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Memoir of the Life of the Honorable William Blowers Bliss - Page 31

Judges of the Supreme Court were made to pay the costs of all their erroneous decisions they would not have enough to pay for the coats on their backs."

Such a statement to a Judge in the face of the Court was of course a high contempt for which the Judge had the power to severely punish the magistrate by fine or imprisonment. Judge Bliss however said nothing, no doubt feeling that he had gone too far in making the observation he did.

As a further illustration of the masterly way in which he upheld the dignity, and decorum of the Court an old barrister relates that when first starting in his career, he was pitted in a case tried before Judge Bliss, against an able lawyer of rather bumptious character. In opening his address to the jury, this lawyer instead of remaining in his place, went to the front of the jury box emphasizing his speech by pounding the rail in front of the jury. Judge Bliss observing this sternly said to him, "Mr. —, take your place at the Bar, sir, and address the jury." There was a moment of hesitation on the part of the barrister, but one look at the Judge was enough, and he quietly resumed his proper place continuing his speech. On the same trial my informant says his opponent called a witness to the stand and to his surprise and dismay Judge Bliss recognized him as an old servant, shook hands with him inquiring about himself and family. As it was a question of disputed facts, he thought this looked bad for his side fearing that the Judge’s faith in his old servant might unconsciously influence his mind, but all fears on that score were dispelled when the Judge came to address the jury. His charge was so clear, every word of evidence so clearly sifted, and explained without the semblance of bias that he eventually won his verdict.

Another somewhat amusing instance of the fearless mode in which he dispensed justice, and let down even leaders of the Bar is told. A very eminent Counsel was endeavouring to set aside a conviction made by a magistrate for the illegal sale of liquor. After patiently hearing the case to the end Judge Bliss

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