Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-05-08
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1860.

IT. however, contrary to this purpose, it shoult
be so, qui capit lH faciat Intending to sub
nit them to the consideration ofthe public, will
evidence of their respective qualifications, shal
now examine that evidence, and test them BY
the laws of true dignity, as before defined.
Whether Mr.. Fultz, if elected will perform
the duties of the Judicial Office with dignity o
character and department, we have the evidence
OF his high reputation as man, his energy o
character, his remarkable business qualifications
his industrious habits his fidelity to his clients
and their general approval of his services, all ir
bis favor. As to Judge Thompson, he having
filled the Judicial Office of this Circuit for about
thirty years, has furnished the public with al
the evidence that could reasonably be required
hoao he would perform the duties, if elected. IT
reviewing his long judicial career, the evidence
presented abundantly establishes the fact beyond
all controversy, that he is gentleman, an able
lawyer, and laborious in the duties of bis office
but that evidence equally establishes some other
things to his prejudice.
His greatest friends and warmest admirers
have publicly admitted that he has faults; then
if show fairly by the evidence of his Judicia
life, the character and results of those faults,
shall most earnestly protest against being re.
garded unfriendly. for could have no such feel
ing. Then, the evidence conclusively establish
es that he is either wanting in true dignity, OF
has been greatly mistaken as to the propriety o
his department while holding his Court. He
appears to have made it the infexible law of his
Judicial life to assume, during the terms of bis
Court, particularly while in session, towards the
members of the bar and the public, severe
austerity of manner, wholly unnatural and equal
ly unusual with him on all other occasions.
This was certainly in conflict with all the
lovely principles of true dignity. He further,
for some reason not known to the public, and
beyond their comprehension, appeared to have a
real pleasure in entertaining and in the exhibi
ton Of bad temper and not unfrequently pas
sion. This will unquestionably be admitted by
even the members of his bar, to be in direct vio-
lation of all the principles OF true dignity. II
the members of the bar-do not admit this, they
are certainly wanting in all the feelings of gen.
tlemen, and must be thirds" indeed, or have
the propensties of those wonderful beings, to
love only their tormenters, because, while stand
ing and receiving the apparently unamiable re-
Dukes and lectures OF the Court, before the as
sembled bar, the congregated public, and fire.
quently visiting strangers, they most assuredly,
on some occasions, at least, exhibited manifest
signs of annoyance, if not of wounded feelings.
These exhibitions have been generally witnessed
with regret for, to the honor of Virginia, the
people of this Circuit cannot behold such indig-
mites without feeling of the most decided dis
appreciation. But, there are some exceptions to
this rule. They are, however, found to be, al
most without exception, those persons who have
received castigation in the argument of some
case, from the lawyer, thus publicly rebuked
and lectured. They have not forgotten tie Of
fence, hate the offender, and rejoice to see him
thus publicly pduished. They will speak of il
1o1;p nd TO Il H.
as much delighted IS themselves. Who has moi
witnessed their disappointment, when they sta
ted, ''we were in the Courthouse to-day, and
heard the Judge give such lawyer sgoss but
he is great rascal, and did not get half as much
as be deserved, and found no one to sympathize
with them in their pleasures
One of the duties of Judge, as stated above
is to hold his Courts sufficiently long or often te
keep the dockets of his Circuit under his control
This Judge Thompson appears to have neglected
go far as relates to that of Augusta county. Thi.
is referred to as a fact and not intended to bt
imputed to an indisposition to labor or design
When he was elected to the Judicial Office the
Common Law Docket of the Circuit superior
Court of Law for Augusta County must have
been very small; for the Common Law Issue
Docket of that Court, in that County, at the
June term, 1885, only contained, as reported
about forty-fve cases. Notwithstanding this
however, the number of cases was permitted te
increase, from year to year, until the June term
1843, when it amounted to about two hundred
and forty-fve cases. The number varied from
this period to the year 1854 when it was fount
to contain about two hundred and seventy cases
There were several provisions made by the Leg
islature to prevent this increase of the docket
or business of the Courts but they appeared no
to have been noticed. They soiW be fully exam
amined. JUNIUs.