Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1887 — Harsh Judges. [ARTICLE]

Harsh Judges.

I was taken frequently when a boy into the different criminal courts of the metropolis, and while there still exist great anomalies and many serious imperfections, there can be no doubt that the machinery is much improved since those days. Among the changes is that in cases of felony, involving as they did then in many, I might say most of them, the penalty of death, counsel were not permitted to address the jury, and a theory was in many quarters triumphantly enunciated that the judge was the prisoner’s counsel. Such fact, however, was scarcely discoverable by an unscientific observer, and the demeanor of some judges certainly produced a different impression. Baron Gurney, whom I remember well, exhibited great harshness of manner and considerable impatience, but this probably arose from his own rapidity of perception, and certainly not from any innate cruelty of mind. He extended much kindly hospitality to the junior members of the bar, and he is the last of the old gentlemen that I remember Who in his own house received his guests in knee-breeches and silk stockings.— Sergt. Ballantyne, in Temple Bar.