The public has been amused to astonishment during the week
by the 'vagaries of Mr. Ramshay, the County Court Judge at Liverpool. That gentleman has been dealing with the newspaper Fess and its abettors, in his limited sphere, after the model of the French and Austrian Governments. It is impossible to describe his freaks with perfect 'gravity, and the literal statements of the reporter convey a more lively impression of what is ludicrous about them than any comments can. As the eccentricities of Mr. Ranishey are unprecedented among the County Court Judges, it is reasonable to suppose that these appointments have generally been conferred with due regard to the -fitness of the candidates. Yet there must he a natural tendency to regard tribunals which deal only with litigationi respecting small sums as of inferior moment to the great law courts, and hence a degree of laxity may arise in the nomination of their judges. The power of removing a judge will only be exercised in extreme cases ; it consequently affords but an imperfect guarantee for the propriety of his conduct. The absurdity of Mr. Ramshay's deportment under the influence of exasperation against a local newspaper editor, would scarcely be held to warrant his removal ; yet it must have destroyed all con- fidence in his judgments. The only safeguard appears to be in elevating the dignity of the courts, and thus rendering the county judgeships an object of attraction to lawyers of the highest charac- ter. This may be done by extending their jurisdiction. The ex- periment of courts with simple, expeditions, and economical forms of business, having succeeded in causes of small values, may safely be tried in causes of any amount. In Scotland, the jurisdiction of the Sheriffs is unlimited in all causes relating to chattel property. The bar of Westminster have expressed their readiness to practise in the cheap courts : with an intelligent bar and good judges, it cannot be dangerous to intrust them with the power of deciding in all causes. When the jurisdiction of the County Courts is thus extended, open competition for the judgeships will afford the best safeguard against favouritism or jobbing in the appointments.
