DECLINE OF THE JUDGES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2519, 8 February 1887, Page 2

DECLINE OF THE JUDGES.

Beferririg to the Adams-Coleridge' oase, a London correspondent of the Argus, says it reminds one .of the singular and exceedingly regrettable ! chango which has come over publf feeling in regard to the*'judges, of the land," as they were once fondly find proudly designated, formerly the custom was to extol them as almost superhuman embodiments'of acumen, wisdom, discretion, r kindness, anddignity, Now it is the fashifc to deride and criticise them. Amdijtha many cases which have conduced to this, the Coleridge scandal, .including the strange conduct of Mr Justice Manisty (adds the writer) must, I think be reckoned. The death of a Judge, two years ago, on circuit, under the most infamous and revolting cir-. cumstances, is another. There is again a general impression than in the first Dilke trial Mr Justice Butt passed over a virtual contempt •of hie Court in order to shield a-political and Club friend. . Finally, ther&was, not long ago, the isale of Serjeant's lan ]£ the.Judges.ahd otbeivaerjeapts, pocketed'the'pro6e6ai";''j\Efere were men who, in the virtue of atyeckucal right, sold for their priyate ; .benefit a public institution of; -immemorial antiquity, of which they v 'las)eh'ed to b8 the transient owners; The public naturally concluded thai;, Buch'. persons have rather less than ,the" 1 , average of morality and publio spirit.' ,