Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-09

physical ability to discharge the important du-
ties devolving upon the Judge of this Judicial
Circuit. "Facts are stubborn things and fig
ures do not lie." Let the official record then
| speak and the issue be determined accordingly
Hon. Daniel A. Wilson.
desire to present, very briefly, to tho voters
of the Lynchburg and Halifax judicial Circuit
some of the prominent reasons which should in
duce them to cast their suffrages in favor of the
esteemed gentleman whose name heads this ar
ticle, as Judge of the Circuit Court.
Among the numerous officers in the Com
monweath, whose appointment the people have
resumed to themselves, certainly none involve
so many high and important considerations, of
public interest, or appeal powerfully and
urgently to the purest and most elevated impu-
ses of the popular judgment, as those which
are connected with the judiciary department
of the government. Difficulties of the most del
icate and formidable nature will inevitably sug-
gest themselves to every good citizen in determi-
ming upon whom of his fellow citizens he will
bestow his suffrage, and elevate to position, at
| once so full of honor and responsibility to tho
incumbent, and of deep and pervading interest
to all classes of the community. While the
highest mental ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS mo-
raj integrity-ssern. unyielding firmness and in
ependence-and impartial, unvacillating judg-
ment--are indispensable requisites to the char
| acter OF the Judge, long and patient observance
| OF the man only can enable us to determine, if
| he possesses the rare mental and moral organi-
cation combining these essential attributes
| The people have been afforded the most favora-
able facilities of testing the pre-eminant fines.
and qualifications of Judge Wilson; and l am
gratified to be prepared to make the statement,
upon the highest testimony, that in the coun-
ties of the Circuit, where he has presided for
the last twelve years. he has won the largest
respect, confidence and affection of the people,
andy the continual exercise of the nobest
qualities of head and heart in the discharge of
official duties, and by his kindness of temper
and republican simplicity of manner in social
| intercourse-induced universal sentiment in
favor of his election.
| Every man, who has attended any one of
Judge Wilson's courts, has remarked the entire
absence of the sycophantic awe-the cringing
respect and obedience which are the result of
anything else than commendable impulse, and
which SO seriously detract from the dignity and
simplicity of the tribunals of the country Yet
no court in the Commonwealth has inspired and
! received more respectful obedience from its
attendants, or more uniformly maintained loft
Ter dignity. The sense of respectful submits
sion and obedience, which every good citizen is
|
the tribunals of the law, is not more efficient in
accomplishing this salutary result, than the con-
tidenee reposed in the integrity impartiality and
sound judgment of him who dispenses the law
Equanimity is trait above all others, that should
prominently display itself, in the official conduct
of the judge. Cool and dispassionate, he should
inspire respect and obedience-not by the fear
Of petulant outburst of passion,--but by the
calm and quiet dignity of his judicial manner.
The old Bailey is not the model after which the
courts of Virginia have been fashioned They
harmonize in the genuine republican features
that pervade the institutions Of the state and the
respect inspired by them should be the free and
voluntary homage of the heart;-not the dis
gushing adulation of the sycophant.
The reports of the clerks of the several courts
in the circuit over which Judge Wilson has
presided since the year 1910, exhibit an amount
of business having been actually performed in
that period, which the highest degree of indus
try and energy could only have accomplished
They show the services rendered by Judge
Wilson during period of ten years commence
ing with the year ending 3Qth August 1910, and
continuing up to the 30th of August, 1e49, to be
second to those performed by but one judge in
the state. While these reports bear the high
est testimony to the prompt and faithful manner
which Judge Wilson has displayed in the dis
|
serve triumphantly to vindicate him from any
untavorab.e impressions superinduced by the I'M
founded rumors that | understand, have been
circulated in some of the counties which COM
posed the Circuit. Honest men, who have con-
scientiously entertained and published these
baseless rumors, will not refuse to make prompt
and ample PREPARATION for the injury they may
have unwittingly perpetrated. There is anoth-
er class OF men-the secret vllifers of the viz
tuous-in whom funkeyism has grown trucu.
lent-that have not been idle in originating and
disseminating these charges-the congenial
carnations of the blended malice and envy of
their hearts-upOn whom the falsehood will re-
coil with crushing force.
| From an examination of the reports of the
clerks of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and
Chancery, transmitted by the Clerk of the House
of Delegates to the Convention, and published
in VOL of the documents of that body, have
obtained the data upon which is based the fol-
lowing comparison of the result of the labor,
and the amount of business respectively per-
formed by Judges Wilson and Leigh, during
the ten years from 40 to 40. Judge Leigh's
name was suggested becaue .of his univer-
sally acknowledged promptness, energy and in
| dustry in the discharge of his duties. Conce-
ding to him all that may be claimed in this be-
half intend practically to try Judge Wilson
by his own standard.
call particular attention to facts and figures
During the period of 10 years, specified above,
Judge Wilson decided suits at Law. lo462
During same period Judge Leigh decided ...... s76o
Showing excess in favor of Wilson of.. 1902
During same period Judge Wilson rendered inter
locutory DEGREES in Chancery, l426
During period Judge Leigh rendered. ..... 1883
Showing excess in favor of Wilson of.-.. 243
In same period Judge Wilson rendered final de-
crees In Chancery- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1898
In same period Judge Leigh rendered. ........ 962
Showing excess in favor of Wilson of &c
Making in the aggregate excess in favor of
Judge Wilson of the large number of 2O2l ca
decided at Law and DEGREES rendered in
Chancery.
If to the above result we add a reasonable
estimate of the number of cases deter