In downtown New Martinsville is a structure made of hand cut sandstone, the Wetzel County Court house. For over 125 years it has stood as the tallest structure in the county. The cornerstone was set in 1901, and has supported its corner of the building through cold winters, extreme heat waves, and disastrous floods.

Out of sight below the building is the basement. It has played many roles during its long history. At one time, you could have your haircut and get your shoes shined. There was a time the cool space was to be used as an air raid and fallout shelter. There are and were rooms where records were stored. But whatever the subterranean center was, it never had any permanent position in the building’s business due to one thing, waters from a flooding river.

The main floor is the heart of the grand old building. Each day those elected and those employed, go about the business of serving the citizens, and managing the affairs of the county. Most people know it’s the place where tax papers originate from the assessor’s office, and the monies collected in the sheriff’s office pay those debts. Many of us know it is where elections within the county begin and end. It is the place of the Justices’ administrative group in the Circuit Clerk’s office, the life blood of the court system. All these agencies work together for the betterment of the people and justice for others.

The real character of the building lives and breathes on the second floor. On the west side of the building overlooking the passing Ohio River, is the center of justice, and administering of the laws of the state and county. The true ability of any civilization is the laws man has given to himself, to live in a world of others. Without the justice system, we would be reduced to gunfights at high noon in the middle of Main Street. Or even worse, lynch parties or those who seek vigilante justice without reason or facts. Fortunately, the laws are given by man to himself and administered justly by court systems.

Recently I have attended political events where those in office, and those wanting to be there, spouted how they are believers in justice.

“The laws are written and it is our obligation to administer them just as written.”

That narrow view is wrong. We were given the basis for our laws by the writers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. But while there are those who believe in strict interpretation of the law, their own, that is not what the founding fathers wanted.

The builders of our country saw within themselves the possibility for law to be miss-interpreted by future lawmakers.

Hamilton said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”

Those dangers could exist at higher levels of justice, and even in legislative branches. Our forefathers knew not all men were created equal, when allowed to interpret laws. Over two-hundred and fifty years ago, they knew laws would have to grow and be redefined with each generation. Redefining is what they intended, not reinterpretation. Justice and equality are our country’s foundation for justice.

Most every week within the Wetzel County Court room, Judges and lawyers administer the laws given down to them. Prosecutors site laws that apply to cases. Defense lawyers give their interpretation of the same law, and extenuating circumstances that should be considered by the court’s Judges.

On the north wall of the Wetzel County Court Room, hangs a large darkened faded painting, “Justina.” For longer than anyone alive can remember, she has listened to a room where words of law, words of justice and truth have been spoken. She has also heard words of accusation and wrongdoing and false statements. At times, a confusion of words with the truth wrapped somewhere within. A Judge must first preside over his own judgment, and then a jury. His charge behind the bench is to, “ensure the law is applied fairly”, while under the ever-present gaze of Justina. Lady Justina was the goddess of Justice within Roman mythology.

Justina became the symbol for the virtues of justice. Emperor Vespasian minted coins with Justina seated on a throne. Other emperors after him used the image of the goddess to proclaim themselves protectors of justice. A practice some politicians still use today.

Lady Justice has been remade many times. She has as in the portrait in the Wetzel Courtroom been seated with a sword of justice. In other depictions she has stood tall with a sword and scales in hands. And at times she has worn a blind fold, this is to show justice should be blindly applied to all equally. Today she has no blind fold. Perhaps an omen to what the founding fathers had hoped for.

Our local Judges and legal system must administer the laws to bring justice into our world. Those who hear cases, can not turn off what they have heard behind the bench. Every conceivable detail of horrendous crimes is spread before Judges. And yet, out in the world, lawyer jokes and humor are often directed toward those who serve the law. But the simple truth is, our civilization survives by those men and women who protect us and serve the laws of the land.

Next time you are called to serve your duty for the court, take it to be an honor established 250 years ago. Law of, and for the people, and not dictated by a king or dictator. That is how I see Lady Justice serving the people of Wetzel County Through the Lens.

It is time our county commission brings Lady Justice’s appearance back to its original color, and luster. She has served the people well; it is time we give back her faded beauty.