1940.02.14"The Berry Bramble Down the Lane" by Max P. Milians

1940.02.14 “The Berry Bramble Down the Lane”
by Max P. Milians (1907-2005)
11.5 x 14.5 in., ink of board
Coppola Collection

Milians signed his cartoons with nine zeros (“millions”) as an underline. His work was syndicated across America from the 1930s up until the 1970s.

Public trust is literally torn up as it passes through the “bramble” of New Jersey’s bench and bar, involving the improper relationships between judges and lawyers.

On February 14, Chancellor Luther A. Campbell, a top judicial officer in New Jersey, responded to concerns about conflicts of interest involving vice chancellors. 

His investigation was based on disclosures that Vice Chancellor Maja Leon Berry was a co-maker and co-endorser of a $100,000 note with the late Merritt Lane and eight other lawyers while Mr. Lane and some of the other lawyers were practicing before him.

Campbell declared there was no wrongdoing, although he announced a new ethical rule barring judges from hearing cases involving personal or business connections.

Legal technicalities and reassurances are somewhat meaningless when the damage to public trust is visible.