Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-08-14
For tie Register.
A Model County Court.


Mr.. ED1roR:-In my strolls through
and often mortified at the varied charac-
teristics displayed by many in the yari-
Gus circles. But scene occurred in q
county court in Western Virginia that
caps the climax for novelty of proceed
ure, il nothing else; the like Of which
will hardly be found in the annals Of ju>
risprudenee the United States over; the
like is TO be hoped viii not be enacted
again in court Of justice in the Old Do
minion. a.H
You are aware that under the new
Constitution Of Virginia, our Justices Of
the Peace are elected for four years; that
after their election and qualification, they
| are to choose one of their body as pre-
siding o@cer, I take it for the full term
| of four years, who shah sit at each term
Of the court; the residue OF the Justices
I to be classified, to hold the respective
cou: is, in connection with the presiding
Justice. gu '...t ......
In my rambies I was informed that the
Justices Of the county q H., had by some
secret understanding agreed that no Jus.
ltice should serve as President Of the
court for longer period than one year.
fBy this process Of bargain and ssle''
1.-THE county OF, H. has had about six pre-
Esiding Justices in the last Eve years, al
an additional expense OF over $500. The
lcounty Of H. is rich land generous towards
her officers, 49,. ....... ...-..
In entering into che courtroom Of the
county Of II. q few, days ago ! was told
that that was the regular day for the an
Enual election Of presiding Justice Of the
county court, and having heard some
thing Of the secret & don't say know
nething) mode of eleeting Chat officer
concluded 10 remain and see for myself
if possible, the. operation. In sher
time their worships were asse mbled, aac
with much gravity surveyed their peers
In a short time, MS by Instinct, their hon
ors were seen. leaving the COURTROOM
While in the act or leaving. a gentleman
of tho bar who seemed to understand The
move, called ont in loud and shrill voice
"gentlemen of the. court, in your retire
ment it is to be hoped you viii give US {
good presiding officer, and for the bal
ance of the term; and not be thus chang
ing" learned that the court had LEI
the courtroom TO go into secret room
Ito hold a caucus election, and to make
all ., her necessary arrangements for thu
G,tnre ID that in short time they
wo"id anno,r IN court and announce (
che bar and bystan " t Tn s sgai1 20 cp Pre
side. In short time .Npey agaln cam'
into the courtroom like the "sneflng IL
of grand jury. the foreman with o"Pet pen
in hand, and announced that an elecL.> q
would be held for a presiding Justice OF
that court. Their names were called, and
all voted for ---, who was declared du-
ly elected. ..ra rn@ .. .....-H --
Many citizens, were mortified at the
procedure, especially when it occurred
in county SO proverbial for intelligence
and legal knowledge.
1t is to be hoped the like will never oc>
cur again in any court Ofjustice. but that
all courts will at all times be willing that
the public see all their acts, that they
may not be the subject of criticism, and a
butt for their neighbors; less SO for an
OBSERVER.