Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-31
.----. For The Spectator.
The Judicial Election---HOn. Judge Lucas
p. Thompson.

eF For the Spectator
The Judicial ElectiOn-..HOn. Judge Lucas
p. Thompson.
Messrs Editors The able and distinguished
iurist who has presided over this Circuit for the
last thirty years, is again candidate for rec
lection-not of his own motion, but at the vol
uptary and earnest solicitation of the whole
Bar of his Circuit, with solitary exception.
Those gentlemen, whom the people know
whose interest it might have been to depreclale
the presiding Judge, in order to obtain his POSI-
ton for one of themselves-whose business de-
ponds upon the industry, integrity and ability
of the Judge of their Circuit, Gor unless the bu-
siness of the Courts is speedily disposed OF, 1t
languishes and few new suits are brought, thus
inpoverishing the lawyers)-those gentlemen,
who certainly know Judge Thompson best, and
the industry, speed and ability with which he
transacts the business of his office, have, with
one accord, recommended him, in the highest
terms. to their clients and ellow-ctizens as the
man. of all others in the Circuit, most fit to fill
the high and responsible office which he has SO
long adorned-this office, on the faithful dis
charge of the duties of which, the lives, the lib
critics. the reputation and the fortunes of the
people depend. Many of the voters of this Cir
cult are not personally familiar with Judge
Thompson, though he has presided over it so
long. The only reason is, that he has been a
man of study and hard labor-devoted, more
than any man | have ever known, to the per
Torrance of his heavy duties. In the true spirit
of good and faithful officer, he has preferred
to SERGE rather than to court the people, and
possessing by nature one of the most genial,
kind and social dispositions, he has painfully
learned to conquer his nature and debar himself
of the solaces of society, that he might labor
G. IL. Ifarr of anrNtn
This is no new thing with him, superinduced
nv the terrors :of the STERN Tenure" While
the recurrence of election day has not de-
tered him from a fearless discharge of his du-
ty. in extending the protection of the law to the
hnmblest and most frieudless citizens, it has not
added on to him any new and busting industry !;
but finds him and leaves him the same earnest,
devoted and aot We laborer in the cause of JUS
tice and liberty-not that he may be continued
in office, but for the sake of his Countrywide
happiness of bis felow-men. Judge thompson
is one of those whom the new Constitution found
in Office. and who, without incentive of self-in-
terest. or the hope of re election Cor then his
was life tenure) had SO we'll and faithfully dis
charged the duties of the heaviest Circuit i'll the
State. that at the first election, in 1852, his peo-
ole. by a voluntary and universal impulse, greet
Cd him with that sweet reward OF patriotic eX-
.ort;o,,. the exclamation of "Well DONE thou good
ond Ca, hful servant" and be was elected, as it
,raro hv reclamation. Long before these high
testimonials IF his worth had emanated from the
people of his Circuit, the Legislature oithe state
in passing law to increase his salary had oofne
the following 1atteriDg and well merlted lesll-
mony to his extraordinary services. l09e pro
amble to an Act concering the twelfth judicial
Circuit-Acts of Assembly of 1eA7-s-page "a ,
"Whereas it is represented by the citizens,
suitors and members of the Bar, residing n the
ounties of Amherst, Nelson, Albemarle, Angus
70 and Rockbridge, comprising the twelith Jud'-
c,al circuit. in memorials presented TO the gen
eral as, ,embly. and is satisfactorily estaolisieo
that the business of that circuit greatly exceeas
in amount that of any other in the State, ana IL
twice or tn, ice the amount of the general aver
ace of the circuits in the STATE; and that IL Il
impossible for spy one Judge by any degree
diligence and exerton to keep down tia nocKeu
without devoting the whole OF greater part
the vacations. as well as the regular terms now
prescribed by law for the dispatch fhereof Ant
whereas said citizens suitors and members o
the Bar have memorialized the general assellolJ
either to divide the circuit into two, TO redncf
If nv general reorganization OF the cirenlts o
the State, to appoint an additional Judge TO Ih'
circuit or to increase the compensation OF th'
present Judge, and in consideration thereof e
REQUIRE of him to devote the whole year, II ne
cessary to the despatch OF the business pi LIE
circuit. And whereas it seems to the genera
assembly most eligible to adopt the last alterna
tive as temporary expedient," &C., DC.
Thus it appears that it was then represented b,
the citizens, suitors end members of the Bar
resident in all the counties of his Circuit. an'
satisfactorily established to the Legislature tina
the business of that Circuit greatly exceeds
that of any other Circuit in the State, and wa
twice or thrice the general average, and that l
was impossible for any Judge, by any diligence
to keep it down without deVoting the who'll
or greater part of the vacations to it, as well g.
the terms prescribed by law. They, therefore
as the Act shows, added to Judge thompson
salary $500 year for five years, and direct hin
to hold the necessary extra sessions, which III
did. until be conquered the dockets. With you
permission, Messrs. Editors, | will hereafter
show you documentary facts, that from that DAY.
to the present, Judge Thompson has performed
larger amount OF business than any other judge
in the State, except, perhaps, the Richmond
Judge and that the gentlemen OF bis Bar have
only borne truthful testimony to his merits
when they so unanimously urged him to oIte
his valuable services again TO his country. ask {
calm and candid consideration Of bis claims, no
for his sake (for Judge Ihompsons legal abilities
and moral worth would purchase success for hin
in private station) but for the cake Of those
whom be has served so faithfully. L.