Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-06-17

pa We clip the following notice of Hon.
James Thompson, our Western candidate for
the Supreme Bench, from correspondent
writing from Philadel phia to the Pittsburg
Poet.
While few of the Democrats here express
some regret that Judge Sharswood was not
nominated as one of the candidates for Su-
preme Judge, by the Convention Of the 9th
inst, all unite in saying that two excellent
men were selected, Strong and Thompson,
one East and one West, and both from the
country I do not think the Convention cod
have done better. I have known Judge
Thompson long and well, and look upon his
nomination at this time as particularly fortu
nate, as his name will undoubtedly strengthen
the ticket in the north western couuties, where
he was born and raised The following short
sketch of his life may not be uninteresting:
James Thompson was born in Butler coun
ty, in the year 1905. When about sixteen
years old he commenced learning the print
ing business in the Office of the Butler Palta-
dunn. He was an intelligent and industrious
boy, and soon acquired sufficient knowledge
of the art preservatiVe of all arts to make him
self decidedly useful. He was good printer
and clear and steady writer. After becom-
OI
strong county, and commenced the study of
the law Being admitted to practice, he set
tied in Venango county, and soon gained a
reputation as an able lawyer, and pleasing
and forcible speaker. In the year 1882, he
was elected to the Legislature, and was re-
elected in '33 and "a without opposition
During his three years of service be presided
as Speaker Of the House of Representatives.
At the end of this time, he declined further
Legislative honors, and entered energetically
upon the practice of his profession, at which
he continued until appointed by Governor Por-
ter President Judge of the District Court
composed of the counties of Erie, Crawford,
Warren, Nenango and Mercer. At the ex-
piration of his term as Judge, he removed to
Erie, and again resumed the practice of the
law But he was not long allowed to remain
in retirement 1t was found necessary, by
the Democracy, to nominate their best man
for Congress, in order to defeat the million
aire, Charles NJ. Reed, who had succeeded,
through his gold, in being elected over Mr..
Curtis, of Warren county. Mr.. Thompson
was the man chosen to beat Charley Reed,
money and all, and most beautifully did he
do it. The district was large one and hard
to canvass, pan ticularly against a man worth
millions, but when the people again heard the
manly voice of their candidate from the stump
which had been stilled during his service as
Judge, they knew it to be the same which
they had heard in defence of their principles
so long and so often before. The favored
child of wealth stood no chance before such
foe The poor printer boy was like them
selves; he had, unaided and alone, padded
his own canoe through life, and they honor
cd him for it. He represented his district SIX
years in succession in the National Legisla-
ture, very unusual thing in the North, when
he again retired fully satisfied with the hon.
ors conferred upon him. The people of Erie
| county soon got into trouble about their rail-
roads, and it was necessary to send some one
to the Legislature to straighten matters. They
Immediately selected Judge Thompson He
declined, but those whom he served SO well
would not take no for an answer, a1d altho'
the county usually gave fifteen hundred and
two thousand majority against the Democra-
cy, he was elected in the face of his declina-
ton, and accepted seat in the body over
which he had presided more than twenty years
before.
This is brief and imperfect sketch of the
western candidate of the Democratic party fol
Supreme Judge. He is every way qualified
and will be an ornament to the Bench. Ht
is sound lawyer, ripe scholar, constitu
tional Democrat and warm hearted, gener
Gus friend. His vote in Erie, Crawford
Warren, Venango, Mercer, Clarion, Jeffer
son, Butler and Lawrence counties will prove
in what estimation he is held by those whe
know him best.