Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-11-27
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
wlLmnNaros, N. O., MONDAY, NOV. az, Issv.


United States District Court for North Carolina.
1t will be remembered that the regular term Of this
Court was not held last month in Wilmington, owing to
the absence Judge Potter whose feeble health rendered
his attendance impossible We regret to learn that His
Honor is still too weak to attend Court and is forced to
have the hearing of transferred to his chambers at
Fayetteville Court there will open on Monday next
The venerable Judge has long passed the period
usually allotted to man, and has arrived at that point
when respite from his labors is justly his DUE Far be
it from us suggest or dream of his being deprived of
any If the honors or emouments of that position which
he has held so long. If it ours to say, would
rather have them increased than diminished But surely
it is due to gentleman whose age is drawing up close
to the span of century, and whose official service has
considerably exceeded half that term, that ne should
be allowed to repose in quietude, untroubled by
those trying duties whose proper discharge must task
TOO severely his failing energies and feeble health We
would continue Judge Potter in all the rank and pay he
has ever received, but we would relieve him from the
active duties of the Office. He has earned right to
such relief.
But again. there are public interests to be considered
in such cases. More actual loss accrued to parties by
the failure of the last term that to have been or
ought to have been held here than would have paid the
salary of colleague or associate twice over.
Vessels are now held up here from day to day, and
from week to week. and from month to month, awaiting
the action of the Court Whether prompt action can
be relied upon may be imagined by the reader, when he
is that the Court consists Of gentleman con-
slderaby above ninety years Of age, and in precarous
health The fact is that very few are now brought
before the District Court parties preerng to wait and
carry them to the Circuit Court cases OF suits with
citizens Of other States forced to go to the distant
Courts Of those States from the virtual absence OF
States District Court in North Carolina.
This is a case which calls for remedy. We do not
know that the application Of that remedy is IN the hands
OF the Executive Government but if not, Congress can
easily provide by special act for the appointment
of associate to relieve Judge Potter, or better STILL
by the enactment of general law to meet such cases.
The forbearing character Of peopetheir respect
for venerable public servant, has, far led them to
keep silence long after those Of any other State would
have demanded and obtained redress. Knowing, we
do, what is said and felt in this mercantile community
Knowing as we do the virtual deprivation justice I'M
dT which suitOrs labor have felt called upon to say
what have said respectfully trust but none the
less plainly 1t is matter to which we beg leave to call
the attention of Senators and Representatives Jus
tice to the State demands it.
All men are liable to get old Age is venerabIe-age
is to be respected We would seek to crown " a
life of labor with an age ofease." We would have re
firing list for the Judicial well TOR the Naval Ser
vice. and this would be for the good of all concerned