Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-01-20

suppose mat tnty Wouiu TAKE hn6ie s"P' " ~ l
were aware Of the fact, which would in the leas,
retard the wheels of justce and they intend to d.
tba. which, 10 use the words Of one Of them, IS
bout right, we most seriously believe. But igno>l
rant ns they VIGOROUSLY are, OF the law, and. in too
many cases, Of the language they utter, eau it b'
supposed that they can deal out justice and Law
with an impartial hand'
OF all the Office. which men enjoy, none are SO
highly responsible those OF judges of justice
aud hence il necessarily follows, that those who Hi
them. should not only be honorable, hut learned
men-capable of expoundins the law. and OF All
minstering justice to their appellants. And it's
asked, 10 sober seriousness, il the Rhode Island
Courts presided by men OF this description
if there is the Bench OF either OF our
Courts, who can justly be pronounced competent to
discharge the task assigned him
The fact is, our Courts have been occupied by
py, and who but for the circumstance of the exist
ence Of rancorous party spirit, would never have
been elevated to the posts Of responsibility they
enjoy 1t svain to reason or to argue on this sub
ject-the whole sytem is d rotten one it was con-
wed in ignorance-it has been psrpetuated by
partizan zeal and selfish stubborness and has alrea.
dy brought the State and the people into contempt
II is not necessary to advert to the thousand in
stances Of gross ignorance Of iluw and of common
sense, which has been displayed by the gentlemen
ofthe Bench-t is only necessary TO say, that they
have from time immemorial been governed by the
Bar, and in numerous instances they have been
known to appeal to the gentlemen Of the green
bag" for advice and instruction, when called upon
to decide on some legal question of dispute.
Situated as our Courts now are, they worse
than useless-they are pest and plague spot to
'he people-and instead Of exciting our veneration
they call forth our contempt.
| An attempt to introduce a reformation in our ju
dcial plan, has Of late been made by gentleman
who, though young in his legislative career, has
evinced manliness, spirit Of Independence and OF
political sasacity. which will, although his plan:
may not succeed, en,itle him to the respect and
good will of every lover of justice, and Of every
candid mind. We allude 10 our townsman and
able Representative, Mr.. JOSEPH l.. TILLINo-
HAST, who, though he has just entered in the paths
Of oflegislstve life, has come forward as the mani
defender of the peoples interest /; and throwing
aside the fears which too often fill the bosom Of the
legislator, and which silence the voices of those who
would " purchase golden opinions from all sorts o
men," has raised his voice for reformation. tn.
plan conceived by this gentleman, if it should
ceed, will, We doubt not, be found happy in its ope
ratons-conducve to the test interests OF the Stat,
and we'll calculated to meet the appreciation .
the people.
As might have been expected, this gentleman
proposal was met at the very threshold, by "fre
brand and missile,' and through the management o
men Of influence, it has, for the present, been de
ieated. A tremendous outcry about extravagan
salaries, has been made and, if We were to believe
those who opposed the bill we .houli be inclined t.
the belief, that the State of Rhcde- nd is 81
completely poverty stricken, that she is unable t
pay judge-one learned in the lava mere nom
: inal living salary.
At the sound of the enormous sum Of eight hun
dred dollars, to he paid to man capable of di.
charging the duties OF Chief Justice of the Suprem
Court, some of the gentlemen of the Senate wer
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES appalled-and they SCENE
to think that if Mr.. Tilinghasts project succeed
ed, the whole state would be involved in irremej
: | BILE ruin.
Eight hundred dollars per annum, for the com
}. pensaton Of a single Judge said they-what extrs
If vagance! what proaigacy! the people will be ruin
ed! And yet, If at the same moment these very pa
: riotic men, who have the peoples interests nea
:. TO their hearts, offered the Office, athoug
conscious that they were utterly incapable Of di
charging its duties, would have accepted it.
much for their disinterestedness--so much for the
patriotism!
The Rhode Island Judiciary ought to be re. M
delled-and it will be-and, as we trust, at no di
tant period; for if it is not, the time wU com
:, when the people will be compelled TO resort
some other tribunals for the adjudication Of the
disputes.
ofl When 30 much j, involved, as there is in III
subject it would be objectionable in the press
,e refuse its influence however feeble it may be;
it becomes all Of us "savins and .xcepting" tho
% who are tied down, and bound, by their alegianc
10 to obey the will Of few and their parasites,
D. mpzzle themselves, lest they should give offence
l those Eew who nv the ms mn oement of evtraort