The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-09-07

CONDEMN
lands
American Bar Associ-
alton Adopts Reso-
luton Of Unquali-
fled Condemna-
ton Of Chica-
go Judge


Cincinnati, Sept. 1.-The action
of Federal Judge K. NJ. Lands, OF
Chicago, national commissioner OF
baseball in accepting private en-
ployment ana private emolument
while active on the federal bench
was declared to meet with the san-
qualified condemnation o. the
Arerio Tn Bar association in res
olution adopted tonight.
The resolution was adopted after
stormy debate in which former
Senator James Hamilton Lewis
counselled against hasty action
and moved that the matter be re-
ferred to committee for investi-
CATION. He declared that Judge
Lands should be accorded prop
er hearing before being condemn
ed.
The resolution was drawn late to-
day by the executive committee Of
the association and was presented
by Hampton L. Carson Of Philadel-
phia, former president Of the Or
ganization
Strong Language Used
The resolution read as follows:
1.Resolved: That the conduct of
kenesaw NJ. Lands in engaging in
private employment and accepting
private emolument while holding
the position Of federal judge and
receiving a salary from the federal
government meets with unqualified
as conduct unworthy
Of the office Of judge, derogatory
to the dignity Of the bench and un-
dermining public confidence in the
independence of the Judiciary.
-.In upholding the honor Of the
profession of the law" Mr.. Carson
said in presenting the resolution "of
what use is it to prescribe canons
on ethics if we know that the man
upon whom the judicial ernine
rests has sold that ermine by yield
ing to the temptation Of private
gain.
Here is federal judge who re-
ceived $500 a year yet, yelling to
the solicitation of commercial in
terests, sapping his judicial strength
by taking S42,500 a year from
baseball players.
1T is simply dragging the er-
mine in the mire. 1t may be that
impeachment can not reach him
but one, thing can not escape US
that is, that from every judicial cir
cult and every bar in the country
rises the whitening scorn Of protest
against the men who would stain
their honor.
'tTo ignore this thing would have
been to leave this convention hang
ing our heads in shame at the eX-
ecrable conduct of this judge"
Lewis Defends Judge.
Rising to defend Judge Lands
as man convicted without tria! by
the resolution, former Senator
Lewis declared it did not become
the dignity of the American Bar as
sociation 10 take hasty action.
LAS a member Of the bar in Chi
cago, having practiced before the
judge in question 1 can not premit
myself to consent to a resolution
proposed for such hasty action, y
the former senator said. Il know
Judge lands, and I have differed
with him both in public and in pri-
vate, but can not permit an at
tack upon his character or his
probity as man who can be allur-
ed by money.
while this man is on trial it
does not become this body to press
a resolution which condemns him
without trial. You have read in
the public press that ne has ac-
cepted this baseball position and
has accepted this salary. 1t may
be that these are true, but whether
true or not, we should not present
to the world resolution which vio-
lates fairness.
81 must urge that the matter be
referred to a committee which they
serve due notice upon the alleged
culprit and give him opportunity
for reply. Let justice oe done
though the heavens fall.
Stormy debate ensued. Interrupt
ted frequently by outbursts Of cp-
plause as speakers in all parts Of
the convention hall arose to sup
port or denounce the resolution.
United States Senator George Suth-
erlard Of Utah, chairman of the
meeting, finally proposed the mo-
ton of Mr.. Lewis to refer the reso-
luton to a committee. The motion
was lost.
Without further delay the origi-
nal resolution as drawn by the eXe-
cutive committee was passed by
viva voce vote.
A motion that a certified copy of
the resolution be sent to Vice
President Coolidge to be presented
to the senate and another to the
house was made by William a.
keecham of Indiana The motion
was passed without debate