Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-05-30
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 80. 1850.
UPTbc annual Town Meeting for lie

uTThc annual Town Meeting for lie
election Of officers for The ensuing year, ard
I for the transaction of other business, takes
/ place on Tuesday next. The ireemen y III
will sever The Probate and Municipal busi-
ness, as now attended to by the Council,
and elect Judge of Probate, as provided
for by The new law. This law is moi obli-
gatory on the Town they are no, compcll-
ed TO make the change unless they are so
disposed, and deem il for the best Interest,
of the community, The question, there
fore, to he considered is, will the people Of
Newport gain anything by this alteration :?
1t will be well for the freemcn TO reflect up
on the matter deliberately, and TO take ev-
ervihing into calm consideration. We are
inclined to the opinion, as We have pievi-
ously stated, that the defect in our present
| government does not arise so much from
the ncompetency Of the officers, as in the
form f government and the character Of
the laws under that form. If our position
is correct, and it has never Leen contro-
verled upon any sound theory, no change
OF officers, and no a,eratlon Of form, while
based upon the same principe, can ellec,
that saluiary reformation which is so much
desired by all, and the necessity Of which
is daily aud nightly experienced by all
classes Of the community
II the freeuen determine TO make
change, and elect Probate Judge, as pro-
vided Tor by the new law, Theophilus Top
ham, Esq, will probably be The man TO fill
this office. lie is The only person spoken
of, and he is more competent To discharge
the duties of the Office than any other m;n
in Newport. He has been member Of
the Tuwn Council for the last thirty
years, and for very mary years past has
been President of the Board. lie is a man
ofs,rong natural abilities, sound judgment,
and possesses talents well adapted iol the
transaction of Probate business. His en-
pefience has been extensive and varied,
and he is perfectly familiar with all the
Probate laws of the State, and al the forms
and modes Of procedure in regard to sucI,
business. 1t is matter OF vas, importance
TO have an officer who understands his bus
ines, and who i'll do it well and correct
ly ; large amounts Of property and great va
ueties Of interests are involved in the tran
saclions of this Court, ard all care should
be iakeE that this branch of the pub ic busi-
ness Is not embarrassed, and that i, does not
suffer in this expern entail change. Ii
man should be elected to this Office who
does not thoroughly understand its duties,
he might make fatal mistakes in the tran
sactlon OF lis bu, u,iness, which would involve
estates and lhe heirs of deceased persons ia
lo < and disastrous lawsuit. All these
things should be considered with minute
care, because cry man is interested IN
this matter, aud that to serious and all |
important extent, too.
A man cannut become familiar with
Prob t, business in month or wear
neither does it follow as a natural sequence
mt because man possesses The finest |
talents he will Immediately make a good
Probae officer ; il order 10 do this il re
CURES peculiar fitness for the Office. and .
long experience in The discharge Of lis du-
ties. These qualities Judge Topham has,
and He, therefore, Lope to see him elected |,
Pro'a'e Judge, If the change is deer
mined upon.