THE MARTIN SCANDAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12402, 16 January 1901, Page 7

THE MARTIN SCANDAL.

A WELLINGTON OPINION. THE FALL OF A JUDGE. Ini a leading article, published on Monday, the “New Zealand Times” says:— The statement made this morning that Mr J. C. Martin, who occupied the position of a Judge of the Supremo Court, is implicated in a grave social scandal will doubtless be received with astonishment, pain and regret. When the rumour first gained ground lit Was regarded as _ a fabrication, and it was only when the circumstances were related that the assertions respecting Mr Martin’s conduct became acceptable as true. His many friends in this city and throughout New Zealand will be shocked by the news, and the whole colony will be scandalised as jt has never been before. It seems utterly incredible. Here was a man admired and respected by thousands, honoured in public life, and esteemed in his private relations, a man of mature judgment and the father of a family, a man who bad by industry and merit risen to one of the most honourable and envied positions in the State, who, in a weak moment, cast to the four winds of heaven the cherished ambitions of aj lifetime, and all that sane men hold dearest and most sacred. Such conduct in a man pi Mr Martin’s training and culture is utterly unaccountable. His career was one series of successes. He had wealth and position. His youthful aspirations and the ambitions of his early manhood had all been attained. Yet, under the impulse of some strange hallucination, Mr Martin commits what may wifi be termed social and moral suicide. Some may endeavour to find an explanar tion for his conduct in affirming that too much success bad turned his head. It may now be assorted that the elevation of a middle-aged man to the Supreme Court Bench was a mistake; and some may go the length of saying he lacked that Steadiness and judgment which only come to men with years and experience. Some of his decisions may have been open to criticism, but to say that they displayed any weakness that may account for the occurrence which is announced this morning is altogether too ridiculous. His appointment as a Judge was applauded on all sides, and whatever the moral obloquy with which he has now covered himself in one act, it does .not. affect his legal acumen and judicial deliverances. Previously, no one could have pointed the finger of scorn to Mr Martin as being guilty of any misbehaviour,. socially or morally. . From his boyhood his life has been as open as the day, and his present infatuation must be ascribed to that form of madness which has h e en known to have transformed in a moment the careers of the most honoured of men and women. In the interests of this country and its people we regret the downfall of Mr Martin, and for the sake of' those who counted him as a friend we would prefer to obliterate from memory any remembrance of an act •so utterly unworthy of him as a man .and so out of unison with the otherwise estimable character he had presented to the world.

MB MARTIN’S SUCCESSOR. [Feom Oue Coeeespondent.] DUNEDIN, Jan. 15. The “Star” urges the Cabinet to at once proceed! to fill Mr Martin’s place, as the business of the Arbitration Count has too long suffered from changes in the presidentship, and the work has drifted. Discussing claims of likely aspirants, it says that the choice of Ministers' will be between Messrs Theo. Cooper, Stringer and Fred. Chapman. Were it a question of merely adding to the Supreme Court Bench, the probabilities' are that Mr Cooper would receive the appointr ment, since it is understood in legal circles that he has an undoubted claim which Ministers are willing to recognise, but he is not disposed to undertake the duties pertaining to the presidentship of the. Arbitration Court, which, involves a large amount of travelling imi visiting various centres. Much for the same reason it js understood that Mr Stringer is indisposed to give up the emolument of his present position.' All things, considered, the “ Star ” thinks t-bat Mr Chapman has the best chance, 'and has no Hesitation in saying that he would make a;n exceEent president of the Arbitration Court, having proved his special capacity in the' position off chairman of the* Conciliation Board, where his conscientious and painstaking discharge of his duties has given the greatest satisfaction to the panties engaged in disputes submitted for settlement.