The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1903. A STRONG INDIOTMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 125, 28 May 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1903. A STRONG INDIOTMEN.

Commenting on the extraotdinary proceedings at the rectnt trial of William Richardson, on a ch.rge of crimiaal libel, the Aueklai.d Herald says: - " The feeling of th 9 community at large is one of strong indignation, mingled with profound regret; indignation that i Law Court, which a'l good citizens earnestly wish to respect and see re sp9ctod, has been mockid and scsrned ; rdgrei that a wearer of the ermine t whom is entrusted the sacred office tf main'aining civil ordjr according to s:atute, has b?en hoptlessly unable t ■naintaiu deseccy and order within bis own Court-room. It is a goad and hoaourable custom that both press and public sha'l abstain from light and card ss criticism upon the official man tier of a Judge, But there come o:oisions when silence is more reprehensible than frank speech. Pjr Mr Justin •Jonolly as a man we have the higbes isteem, He asserts the k.w as hj? understands it. He catnoli ba tru h tully charged with any conMou* for justice or with an) wilful neglect of the interests ol ruth and cquiiy. But the pro oeedings which ho has tolerated and permitted during the bng-drawnou wrangle, which is termed a trial, should ot, and cinnot, be allowed to go unrem«ked. For they make of Liw a jest, >i arrangement a farce, of trial a harlequicadt). If all Courts were as th'& one has been, if all trials were as this one has beeD, we should not b\ as we .re and wish to be, a law-respecting md law-loving people. Of this his Honor must be pithetically aware. irm?d with all the p >wer which we l!ow to our judges, versed in a'i the traditions tf a prcui and noble tt.jnch, cu3todian of an iu houty b) *hich prin?e3 have beeu taught ibedience, he his been bearded, b*dand insulted with inpunifcymd in his person the law itsa!f. ; Never in the history of our col ;ny —we honestly believe Dever in the history cf )ur Br.ti-h Law—has there bean such i pitifull exhibition of w.aknes-. Much more could be said. With unsigned regret we have baea force! tu she conclusioa that it is impossible to i «y less."