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'''Judge Narragansett''' (fl. 2011-), in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was a trial [[judge]] who left the bench and vanished after his judgment in a case involving a banker accused of loan discrimination was reversed on appeal. He was one of the earliest [[strike]]rs in the great strike of the men of the mind called by [[John Galt]]. At the end of the narrative, he was preparing some badly-needed corrections, additions, and clarifications to the [[Constitution of the United States]].

'''Judge Narragansett''' ([[floruit|fl.]] 2011-), in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was a trial [[judge]] who left the bench and vanished after his judgment in a case involving a banker accused of loan discrimination was reversed on appeal. He was one of the earliest [[strike]]rs in the great strike of the men of the mind called by [[John Galt]]. At the end of the narrative, he was preparing some badly-needed corrections, additions, and clarifications to the [[Constitution of the United States]].

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== Background ==

== Background ==

The narrative provides no details of Judge Narragansett's background, other than to say that he appears in the novel as a trial judge in a celebrated case, and that case was the occasion of his defection from society. The description of his opinion and charge to the jury in the case of ''Hunsacker v. Mulligan'' (Illinois Superior Court, 2011), and the brief description of his activities in the final chapter, imply that he was a student of [[constitution]]al law. He was probably what is known as a [[strict construction|strict constructionist]], or one who believes that one can only construe things from the Constitution from a strict read of its actual text, without regard to preferences contemporary either to the time of its writing or to today.

The narrative provides no details of Judge Narragansett's background, other than to say that he appears in the novel as a trial judge in a celebrated case, and that case was the occasion of his defection from society. The description of his opinion and charge to the jury in the case of ''Hunsacker v. Mulligan'' (Illinois Superior Court, 2011), and the brief description of his activities in the final chapter, imply that he was a student of [[constitution]]al law. He was probably what is known as a [[strict construction]]ist, or one who believes that one can only construe things from the Constitution from a strict read of its actual text, without regard to preferences contemporary either to the time of its writing or to today.

What he would have made of the runaway [[Constitution]]al convention of 2000, that brought [[Mr. Thompson]] to power, the novel does not hint at. Apparently the runaway convention abolished the federal judiciary but ''not'' any ''State'' judiciaries. Those law courts remained, and Judge Narragansett was determined to enforce the Illinois Constitution, and the bedrock principles of English [[Common Law]] that formed its basis, for as long as his higher-ups in the Appellate Division allowed him.

What he would have made of the runaway [[Constitution]]al convention of 2000, that brought [[Mr. Thompson]] to power, the novel does not hint at. Apparently the runaway convention abolished the federal judiciary but ''not'' any ''State'' judiciaries. Those law courts remained, and Judge Narragansett was determined to enforce the Illinois Constitution, and the bedrock principles of English [[Common Law]] that formed its basis, for as long as his higher-ups in the Appellate Division allowed him.

Judge Narragansett found this man hard to argue with. This man was not a [[lawyer]], but he had presented a case that was virtually impossible to argue with, even ''for'' a lawyer. This man was, of course, [[John Galt]].

Judge Narragansett found this man hard to argue with. This man was not a [[lawyer]], but he had presented a case that was virtually impossible to argue with, even ''for'' a lawyer. This man was, of course, [[John Galt]].

Judge Narragansett did argue the matter with himself for six months, during which time he tried many other cases, some having a similar result. Finally, in November of 2011, he had had enough. John Galt somehow knew that he would "have enough" someday, for in that month Galt paid him yet ''another'' visit in his chambers. Now the judge delayed no longer.

Judge Narragansett did argue the matter with himself for six months, during which time he tried many other cases, some having a similar result. Finally, in November 2011, he had had enough. John Galt somehow knew that he would "have enough" someday, for in that month Galt paid him yet ''another'' visit in his chambers. Now the judge delayed no longer.

== Mulligan's Valley ==

== Mulligan's Valley ==