Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-01-14
FROM THE LEXINGTON GAZETTE.
TO THE MEMBERS OF TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FROM LEXINGTON GAZETTE.
TO THE MEMBERS OF TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
] GENTLEMEN "A memorial will soon be pre-
scented to you. on behalf of the ci,izens and mem
hers of the Bar Of The 18th Judicial Circuit. pray
ing that the salary of the Judge of that Circuit may
be increased, to make it, in some measure.
commensurate with the amount of labor he has 70
perform.
! BY way of introduction TO that petition, beg
leave to present few facts, derived from official
documents, for your consideration.
! The 18th Judicial District is composed of the
counties OF Albelnare, Nelson, Amherst. Rock
bridge and Augusta, which contain population of
about $4,000 souls engaged in almost every vare-
ty OF occupation which give rise 10 litigation.
Within the Circuit. too, situated FIVE large pub
lie institutions to which peculiar laws applica
ble and which require the constant supervision of
the Courts, viz The University Of Virginia,
Washington College, the Military Institute, the
Western Asylum, and the Institution for the Educa-
ton of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind
An inspection of the annual reports which the
| clerks the several counties required to make
TO the Legislature will show that for the last three
years, the average, amount of business which has
originated and been despatched in the 18th Circuit,
has been almost twice great the average
mount in the other Circuits.
To prove the truth of this assertion, / refer to
the following facts:
BY report made to the Legislature on the 10Th
December, lS43, Doc 10, it will be seen that
the number of causes at law, which originated in
Judge Thompson's Circuit was 23l0, and the num-
Der decided was 234O--whilst the average number
which originated in all the Circuits was ll6l, and
the average number decided was ll72
In Chancery, the number commenced in Judge
Thompson's Circuit was 23l and the number of
DEGREES, final and intcrlocuory, was 465. The
average number commenced in all the Circuits was
135, and the number of DEGREES 226
The number of Criminal prosecutions in Judge
1hOmDSOn'S Circuit was 2l5. whilst the AVERAGE OF
the District was %.
The number ofdays during which Judge Thomp-
son held Court was Ito, whilst the average of the
Circuits was IS.
of cases in Judge Thompson's Circuit was as fol-
lows
Cases at law, commenced, lSS6-decided, 1856
whilst the average in the State was, commenced,
465-decided, So.
In Chancery, the No. commenced in 18th Cir
cult was 257-No. decided, 5SO-the average
throughout the State was, commenced, l37-deci-
ded, 2S3
On criminal docket, in 18th Circuit, l59-ave-
rage number in State, 81.
Days court was in session, in 18th Circuit l4I
average, 81.
in 1915, it appears by Doc No. G., the number
of cases at law commenced in 18th Circuit, was
lOS4-No. decided, lO90-average in the State,
commenced, 476-decided, 500.
In Chancery, number of causes commenced in
!
rage, commenced, 143-decided, 275 tss
Prosecutions, in 18th Circuit, | ll-average, rs:
Number of days in session, lii 18th Circuit, ITO
average, SIS.
In the three years above referred TO, it appears
that Judge Thompson rendered 81 6 judgments at
law-23S3 DEGREES in Chancery. and tried 1856
/ criminal cases, and was in session SCI days: whilst
the average of the business done in the State
I as follows judgments. 2603--decrees. 7S4-crim-
inal cases, 25O-and number of days in session,
255
II will also appear, that during the year 1915,
the amount Of business done by Judge Thompson,
both at Law and in Chancery, actually exceeded
the amount done by Judges Robertson, CioptOn and
Nicholas; togetherl And yet, these gentlemen re-
ceived for their services $4,000 each, or an
aggregate but little short of $4,000, whilst Judge
Thompson receives bit one-iourth Of that sum, OF
/ $500!
/ The petitioners ask that Judge Thompson's com
pensaton may be proportoned TO his labors, or. in
other words, that his salary be made at least equal
to that Of the Metropolitan Judges, 81 900: They
ask this al act of justice and of sound policy.
They wish him to receive Il salary which will
enable him devote his whole time to his official
duties and not require him, in order TO exc out a
support for his family, 10 teach a Law School. He
is in moderate circumstances, and when his travel
. ling expenses are deducted from his salary and
mileage, he has but little over $1,000 to apply to
his household support and the education of his
children This is not sufficient TO maintain his
family, and those who know the fidelity and abili-
ty of the Judge, and the noble character and refined
feelings Of the MIN, ask that justice be done 10
him. VIII such an appeal be unheeded by wise
and generous Legislature
a MEMBER OF THE BAR.
] There is now before Congress plan of fire
ship, made by Mr.. Brown, of Illinois. for marine
and haIbor defence. 1t is constructed so as to re-
fleet of shot. while it is capable OF envelopng in
single moment. an enemys ship in sheet of in
exlinguishable fire. II is not against ships alone
that this dreadful engine of destruction is used but
in land service. in defending passes, it would also
prove invaluable:
a CEvTRE SHoT!-The Washington Union
some days ago, said ga fedefalisl of fine taste
and talents pronounces the Presidents MESSAGE tc
be conclusive on the War question: Who is tba,
fedefast Casks the Louisville Journal .)-Mr. Br
cHANAN ?-Vhig.
What il you have fallen in business--you still
have life and health. Don't sit down and CRY over
your mishaPs, for that will never get you ont OF
debt. not buy your children Grocks Go to work at
something, eat sparingly, dress moderately. drink
nothing exciting, and above all, keep merry heart
and you will be up in the world again.
Iowa is still in fog. The Legislature assem-.
bied at Iowa city on the 7th ult. All the officers
Of the Senate arc LocofOcos, and all in the other
branch arc Wings.
'"John, is my coffee hot ?"
e.Not vet ,nass.-1ne spjt IN hin, o,,1 T.. :.