Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-03-15
DISTRICT COURT.

Nothing was done yesterday except the
arguing Of few demurrers, and the settling
of come bills of exceptions, when the Court
adjourned until Wednesday morning.
The term about to close has been one of
unusual length, but Of much benefit to the
county ct large as we'll as to parties litigant.
We venture to say that in the course Of the
last six weeks more business has been dis
patched than at any previous session Of
Court in this judicial district; it has not
been rushed through without regard to cor
rectness, cow venience, or the rights Of suit
ors. but disposed Of with a promptness, dis
patch and care seldom equalled even in the.
courts of New York or Massachusetts. But
two hundred and fifty cases remain on the
docket-a fact without q precedent in the
history Of this county for the last three years.
For this improved condition of affairs, We are
indebted to the energy AMI consummate abil-
ity of Judge Dillon. To uncommon clearness
Of vision and quickness OF perception he adds
a thorough knowledge of legal principles,
and strong common sense which he is not
afraid to use. His boldness and decision
have been especially remarked and CON-
mended, for in these latter days it has been
almost impossible to find Judge who can
make up his mind and unhesit atingly de-
clare his opinions after he has formed them.
Judge Dillon does not know what timidity
is. When he has once settled the law in
his mind-he announces it with clearness
and distinctness which admit of no mistake
or mis-constructisn. Nor is he at all tear
full Of subjecting his decisions to the ordeal
Of aireview by the Supreme Court. He new
er attempts to deprive party Of the tene
fit Of exception by whiting his decision
down to an imperceptible point, but having
once taken his position, he stands to it with
out shutling, leaving the court Of last re-
sort to correct such errors as human fallibil-
lity may lead him into. -
To say that Judge Dillon makes no mis-
takes were to claim for him such powers as
no mortal ever posessed-but we do believe
that his decisions, marked as they are by
sound learning and hard sense-will bear
the test Of q review as we'll as those of any
Judge who ever presided in this county
Though opposed to the election Of Judge
Dillon-our observation of him during the
whole of the preseut term satisfies US that
in his new position he is emphatically the
right man in the right place.
Judge Dillon now goes to Jackson coun-
ty, where the March term commences on
the 18th inst.-next Monday.
OF Ira M. Clifford, the able and efficient
Clerk of the Court, We have word to cay.
In his career Of public life-short though it
has been ~ yet-we are free to state that
he has done himselE honor, and has so con.
Quoted himself that he has won the deep
respect and high esteem of all with whom
he has done bushes. Courteous and gentle
manly to fault; patient and pleasant in
his demeanor; accommodating to saint and
sinner alike; needing NO party lines in his
business transactions, and not STOPPING to
traduce himself by granting favors to
members Of his own party, that he would
not grant to others, he has won for himself
golden opinions. and IL an honor to his po-
sition instead Of permitting his position to
honor him. Long may he continue to
wave,
Regarding our long tried sheriff. We
need only say what has always been said Of
him, that Harvey Leonard is not only one Of
the best men living. but that he is sound
Democrat. and the best Sheriff west Of the
Mississippi River.