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ADMARIN1RA8 LION OF THE
LA W.
TJ THE EDITOR.
Snre,-Your leading abticle of the 3rd
inst. on this subject is one of much impor
tance, and embraces a wide circle for
thoughtful consideration. It is one of the
weak features of responsible government
the appointment by political organisation
to the position of Attorney-General, which
is not made by merit or superior qualifi.
cations, ubt simply to supply a want which
must be found by the party coming into
office, to complete what is termed the
Executive Government. BS this fallacious
arrangement young men who have really
established no claim to reputation step
over the heads of those in their profession
to become the lawful advisers and leading
authority of tihe Crown and the whole legal
fraternity. Naturally they can only be
puppets, guided and directed by the
subordinates in the office over which they
rule; otherwise they must be indigenous
plants, born with the mark of an Atborney
General on their foreheads. Such political
savants must be subject almost daily to all
sorts of intrigue, and it is impossible for
them to hold or give an independent
opinion, as they must be influenced by
their party and act directly in their
interests. This is the sort of education
they receive, until at last the mind of such
individuals might be balanced on a straw.
Although they are the paid servants of the
people, with all the perquisites of office,
they are not above taking a fee if they can
enter the cord "legitimate" into the con
cern, over which they might be called in
their official capacity to adjudicate.
These gentlemen consider they hold a
first-class claim to promotion, and with
modest audacity-a professional instinct
aspire to be judges. Is it any wonder
that " there has always existed the pretext
upon which adverse criticism could be
founded," justly or unjustly, when the
antecedents of those concerned can be read
in the recorded history of their country ?
Until the cause is removed and the whole
structure is built on a nobler design we can
scarcely expect that purity and indepen
dence which are so important in the ad
ministration of juetice, although, as a
matter of course, there are many honour
able exceptions.-Yours, etc.,
Nov. 4. DiroxoAcY.
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