Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1889 — Sharp Criticism. [ARTICLE]

Sharp Criticism.

The Hon. Henry W. is one of the most prominent members of the Boston Bar, did not entertain the greatest respect for the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, as it was at one time constituted. His opinion of it may be gathered from some of the sharp* remarks attributed to him by the Green Bag: . Once, when asked his opinion of the wisdom of appointing a certain person of acknowledged ability to that bench, he replied, “It would be like letting a ray of light into a cave of bats.” On another occasion, while arguing a case before the court, he made a statement of the law as he understood it to be. He was interrupted by one of the judges with the remark, “Mr. Paine, you know that is not law.” “It w as law until your Honor spoke, ” replied Mr. Paine. One afternoon, as he was riding in a Cambridge horse-car, reading a book bound in sheep, a friend remarked to him, “Ah, Mr. Paine, I see that you are reading law.” “No, sir,” was the reply, “I am not reading law r ; lam reading the last volume of the ‘Massachusetts Reports.’” He was much annoyed on one occasion, when trying a case in court, by the constant and apparently uncalled' for interruptions of the presiding judge. Finally he stopped short, slowly gathered up his papers, and started to leave the court-room. “Stop, sir!” cried the judge, angrily. “Are you doing this to show your contempt for the court ?” “No, your Honor!” replied Mr. Paine; “I was retiring in order to conceal my contempt.”