upon duty
vel done and be blessed with the
eorsciousness that we have preserv-
&C our self-respect'