Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-10-18
The Judicial Candidates.

The people will be called upon to elect three ju-
dical officers the coming election. There are sew
eral candidates, and the people must select one for
each of the following statons-a Judge for the High
Court of Errors and Appeals-a Chancellor for the
State, and Vice Chancellor for this District 1t is
known to our opponents that haze neUer made the
political opinions of men test in any judicial elect
ion. We have warred against this for years have in
every FORM and under all circumstances, thrown the
influence of the press which we have controlled a.
ganst mixing up the judicial with the political elect
ion. In this, have, as many know, counter to
the heated zeal of partzans. Our has been
governed by fixed principles, and have looked more
to the public welfare than to the political sue
cess of party. We have no cause to repent of our
course in fact, we look back upon the stwith pride
and pleasure, and rejoice that enabled rise
above the personal and political excitement by which
we have been surrounded and select from the various
aspirants the whom Judgment approved rather
than the one party affinities jumped with.
Such being feelings and guided alone by an ar
dent desire Judicial benches occupied by the
best talent shall trespass upon readers just far
enough present few thoughts in regard to the as
pirants before the people for judicial station
In order then, we shall commence with the Supreme
Court. Judge CLAYTON is candidate for reelection
andwe hesitate not to say, under all the circumstances
it is right that he should receive the undivided support
of the people again. He has been tred-his ability
is acknowledged on all hands by all parties. He has
lent to the bench great weight, by his impartial bear
ing and judge, and he has by his labor, aid
ed in giving to the Court of which he is a member,
reputation at home and abroad, which has placed ou
judicial system and decisions before the world in
form that commands the sanction of the abest jurist
in the land. He is known to the bar an earnest
and laborious judge and his afable have wor
for him the kindest regards of all who have appeared
before him. The records of the Supreme Court furn
sh indubtable evidence of his extensive requirement.
able and CAREFUL conscientious lawyer.
Chief Justice Sharkey has signifed his determine
ton to resign his seat upon the bench This will
ate vacancy, which must be filled by some man
Judge Smith has been the bench but years, anC
if Judge Clayton is defeated the bench will be repre-
scented by two officials without that experience
which it is prudent to retain there. Judge Clayton
has been upon the bench about nine years he is ia
miliar with the decisions and practice of the Court
and, in the opinion of those who authorized de
termine from their long experience at the bar It's be
lieved that his removal will produce confusion, and
may, and possibly WILL unsette the practice and rules
of the court and warp the current of decisions from
with honor to the bench from which they sprung,
security to the life and property of the citizen and sta
bity to the monetary and commercial relations of the
State. Were it not that Chief Justice Sharkey is OF
the eve of retiring from the BENCH the change of one
or even both Associate Judges, would be matter o
but little moment for the mind that has hitherto
shaped the legal decisions of the State would be
ent guide them STILL If Judge Clayton is displaced
the evils we have but briefly touched on may all arist
the detriment of parties gant and to the eapord
ing of the stability of whole judicial system. Ii
no instance is it prudent to from the bench
the tribunal ofthe Last Appeal, all the Judges. If
would have stable and reliable system of judicial de
cisions, free from the changes and contradictory
character which involves the rights of the citizens
must retain in public service more of those mel
who have shaped and made those decisions. Sharke.
and Clayton have served together for years upon tn