Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-12-16
To tile Members OF the General A.

GUSrLEaES:-A memorial will soon be presented TO YOU
on behalf Of the ciuzens and members OF the bar of the
2h Judicial circuit praying that the salary OF the Judge
OF that circuit may be increased make it, in sume
measure, commensurate with the labor he has
| IL perform.
BY way Of introduction tina, petition, beg leave to
present few facts derived from official documents for
| yuur candid consideration.
The 2h Judicial district composed Of the counties of
Albemarlo, Nelson, Amherst, ROckbnige and Augusta
which contain population at about $4,000 souls engaged
IN almost variety OF occupation which give rise
10 litigation Within that circuit too, situated five large
public institutions 10 which peculiar lave applicable,
and which require the supervision OF the courts
The University OF Virginia, Washington College the
Military Institute the Western Asylum, and the Inslitu-
non Tor the Education Of the Deaf and Dumb aud Blind
An inspection OF the annual reports which the clerks OF
the several counties required make Legislature
will show that for the last three years. the average amount
OF business which has originated and been dispatched in
the 18th circuit has been aost great as the aver
age amount IN the other circuits
To prove the truth OF this assertion, refer 10 the fol-
BY report made the Legislature on 18th Deer 1913
Doc l0l Il will be that the number OF causes at law
which originated Judge Thompson's circuit was 23O
and the number decided was 2OlO-whist the average
number which originated in all the circuits was 6 and
the average number decided was ll72.
In Chancery, the number commenced in Judge Thomp-
sons circuit 23 and the number Of DEGREES final and
ineriocutory 1865. The average number commenced
IN all the circuits was 1885, and the number Of DEGREES
The number Of Criminal prosecutions in Judge Thomp.
sons circuit 2l5, whilst the average Of the districts
%.
The number of days during which Judge Thompson
held Court was no. whilst the average OF the circuits
In 1874 appears by Doc s. that the number Of cases
IN Judge Thompson's circuit was follows:
Cases law, commenced, l3sG-dccdcd, lgs6-whilst
the average in the State was commenced, 465-decded
SOS.
In chancery, the No. commenced in 18th circu, wa,
257No. decided 5gO-hc average throughout the State
was, commenced, lj7-dccided, 293.
On criminal docket, IN 18th circuit, l59-ayerage mum.
bas in State, -.
Days court was in session, in 18th circuit l4l-ayo-
rage, g.
In l5i5 appears by Doc No 6, the number Of cases
at law commenced in l2th Circuit, lOs4-No deci-
ded lU9O-ayerage ia the State commenced, 4T6-dcci-
dod SOC
Ia chan5ery, number Of causes commenced in 18Th Cir
cult. ls7-number decided l333-ayerage, commenced,
li3-deciicd, 275
Prosecutions in 18th Circuit, IIl-aysrpe 70.
Number OF days IN session. IN l2th Circuit, llO-ave-
rage, IS.
In the three above referred to, it appears that
Judge Thompson rendered ~ 10 judgments at aw-23s3
DEGREES in Chlnce5y aud tried 4sJ crmn1 cases and was
~ session 36l days; whilst the average Of the business
done IN the State follows: Judgments 2GDJ-Je-
crees, IJI-cfmiual cases, 2JO-and number Of days in
session, 25j.
1t will appe1r that during the year 1885, the amount
Of business done b. Judge Thompson both and IN
chauce, actually exceeded the done by Judges
Robertson Copion and Nicholas, together. Ard vet
these gentlemen fer their services near $4,000 cb
OF aggregate but little short Of S6OUO, whilst JuI.c
l,iiP7'" ''''i'f7 Ou' ul sum, JUD
The petitioners ask tia Judge TnOmpson's comp,n.n-
IL may be propOrionod to his abOrs IN other words
that hs salary DO made e5st equal 10 that Of the Metro
potan Judges, $1,000 They this as an act Of Justice
and OF sound policy. They wish hn 10 receive salary
which will enable him to devote las whole time 10 his o.
fetal duties; and not require him. order to exc out
supp for hi amy,io teach law school He In mo
defaic circumstance, and when hs travelling crpenscs
deducted from his salary aud mileage h. uns but t,e
$500 10 apply to his household support aud the ed
ucstIOn Of HE ChUdTon. Tns sufficient 10 maintain
hls family; aud those WHO know the fidelity aud ability Of
tho JHdgs aud the noble character and refined feelings Of
the Man, ask that justice be done him. Will such an
appeal be uuhoodd by aud generous Legislature
| MEMBER or THE BAR