The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-23
SCENES IN THE WEST.
CHIEF JUSTICE OF GREEN BAY.

CHIEF JUSTICE OF GREEN BAY.
Many advocate the doctrine that "the world
is governed too much;" but we may with pro-
prety ask, what would the world be without gov
ernment? All must acknowledge that to pre-
vent anarchy, confusion, and despotism-to pro-
tect the weaker from the more powerful, the
poorer from the richer, there must be coalition
between the several parts that compose the mass
of socley-a combination of social influence for
mutual benefit and protection. Perhaps the me-
cessty for some kind of administration of justice
is more apparent in a newly settled country,
where the regular formalities Of the law do not
exist, and where high salared officers are un-
known At the present day, the inhabitants of
Oregon must necessarily adopt some plan for the
adjustment of the little difficulties, and the pun
ishment of crimes, which perchance occur. So
it was with the occupants of Wisconsin in the
days Of yore.
Perhaps some of our readers recollect the equ-
table and speedy method of Furnishing offences
committed against the community or individuals
during the reign of his honor Judge Reome, chief
justice of Green Bay, who measured out justice
by the half bushel and gill, as best suited him,
for many years previous to the time the United
States Government took possession of Wisconsin
Territory. That was NOT the golden age, for
gold was as scarce as musqutos in February; SO
scarce indeed, that look at sinner" would
restore sight to the blind, in "doube quick time, =
to speak la militaire. As every body may not
recollect Judge Reome, we will endeavor to de-
scribe him-his character, Office, talents, &C.
for the edihcation of the present generation
Judge Reome was an eccentric genius his age
no one knew, and few cared to encounter his dis
pleasure by venturing an inquiry his broad, oval,
rubicund visage, adorned by carroty- beetish
prnboscis which hung in bold relief; two sinister
looking dark grey orbs, very much resembling in
their fitfu glare the merry peppers of domesti-
Gated old tom cal that formerly "kept house" in
Uncle Ebenezer's barn; not over long, nor yet
very short; round shouldered, and displaying an
excellent state of "corporosity" Such was
Judge Reome, chief justice of Green Bay.
How the venerable Judge, Qor we come to the
conclusion that the description we have given Of
I" His Honor" will inspire the reader with an ex-
ira ratio of Judiciary veneration) became vested
wit his office and title, is more than we know !;
il is believed, however, that his father was APP
pointed TO exercise the duties of an Arbitrator, by
the French Government, when in possession of
Canada, and that the sou, acting upon the same
principle by which Queen Vic sways the sceptre
of England's destinies, succeeded as the "next of
kim" BE this as it may, (for it is mere conjec-
ture,) it is well known, that, at the time the Uni
ted States came into the possession of Wiscon-
sin, which was in 1916 or thereabouts the first
American settlers found Judge r. in the full ex-
ercise of his peculiar functions; and, as undis-
turbed governmental authority did not occupy the
field for some years, he was left in the possession
of all his rights, privileges, and immunites. AS
to the Judges library, we might state that it
consisted of two Wormeaten volumes of Black
stone. How and where he obtained them, is
mystery that has never been unravelled
Judge Reome was fond of doing justice-to HIM
SELF Some time in the year 1915, an English
81 he, fotra
(copper-colored ladies, we mean,) got into a pas
sion, and struck her with SO much severity that
she died in short time afterward. Now the
murdered lady was an especial favorite with his
Honor, and vengeance, it was thought, would be
visited upon the head of the trader A few
DAYS after her death, constable made his APP,
pearance at the wigwam of the Englishman, and
arrested him. For the information of all we Will
state that his posse comltdtus embraced the whole
communicable chose his constable at pleasure. q
Y The day of trial arrived On that
morning the trader sent the Judge as present
large supply of tobacco, pipes, and keg of whis-
key, his honor being both Judge and Jury. The
Witnesses were severally examined, and the guilt
of the prisoner was apparent to the entire assem-
blage He called upon the Englishman to speak
for himself. He began by telling the Judge that
he was a just and equitable man; that he knew
he could not condemn him on such fmsy evil
dence and concluded by saying he had an ex-
cellent cloth coat, which he would present to
him as mark of his esteem, and-prayed that the
Constable might be permitted to 90 and bring II !;
which was accordingly done. The Judge, after
coming over Blackstone for about fifteen minutes,
arose and pronounced the words" GUILTY
GUILTY Gritty - And tying silk handkef-
chief around his bald pate, he babe the murderer
arise; and then addressed him as follows "rrl-
soner you have been found guilty OF numbering
this innocent, lamb. like mad-you must sufler
the utmost penalty due to such crime II got