The other asks, "Is there any justification in law for doing this desirable thing ?" and, having thus sought and found a legal justification, what the public good demands is done.

I hold it to be the first duty of a public officer to obey the law.

But I hold it to be his second duty, and a close second, to do everything the law will let him do for the public good, and not merely what the law compels or directs him to do.
It is the right as well as the duty of a public officer to be zealous in the public service.

That is why the public service is worth while.

To every public officer the law should be, not a goad to drive him to his duty, but a tool to help him in his work.