Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1893 — Made the Judge Listen. [ARTICLE]

Made the Judge Listen.

Judge Van Brunt of New York has a habit which sorely distresses members of the bar who appear before him, particularly young men, of talking to his associates on the bench while the lawyers are delivering their speeches. Mr. Choate was about to make the closing speech in a highly important case recently. Forty minutes had been allotted him for the purpose. He had scarcely uttered a dozen words when Judge Van Brunt wheeled around in his chair and began a discussion with Judge Andrews. Mr. Choate ceased speaking immediately, folded his arms and gazed steadily at the Judges, his handsome face a trifle paler than usual. A hush fell upon the courtroom. Judge Van Brunt, noticing the stillness, turned around and looked inquiringly at the silent advocate. “Your honor,” said Mr. Choate, “I have just forty minutes in which to make my final argument. I shall not only need every second of that time to doit justice, but I shall also need your undivided attention.” “And you shall have it,” promptly responded the Judge, at the same time acknowledging the justice of the rebuke by a faint flush on his cheeks. It was an exhibition of genuine courage, but one that was more fully appreciated by members of the profession than by the laymen who witnessed it.—[New York Tribune.