Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-14
THE NEW SUPERIOR COURT.

The Governors nominations for Judges of
the new Superior Court will doubtless be con-
firmed by the Council, unless some of the
nominees shall see fit to decline the appoint
ments The Boston Traveller reports that
Mr.. Andrew declines. This report is very
likely to be correct, for that gentleman has not
been supposed to have much aspiration for
judicial honors.
Some of these appointments are very good.
1t would be difficult to secure another Chief
Justice as admirably qualified for the place as
Judge Allen. His appointment was generally
expected, and it gives universal satisfaction.
The appointment of Julius Rockwell was also
deemed certain and it could not be improved.
Otis 7. Lord is very strong man, whose
qualifications for place on the bench will not
be called in question by those who know. him.
John A. Andrew as man and lawyer has
the most cordial respect of all who have the
pleasure of his acquaintance.
None of these appointments are very bad,
although some Of them are certainly not very
strong. Mr.. Ames, WHO'S not well known to the
public, is strongly commended by those who
do know him well, and is doubtless a man of
very respectable qualifications. That he is a
son of Fisher Ames commends him to meas
ure of public favor. 1t is stated that the Dem
Gratis have no man in this State so well quail
fled for seat on the bench as Ezra Wilkinson,
who is one of the present nominees or at least
none who would accept such an appointment.
Mr.. Wilkinson's legal requirements are good,
and he is gentleman whose personal charac-
ter it irreproachable. As a Judge he may de-
velope some genial and sunny qualities which
have not generally graced his performances as
lawyer.
Purity and dignity of personal character
seem to us to be among the essential qualifica-
tons for judicial appointment. We all feel
and understand instinctively why they. are es-
sental; and serious deficiency in this respect
should be treated as an absolute disqualified
ton. The most profound and accurate knowl-
edge of law, supported by the most magnif-
cent intellect, may be very admirable, but it can
not make an immoral judge either wholesome,
safe, or respectable. Massachusetts has gen
orally been very fortunate in the personal
character of her judges /; and we trust that this
good fortune will continue while the Com
monwealth endures
There are many who would be glad if Judge
Mellen had been retained for the new Superior
Court. We understand that there was a very
strong pressure against him, chiefly from the
bar OF Middlesex County. And there is some
inquiry for the reason why two of the nomi-
nees are taken from Berkshire County, and
not one from either of the three south eastern
Counties. Middlesex County gets two; but
that County gets a great many good things. 4
We think it will be admitted that none of the
II variety e styles aad Esgs Gfe g wgaE ana III
qualified as one or two of the old ones. On
the whole, the new court will be respectable
and efficient. 1t will have an abundance of
work; but it will consist of working men,
some of them having the very highest qualif-
cations for their duties, and none of them Sc
riously deficient.
The new court goes into operation on the
firstday of July. The following are the judg-
es who go out of Office at that time Edward
Mellen of Wayland, Jonathan G. Perkins of
Salem, Henry W. Bishop of Lenox, George N.
Briggs of Pittsfeld, George P. Sanger of Bos-
ton, Henry Morris of Springfield, and David
Aiken of Greenfield, of the Court of Common
Pleas. Of the Superior Court of the city of
Boston, Charles P Huntington and Stephen
G. Nash of Boston, The salaries of the judges
of the new court are fixed for the Chief Justice
at $500, and for the Assistant Judges at $500
per annum.