Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-12-16

1--WE here lay before our readers the address Of
Judge Smith, Of August last. What no says the |
subject Of the salary of the Circuit Judge, is worthy
the consideration Of the Legislature to meet:
TO THE PUBLIC
Having come to the conclusion not 10 be a candidate
for reelection the Office of Circuit Judge which Of
dee have had the honor to hold for the last SIX years
deem il due to the many personal and political friends
who have kindly solicited me to be candidate, ana ten
dered me their support to state publicly some oil the
principle reasons which have induced me TO come to
that conclusion.
short time before went upon the bench, in u time
Of great pressure in the monetary affairs and business oil
the State and country the salary OF the President Judge
was reduced TO $500 per annum When went upon
the bench knew that the salary was less than law
YER Of ordinary abilities and practice could make at his
profession but presumed that when the occasion Of the
reduction passed. the salary would be raised as to
be reasonable for the labor and expense
necessary to faithful discharge of the duties Of the
bench. Such, however, has not been the fact. The
pressure has passedtimes fourishihg-the expen-
ses of living are much greater than they then were
the business OF the court has largely ncreased-the
circuit has been much enlarged almost TO double
the business aud is all to be done by one Judge, SO
that when he takes any relaxaton or exercise, the
business the stopand still The salary has
had but a nominal raising OF 5000. full and faithful
discharge OF the duties OF the bench, on the cIrcuIi
hereafter, the circuits constituted, VIII re-
quire the holding OF court some forty or more weeks IN
home, except occasionally on flying visit, during the
whole year, and therefore, he will have to orego all the
enjoyments Of domestic life neglect the rearing and
culture of his children and all bis private affairs, and
hence off that of income, and have vaca
ton to examine authorities in bis library and deliberate
fully and mature important and questions, before
deciding them; thus giving but little opportunity 10 dis
charge his duties justly the country with honor to
himself His expenses on the circuit will take near
half his salary The other half is not sufficient to sup
port family of children as have, where every
| thing is to DO purchased. This know, will sound
strangely in the of many community for farmers
produce and consume enths of their whole income
in their families, without taking any thought note,
and the other three tenths which real
their clear profits, and above the supper to them
selves and family they set down alone as being their
entire ncome-as being what they and their fanlV GET
for their years labor.
To remain upon the bench, then, under present
cumstances will be as has been for years past
sacrifice of my private and pecunary interests and
to take upon myself onerous burden OF unceasIng
labor for the year round, without giving the oPpor
tunity Of discharging with honor to myself In
time OF public pressure, danger would perhaps. be
ready the State without adequate compen-
sation without any compensation al ALL any other
citizen. But this is the under consideration
know il is said that 81 600 is large salary, anc
more than any ought TO have, and that ar
abundance of men be had for it. 1t may
be, and is true, that many be had to for il
The love Of office (and might say, indscrminat,
scrambng for IT'D is OF the great political evils
80 "
possessed of proper selfrespect, and who has jus
appreciation of his position oil the soveregns
this free and happy country, like Cncnnatus will leave
his private business only when the public good requires
lit, and return to it the exgency OF the pub
lie affairs will permit. This, in my humble opinion, i
the and proper rule Of action and though
act differently yet history, and thirty years Of my owl
Experience and observation, have confirmed in tn
topnion, that those s0ho GnTously seek Office
general unworthy Of it, have always believed the oil
democratic principle, that Offices are, and should b
l. Al
for the public good; and that the opposite (and may
say modern, practically exhbitedO principle of ma
king getting, and holding Office for the incumbents
benefit, regardless Of the public good is RADICAL
wrong.
, could name other reasons, but these | deem suff
cient to justify in the eyes of my friends, (and
proud know they exist in all parties) for declining
| reelection the bench.
= To the members and officers Of the several court
with whom have had the honor to be associated in
official duties, ] bid alectonate adieu and tende
grateful Acknowledgements TO them for their uniorr
kindness and courtesy TO me while associated with them
and for the efficient aid they have rendere ed in tn
discharge of the various complicated and sometime
: onerous duties Of the bench.
To the members Of the bar, and all, tender m
profound Acknowledgements for the Uniform respect wit
which they have treated since I have been on III
bench Asserting them that il has been my effort hereto
fore, it will be hereafter to ecprocate their kndnes
fully. 1t will hereafter be my pride and pleasure
cherish the remembrance of the many kndnesses of tn
bar and 81 the efficient aid rendered me, by them,
dischargng the multifarious duties of the bench.
! minglng with them hereafter in a different capacity
will be my study cherish aud increase those reciprc
cal feelings OF kindness, that by aiding each other
may elevate ourselves TO be of proies
sion, which, as il is the most important civil society
should, by the conduct OF its members, be made III
most honorable.
To my felowcitizens of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit
In bidding adeu TO the tbors Of the bench, will
spsctfully say that have labored assiduously wit
what poor abilities possess, to you faithfully
correctly. claim to have had honesty oil purpos
in dscharging my official duties T., err though
human and that erred frequently, frankly admit. I
err is almost inseparabe from the in whic
business is done in our Circuit Courts. And while
earnestly wish you may find who may brin
more apple alton, and ability into the public SCI
vice, respectfully submit that he bring true
desire it faithfully, and correctly than did you
! obsdient, and very humble servant,
. JER. SMITH.
WINCHESTER, IA. Aug 81, 1852.