Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-28
For the Spectator.
The Election of Judge.

Messrs Editors IL desire to say few words
in reference to the pending election OF Judge
As there seems to bea prejudice against tue law
yers in this connection, will state IN the outset
that | am not a member of the Bar, nor nave
any special sympathy for the profession. may
state also that Judge Thompson has no personal
claims upon me, having never conferred upon
me the least personal favor; and that entertain
the kindliest feelings towards Me- fuitz.
And now, let me ask, why this attempt TO ex-
cite prejudice against Judge Thompson because
the lawy ers are in favor of his re-eiectons 10
any mind this is one of the strongest ana most
convincing arguments in his behalf. however
some sensible men may give ear 10 the ciatnor
about the dictation of lawyers, II seeneo ~ NE
highly appropriate that the Bar should make tne
first move il the matter. No man can seriously
believe that the LAWYERS of this county, as a
class. are not intelligent and honorable men, and
what possible motive could they have for desi-
ring to continue an incompetent Judge 10 office
They know the candidates much more thorough
y than | or the people at large, beng IN con-
staut professional intercourse with them; and
every possible motive that can conceive OF
prompts them to choose the more suitable OF the
two. They have chosen Judge Thompson, and
why's Undoubtedly because they know hlm to
be experienced, learned impartial and fearless.
They know hun to be fully competent, and see
no reason for setting him aside to take up new
and untried man.
Judge Thompson no doubt has faults and has
committed errors-he is man like the rest OF
US, subject to human frailties, and perfection
cannot be expected of him. We know all his
faults, however, and for one | think it better to
Shear the ills we have, than fly to others that
We know not Of"
1t is said that Judge Thompson is dilatory in
the despatch of business-better be slow than
sacrifice the rights and interests of parties. But
it has been shown satisfactorily that he is on the
bench nearly the whole year, and that last year
he disposed of more causes than any Judge in
the Commonwealth, with one exception, and was
only two or three cases behind that one. What
better criterion can we have of his efficiency?
A correspondent of your paper, who signs
himself MANY Citizens of Bath" speaks OF
Judge Thompson's sold age, and the importance
OF transferring the abors of the Circuit ito the
shoulders of one in the vigor OF manhood" y
Will this writer tell US what the ages of Judge
Thompson and Mr.. Fultz are respectively? lido
not know with certainty, but venture to affirm
that there is very little difference between them.
Judge I. is in the vigor of his life and intellect,
and, SO far as man can see, will be fully compe
tent, mentally and physically, to discharge the
duties OF his office for many years to come. A
few years ago his health was impaired, and be
has at sundry times been bowed down by the
weight. of domestic affiiclions-surely just and
generous people do not remember these things
to his disadvantage Iappeal to them in behal
of faithful public servant, having no interest tc
subserve myself but the PUBLIC WELFARE.