“Well, I will tell you,” replied the other, “I am alluding to the affair with Resident van Gulpendam.”
“Who would persist in presiding over the trials, which he had no right whatever to do.”
“Come, come, my dear friend,” said the Chief Justice, “you must be losing sight of clause 92 of our Judicial regulations. But, I ascribe that want of memory to your mental condition.”
“Pardon me,” interrupted Mr. Zuidhoorn warmly, “the condition of my mind has nothing whatever to do with it. You said clause 92?”
“Precisely so,” replied the Chief Justice, “that clause confers upon the Resident the power of presiding at any session which may be held within his district, should he think it right and proper so to do.”
“I know that,” answered Zuidhoorn, “but pray remember, that when that 92nd clause was in force, there was as yet no thought of appointing specially qualified lawyers to the presidential office. At that time such a regulation may have been useful and even necessary; but, as matters stand now, it would be an utter absurdity for any Resident who is a layman, to put aside the specially appointed president in order to thrust himself upon a court of justice in the capacity of chairman. Methinks that—”
“Mr. Zuidhoorn, allow me to say, that we judges ought to be the very first to show strict respect to the written law. Certain rules and regulations may appear useless or even mischievous; but so long as they remain in force, we are bound to abide by them. And—pardon me the question—have you in this particular case acted up to that principle?”
“It seems to me then,” said Zuidhoorn, “that you do not approve of my line of conduct?”
“Not only do I disapprove of it,” replied the Chief Justice, “but the Governor General also is extremely annoyed at the attitude you have chosen to assume in this case. In his opinion the line of conduct you have thought it right to adopt has seriously impaired the prestige which ought to belong to your position.”
“Oh, indeed! is that his Excellency’s opinion?” asked Mr. Zuidhoorn musingly. “Now I begin to see why I have not been admitted to an audience.”