THE MAJESTY OF LAW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1074, 25 July 1912, Page 4

THE MAJESTY OF LAW.

The ways of American law courts arc peculiar, and it is hinted sometimes that their peculiarities are due in many cases to the anxiety of the “judges' for publicity. the fetish of thousands of American citizens. If there is any truth in dm suggestion. Judge Beeman, who presides over a court, at Sterling, a town of Illinois, must be happy in the knowledge that, lie has achieved, national fame. Tim Judge, whoso position'is equivalent, to that of a. Justice of the Peace, was lidding a court' recently when Mrs Beeman entered the building and sealed herself, she intended, the local newspapers stales, to wait for her husband, who had promised to go shopping with her. A young man of prepossessing appearance, according to the same authorities, was being tried for disorderly conduct. Tito Judge, with a dutiful remembrance ol his promise, hurried through the case and lined the young man £2. The defendant, however, "had no money, and the Judge promptly ordered him to be locked up. Airs Beeman took exception to the decision, and shouted : “That’s an outrage.’' “Silence I’ thundered the Judge majestically, glaring hard at his offending spouse, but the lady refused to he silenced. She was proceeding to a.rgne with (he Judge when he threatened to tine her for contempt of the court. Still the lady was obduraim and in a- few moments the courtroom was in an uproar. Apparently Airs Beeman had been used to getting the better of discussions nitlt Imr husband by her • ’."it fireside, anil she would not. be suppressed. Finally she shouted; “You think you'll l clever, yon silly old buffer. Wait- till you get borne.” 'Then the Judge arose in the majesty of his wt'afh anil lined Ill's wife £5. She defied the court to collect. the line, and the angry Judge instructed the bailiff to take her into custody and lock her up if the hue were not paid within an hour. Mrs Beeman was led from the room sobbing hysterically, amt a few minutes, later she paid ihc tine and was released from custody. iter husband, of course, was by that, time a. national hero.