Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 November 1904 — Rebuking a Judge. [ARTICLE]

Rebuking a Judge.

A certain New York judge lias a habit ’ which sometimes annoys Members of tlie bar who appear before him, particularly young men, of talking to ills associates on Hie bench while the lawyers are delivering their speeches, but however exasperated they may he the lawyers have not. as a rule, the | boldness to complain, for they recognize the power of the court. An eminent lawyer of New York, however, set them an example, lie was about to make the closing speech in a highly important ease. Forty minutes had been allotted him for the purpose. He had scarcely uttered a dozen words when the judge wheeled round in his ehair and began a discussion with his associate on the bench. The lawyer ceased speaking immediately, folded his arms and gazed steadily at the judges. A hush fell upon the courtroom. The offending judge, noticing the stillness, turned and looked inquiringly at the silent advocate. “Your honor,” said tlie lawyer, ”1 have just forty minutes in which to make my final argument. I shall not only need every second of that time to do injustice, 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 others who witnessed it.