Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-12-25
Death Of Judge Potter.

tchen the time paid for ep'reS.
Death OF Judge Potter.
We COPY from the Fayetteville Observer the announce
ment the death of that venerable citizen of State
who had been for many years the Oldest oceholder in
the United States having received his appointment from
Thomas Jefferson at the beginning of the present cen
fury We leave those who knew him best to speak his
eulogy. All admit that he was good and pure man.
and what is of most Importance now sincere christian
By this dispensation vacancy is left in the office
which he so long held and the appointment Of
sorwl devolve upon the administration of Mr. Buchanan
Who the applicants for that position may be- or whose
claims may be pressed upon the attention of the Execu
tive we have of ascerainng, neither have
any desire to express opinion urge preference
between men, at the present time; refer to the mat
ter now for different purpose-wth the view of urging
considerations of different character. 1t may be that
in doing so, may appear to be actuated by selfish
motives so far at least town is concerned but
trust that the gravity of the interests involved will form
our and the considerations themselves will be of
sufficient weight to Justify their being brought forward
The State of North Carolina forms one United States
Judicial District which is subdvded into the three local
districts of Abemarle, Pamlico and Cape Fear, the
ton, Newberne and Wilmington respectively. Those
familiar with the business Of the Court inform us that
nneenths of that business is in the district of Cape
Fear-at the port of Wilmington Certainly, the very
great majority of the business of the United States Dis
trict Court of North Carolina from this place
cases from any other point are simply exceptional.
The Jurisdiction of the Court is martime-it is in
cases concerning vessels and seamen. Its necessity
arises out of the necessities of trade and to meet these
necessities its action ought to be prompt and always
available It cannot be unless the Judge resides at
the principal seaport town within his district lnstan
ces occur every day. in which, by the delay necessary to
90 to a distant point to obtain the intervention OF
Judge the ends of Justice defeated This ought not
to be- defaulting vessel may easily escape before an
order from distant Judge be procured for her de-
tention A vessel may be njuriousy tied up before an
order for her release can be obtained.
If we arc rightly informed the greater portion Of the
duties of United States District Judge devolves upon
him in vacation and these duties of character that
to be done we'll Or, perhaps done at ALL in many
must be done prompy-to be done promptly they must
be done by Judge residing at that point at which the
main part of the business arises and i'll North Carolina
that point is Wilmington
bent, prevented complaint from being made upon this
score That our mercantile community has suffered is
notorious and now when the time has arrived for
new appointment to be made, the time also has come
when all effort should be made to procure relief from the
inconycniencics and delays complained of.
Although the District Court has criminal Jurisdiction
in all cases occurring on the high it is notorious
that no Grand Jury has been attached to the Court
here the truth being that sailors could not afford to wait
u redress of their wrongs until the period for the
sessions of the Court should come round So that prac
ticalIy they have been without redress A resident
Judge could easily dispose promptly of all cases so arising
Now as to the individual to be appointed, we have
nothing to say to his present residence
that is not our business But think that regard for
Justice and for the efficiency Of the Office requires that
the Judge should reside here. We think the mercantile
community have right to erpect if not to demand it.
pagnA portion of the Democracy of Cleaveand coun-
ty held meeting at Shelby the 18th inst, at which
delegates were appointed to the next Democratic State
Convention. The meeting suggested that the Conven-
ton be held at Salisbury the second Wednesday Feb
ruary To the holding of the Convention at Salisbury,
we down here have manner of obectOn-we would
like it, Many of desire to avail ourselves of the OPP
portunity of meeting Western brethren little
er their homes. But we must protest against the
time named 1t is in the dead of winter. About the
worst time in the year. There is necessity for such
haste No Convention could be held so soon. A few
delegates from few counties might gather but bona
fde Convention. From this section delegates can
we'll be appointed before the holding of the county Courts
in the spring 1t would be impossible to get full and
fairly appointed representation until after the meeting of
the county Courts in February and March, and travel
ing wonld not be fully opened until April.
In any apparent difficulties arising out of the efforts at
division by few persons there is no cause for precpi
fancy but the contrary every motive for GOODNESS and
deiberation. The longer the campaign is deferred the
longer time will the opposition have to deveope the total
want Of cohesion among its members under whatever
flag they may attempt to rally, especially if that flag be
raised by disorganizng member of the Democratic
party. We will abide the action of the majority but
hope that that action may not be precpitate. We only
want full attendance.
Financial Statement.
We have before us the annual report of Mr. Morris
Town Clerk and Treasurer, showing the financial oper
atOns of the town for the past year. The amount Of
town taxes assessed and collected by the collector,
$37,331 18, of which $1O948 % still to be collec
ted on the 2lst inst There has been received from 9th
er sources $1O262 so. The disbursements appear tc
have been $36,645 SO, minus $57 Sc carried to new
account. The aggregate receipts $36,646 SO. The
Bank debt for town purposes, as we'll as for Town Hal
and Theatre, is $22,413 IS. To the Town Hall anG
Theatre $l22 "a has been advanced-that is, over
twentyseVen thousand dollars have been spent this