Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-18
Tor tho Waterman and Journal.
THE JUDICIARY OF VERMONT.

The course of the Legislature for many years
showed tna the doctrine that it is for the interest
of the State that the Judges should bold their office
for series Of years, is understood in this State, in
consequence of which the courts have acquired
and do sustain high character.
The vasciating conduct of the Legislature of
late threatens to shake that character.
When man is elected to the office of Judge of
the Supreme Court, and conducts himself well and
is willing to remain in the office, rare is the in
stance in which it is best for the State that another
be elected in his place.
The present judges are honorable and high
minded men, of great learning and discretion and
whose conduct in their respective walks in life is
without reprolch. Yet there is not one of them
without enemies, who desire that he may be super
coded in his Office
Even the venerable chief justice, who has held
his seat long that the majority Of the bar cannot
remember the time when he was not judge, is
jostled in his place.
He, eminently qualified for the place he occu-
pies, has, in his old age yearly turned his back up
on his home, given up the comforts Of his own fire.
side, in mid winter and made the tour of the State,
in the performance Of the duties of his office. In
deed no one can say wherein he has neglected
those duties.
1t would seem as if wise legislators would con-
slider that he was rather comforting favor upon
the State than receiving one from them in taking
the office.
The Legislature is entitled to praise for re-elect-
ing the first assistant justice yearly without hesita-
ton He is deserving Of the confidence reposed
in him.
Whatever may be urged against the second as
sistant Justice, his industry and mpartiality, and
the steadiness with which he holds the scale of
Justice, cannot be unknown TO the Legislature -
Whoever desires that he should ntt hold his pres
ent place, desires thing which is not for the in
terest of the State.
The third assistant justice has not found his seat
steady. There have not been wanting those, IN
time past, who DESTROYS to thrust him from it,
1t is feared that such will be found in time to come
But it is desirable that their success may be, at
most, no better, hereafter than it has been hereto
fore. If the interest of the public is fairly boanc-
ed against the private views of individuals, he is
secure in the place he occupies.
About three years since a man who deserv-
edly held IN the greatest respect and esteem by the
community in which he lived and who had an hon
orable extensive and lucrative practice as a law
yer, was elected to the Office Of fourth assistant
Justice, without his having expected or sought for
it. His situation and circumstances in life were
every respect good. The office was offered to him
/ and he accepted If, entered upon its duties and
! faithfully discharged Them He was ever found in
his place. The rights of no suorwere disregard
! ed. Patient he was in the hearing and considerate
in deciding Of causes.
At the end of one year he was inconsiderately
without cause, and in the twinkling of an eye
thrust out of the Office.
The honorable gentleman who was snatched at
did not see fit to be dragged into an office, which
should have permanency, so suddenly.
The Governor did himself honor in filling The
vacancy by appointing the man who had been Sc
unceremonousy turned out
And the Legislature at their last session showed
that they appreciated his act and their own choice
in 1912, by re-electing the same man.
If any man or any number of men should raist
a clomor against the judges or any of them at thu
next session. the Legislature should well conside
before they refuse either of them another election
The character of the Judiciary in this State de-
ponds upon the Legislature. 1t cannot stand higl
when the judges are frequently changed.
If it should ever be that those who are elected
to that Office canno: feel that in case they conduc
themselves well in it, it will be continued to them
where are competent men to be found who will giyt
up their own business and undertake to perform
the duties of Judge? JuRIs CoNsULTus.