Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-02


pendent either one OF two ways. Ell
ther independent from accident or
Independent by acquiaition; and. II
they are independent by accident. |
say that we have not got to the stage
of the old judicial system Of coun-
tries that have gone to decay where
the judiciary is solely a rich mans
prerogative. II those men are inde-
pendent by financial acquisition when
they have reached that age, tell
you that no man, however honest he
may be-, can disregard the environ
ment of years, and when there arise
propositions of far reaching moment
affecting not only the present, but
poStefity, when the decision upon
those propositions turns as by a hair,
a judge is human, and not Swayed
by corrupt, venal OF improper con-
sideration. Not for minute do
mean that, but he cannot disassoci-
ate the years of his environment that
have brought him to that point.
You either will make Judiciary in
the years to come that will not meet
the conditions of what the people de-
mAnd in the shape of best judg-
ments, or you will make a rich mans
retreat. Now I do not believe that
that is desired. and I do not believe
that your people desire it. I do not
believe that the fathers of the boys
IN the State of Maine desire it.
believe that the legal profession is
still great and learned profession,
and L do not believe that you want
by any ill-considered action. to stamp
your approval upon a policy which
means other than that the very highest
judicial minds shall attain to this
position in this State, nor do I be-
lieve that that can be done on a
salary of $1,000 a year. What is the
attraction to the young man to enter
that profession as contrasted with
commerce. with industry, with eX.
ploltation, with the adventures OF
finance? There are men right III
this House l can see whose incomes
from their own work are far in ex.
cess of $500 year. want thi.
court treated today in that Judicial
and judicious way that the court
merits. and I shall hope that yor
gentlemen would give to the com.
mittee report that calm considera.
ton which it surely merits anG
which it absolutely demands. Cap.
plause).
Mr.. HINCKLEY of South Port
land: Mr.. Speaker, I = realize thai
the hour is getting late, but I DE-
want to say just few words to thi.
fine body of men, everyone of whom
| know wants to do the right thing
as he sees it and as he understand.
it; and L know that you will pardon
ME If l say at this time that j hav,
never yet from the floor of this
House spoken from selfish motive
l have never yet spoken in thi
House unless 1 was sincere in tn,
matters, and l never will. My oatl
| of office will not permit me to do it
This is serious matter. The at
torneys are, it is true, in favor of III,
proposition. Attorneys are not al
ways wrong, attorneys are not al
ways selfish; and you men know IL
all fairness that when 4. great crisi
or emergency arises in your town
that there is no man whose aid i,
more quickly sought or who re
spends more readily and gives of hi.
time in that emergency than doe.
the attorney. | wish that ever,
member of this House understood
and appreciated this matter, as tn,
attorney appreciates it. I believ,
gentlemen, that if you understood
the matter. if you appreciated thu
situation, if you understood whar
the supreme court of this State real.
ly is, and what it really means t.
you, there would be unanimou.
vote here this morning I believ.
that if your constituents over the
State understood this matter tina
| they likewise would be unanimous
because when the people of the State
of Maine understand Il proposition
their judgment is always good.
The supreme court of the State o,
Maine for more than one hundred
years has been passing upon the
laws that this Legislature has beer
enacting. The Constitution of. the
State Of Maine is the bulwark of the
State, and every law that is passed
by this body is sooner or later
passed upon by the great supreme
court in the State of Maine. The,
are obliged not only to take o.
Statute law. but to go back to the
laws that have come down in thu
opinions of the justices of the pas
from Massachusetts, back into Eng.
land and back to the old Roman law
We have all been proud of the su.
preme court of the State of Maine
and the opinions and decisions Of
this court are held in as high esteem
and as high regard as the opinion:
of any court in this world.
Now, gentlemen, what is the SUI.
preme court? 1t is that body of mer
that has in its hands your property
my property, every dollar of prop.
erty in the entire State. It is tina,
great body of men that stands be,
tween your rights and my rights. II
is that body of men that protects
life itself; and in these days, gentle.
men, when the world is so upset
when unrest is apparent everywhere
when anxiety is in the breast OF
every thinking human being, is it moi
time to retain a court of the high
est caliber to stand between us anC
the laws which we have made? And
gentlemen, think of it from a none.
tary standpoint. After thinking
what it is, be honest with yourselves
and realize this, that this great su.