Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-16
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
SATURDAY, March 4.
JUDGE ESTII


The Speaker laid before the House lei,
ter from Judge Benjamin Eslill, dated Lou.
isville, Feb. 10th, 1887, expressing his sur
prise at the course of the Legislature in re-
terence 10 his absence from the State. The
letter is in the following words:
LOUISVILLE, Goth Feb. 1887.
SIR On my arrival here last night. on
my way hcme, learned, through some
Virginia friends, with noiillIe establishment,
That the Legislature had instituted proceed
ings against me, and had resolved 10 elect a
Judge Tor the 18Th circuit, some time in next
mon'h. Taxing no newspaper, and seldom
seeing one' am at loss to conjecture on
VIA. grounds such proceedings could be had:
for those stated, 10 wit the rumor of The
country, and some newspaper publications,
unconnected with me by any proof, appeared
10 me too absurd to be made The ground OF so
grave judicial proceeding as thai of the re.
moval OF Judge from office.
had heretofore supposed, that Judges
were, by The provisions ofthe constitution
only removable by charges perferred and
served upon them twenty days before trial. or
by impeachment. am on my way home
and expect to arrive in Abingdon, my resi-
dence, IN few days, where shall be ready
10 meet any charges which may be preferred
against me in the constitutional mode and
proceeded against according 10 the constitu-
ton and laws, and protest against being
treated as an absent defendant
have heard that committee of the House
have reported thai, from rumor, had remov-
ed from Virginia, and become citizen of
MlsslssIPpi, and that from some newspaper
puoiicdtlon there was no doubt Of the fact
but whether with The intention of returning
and holding my courts, did moi appear, nor
was the Tact important. This is strange doc
trine 10 me, tor II asserts that Judge IS pre-,
Guided from visiting another State for any
purpose and II eXciIes my special astonish-
menf, that when | visited Kentucky some
years ago 10 see dying daughter, II was moi
'naue the grounds OF legislative proceedings
against me. am aware that Judges are re-
CURED TO reside in their circuit but was not
until now informed that visit on business
or otherwise, 10 another Stale, was violation
OF 'hat or any other law. ffH is, then SUP.
pose lew OF The Judges could hold their seats.
u proceeded against, and still fewer, sup
pose, would be willing TO hold Office by such
a tenure i have also heard that nv cons
duct IN visiting Mississippi, IS reported by
sad committee as derogatory 10 the cbarsC-
Ter of The State-bow, and wherefore. am
not informed, and it IS difficult for me to
conceive, unless it may he derogatory 10 The
Ch'rdCter oi tbe State, 10 afford salaries 10
her Judges so inadequate as 10 compel them
by investment of property elsewhere, TO de-
rive The means Of support. And here take
IeaVe respectfully 10 inquire, which is most
likely 10 derogate from the character of The
State, the unconstitutional and illegal pros-
ecution of member of coordinate branch
OF the Government, by another branch of il,
or The attempt by Judge 10 provide the
means OF supporting and educating his Gami
ly, TO which he has found bis salary. in the
advance OF property and means of living
wholly inadequate ! take leave further 10
ask, how il COMFORTS with law or justice, to
make rumor and newspaper publication, un>
connected with me by any proof, the founda-
lion Of such grave charges against me 4?
In all judicial proceedings 10 be found in any
civilized country, proof is required OF the
existence Of crime, and probable cause to