Do you know why referees need a gavel?
Miscellaneous / / June 05, 2023
And how this tool is connected with the Masonic lodges.
One of the symbols of the judiciary is a small ceremonial mallet with a figured handle made of wood. They are hit on a special stand when they make a decision or call for order. But how did this item appear in the courtroom and why is it needed there?
In general, the tradition of knocking with a hammer came from the United States. True, initially it was associated not with the judiciary, but with the legislative branch of government. It is believed that the first used the hammer for the call for silence was US Vice President John Adams. It happened at the first meeting of the Senate in New York in 1789. And only later this custom migrated to the courts.
But why did US senators develop a love for hammers? It's hard to say, but Stephen O'Neill, historian and curator at the Social Law Library in Boston, suggestswhat is it related to freemasonry.
Here fans of conspiracy theories will unanimously say: “We knew it!” And put on their tinfoil hats.
Prominent US figures such as George Washington, Ben Franklin and many other founders of the country, indeed were members of the Masonic brotherhood that appeared in Europe in the 1700s. Then it was fashionable, you know, like now all sorts of hobby groups, where you can meet respected people, look at others and show yourself off.
Freemasons claimed that their fraternity came from the guilds of medieval stonemasons. Therefore, they had a weakness for various building tools. For example, some lodges used as its sign, a hammer-trowel is a wooden trowel that was used to set stones in masonry. A blow to them opened and ended the meetings of the lodge. It was about this shape.
So, are all judges in the USA hidden Masons? This is unlikely, because most of them are trite with a hammer... do not use. They do not have laws that require them to strike with this instrument and shout: “Silence in the hall!”
For example, Judge John Bailey Jr. of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia once toldthat in his office there are three hammers donated by friends. And at home there is another one - on fireplace shelf. But at work, he simply does not need them.
And his colleague Jeffrey Alprin confessedthat in 21 years of judicial practice he never resorted to the help of a hammer. In those cases when lawyers at a meeting completely forgot about decency, he called them to order with his voice and occasionally slapped his palm on the table.
Where did the myth come from that judges swing their gavel all the time? From court programs and crime serials that are constantly shown on TV. This tool helps create atmosphere of "plausibility and realism". But in real courts it is not needed. So it's just a movie prop.
In Russia, the symbols of the judiciary are mantle, coat of arms and flag of the country, but not a gavel. True, many judges, having seen enough of the mentioned programs and series, buy hammers on their own initiative - just for solidity.
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