The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-10-07
COLORFUL PERSONALITY AND JUDICIAL
HABITS OF JUDGE BOURQUIN ARE NOTED
Seattle Sits Up and Takes Notice of the Montana When
He Walks Down the Street and When He Conducts His
Tribunal

Judge George NJ. Bourquin, federal
Judge of this district, sitting temper
arily in the circuit court at Seattle,
has attracted much attention at that
city as indicated by articles published
in the Seattle papers. His personali-
ty and his way of conducting court,
both highly distinguished by original
characteristics. In an article publish
ed by the Seattle Times the following
was contained:
And when Federal Judge George
NJ. Bourquin of Montana, slender,
erect, tall, dignified and impressive,
takes his regular morning constitu-
tional through the downtown streets
of the city, it recalls to mind the old
army Characterization of the north
west service men. This is because
Judge Bourquin without doubt is one
of the most striking figures to be
seen on Seattle streets, as well as
being one of the most colorful fig
ures on the federal bench in the west.
A coal miner, a receiver of "ublic
moneys, a state court judge and then
a federal judge, Judge Bourquin's his
tory has been one as full of color as
his decisions and his actions on the
bench. He looks the part. He dresses
the part. Always CARRIED in a long
tailed Prince Albert Goa, carrying a
heavy gold-headed cane and wearing a
derby the Montana jurist with his
soldiery carriage and his easy, swing
ing marching step is a figure to COM
mand attention anywhere.
A leonine head on top of the tall,
erect, slender frame, sets off the pic
ture, and this is emphasized when the
judge is on the bench.
Many Stories Told.
Many are the stories told of this
colorful jurist. These stories are ali
illustrative of his demand that the
federal courts to be held in the high
est respect and regard, and he de-
mands that the dignity of the courts
never be lowered.
When Judge Bourquin sits in Seat
tie, he demands immediate anC
prompt attention of attorneys appear
ing in the business at hand and woe
betide the counselor at law who is
tardy in keeping his appointments.
1t was not so long ago that the
court convened and no representa-
tive of the United States district at
tOrneys office was present to pre-
sent to the court a matter then pend
ing.
Court will recess until 10 o'cloci
tomorrow morning." Judge Bourouii
ruled. ct is not becoming to tn,
court that it cool its heels while rep
resentatives of the government wall
up and down the corridors smokina
cigarettes.
''The representatives of the govern
ment have no more standing in thi
court than has any other member o
the bar" Judge Bourquin has fire
quently cautioned the United State
attorneys office. "They have n
more rights than the prisoner befor
the court. This is a court of justice.
His attitude towards congestir~ tn
calendar with scores of minor liquC
cases is we'll known.
Police Court Cases.
"Police court cases should be hand
ed as SUCH" he has frequently sal,
And this is how he handles them.
In his decision Judge Bourquin fir,
quently quotes from the Bible, an
this is true of his remarks from tt
bench. A keen scholar, Judge BOul
quin has a wonderful vocabulary an
his written opinions are masterpiece
of clear, concise language, with
touch of irony and humor runnin
through them.
In a recent. ruling on an admiralt
case, the judge opened his write
opinion with: "From the stand-poil
of man situated 600 miles inland az
several thousand feet above sea level
and again he interpretated what ]
considered reasonable doubt" in
masterpiece of irony, hurting h
thunderbolts at members of the CT
cult court and what he termed "tl
Oregon School of Law"
They tell the story of how Juda
Bourquin, whose son is a state juds
in Butte, greets this member of Il
family when they meet in public
is Good morning, Judge Bourquin