Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 25.pdf/260

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The Editor's Bag There is no evidence that he ever crossed the Channel. FOR THE PROMOTION OF JUS TICE EVERY man, woman and child cries for justice. It appears to be the crying need of all time. As private and public justice outside of ethics and easy principles of morals is administered through court and lawyer, whatever the profession will discuss during this year will be of interest. For the first time in the history of national organizations, the American Bar Association is going to set a national precedent when the thirty-sixth annual meeting of the association is held outside of the United States, in Montreal, Sept. 2 to 4. Former Premier Laurier of Canada gave the assurance that scarcely a nobler ideal would be the union of the two countries. The chief topics for discussion at this meeting of the bar will be practically the same as in state bar associations. Former President William H. Taft may probably deliver the annual address; and there is a pos sibility that he may be the next president of the association. The twenty-eighth conference of the International Law Association, on in vitation of the Spanish government, will be held at Madrid, beginning on Sept. 22. The president of this asso ciation was the lamented prime minister of Spain, Canalejas, who was assassi nated. The Marquis of Alhucemas, late minister of foreign affairs, has been chosen to succeed to the presidency of the association. The proceedings in this international body of lawyers and jurists are governed largely by what the dif ferent countries of the world deem most important to justice. Committees will report on evidence, foreign judgments, aviation, divorce jurisdiction, etc.

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Justice has been said to be the in surance which we have on our lives and property; to which may be added, and obedience is the premium which we pay for it. A BUSINESS JUDGE MANY stories are told of a certain well-known and highly respected judge in Missouri, who wastes no time in vexatious delays. Some time ago he was called to St. Louis to try a case. After hearing evidence all day, he adjourned the court until eight o'clock in the morning. "Eight o'clock, your honor!" said one of the St. Louis attorneys. "Why, in the city our judges never begin to hold court until ten o'clock." "Well," said the judge, "if you must have country judges, you must bear with country ways. Court will meet at eight o'clock while I am on the bench." And the court did. On another occasion he granted a change of venue from St. Louis to Cooper County. The defendant's counsel, an ex-Governor, had looked up the regular terms of court in the Cooper County circuit, and found that there was no regular term for some months. As he was anxious for delay, the lawyer was much surprised when, after granting the change of venue, the judge said, "I will set this case for a week from next Monday." "But, your honor, there is no term of court in Boonville for several months." "You are mistaken, Governor," said the judge. "I live in Boonville, and hold court at any time. Moreover, the Constitution guarantees a speedy trial, and I am sworn to support the Constitu tion." But a speedy trial was just what the Governor did not want for his client, and so he continued: