Boise news. (Bannock City, I.T. [Idaho City, Idaho]) 1863-1864, 1864-02-27
Judge Parks, Address to the Bar.

The following is only the substance of tn
remarks Of his Honor, Judge Parks, at tn,
opening of Court for the first time in Bois
Basin, on Tuesday last, and is furnished u
for publication at the earnest request of mem
bers Of the bar,
GENTLEMEN OF THE BAR
Before proceeding with the regular bust
hess Of the term, / owe it to myself, to you
and to the people of this county, to make
few remarks.
The position of Judge of the Second Judi
scial district. was not sought for by me: In
saying this do not mean that the position ls
not an honorable one. On the the contrary,
(, 1t is one of which an ADLER man than am
might well be proud. But it was my desire
and expectation, and l believe 1t was yours,
that the Chief Justice of this Territory should
be assigned to this district. There is in this
part of the Territory far more population and
legal business than in either of the other dis
tricts. There are many cases pending here
involving character, liberty and life. There
are others upon which depend large pecuuia-
ry interests. 1t is doubtful whether any court
in so new country ever needed more ability,
. integrity and experience.
This district properly belongs to Judge
Edgerton, not only from his position as Chief
Justice, but from his high moral and official
character, and his large experience. But
circumstances rendered it announcement, if not
impossible, for him to be here; while the
pressure of business in your court, the crowd
ed state Of your jail, and the natural impa-
thence Of your people, made it necessary that
a court should be held at as early day as
possible Under these circumstances, Gov.
Wallace assigned this district to me. / con-
sented to the arrangement reluctantly and
with deep sense of the responsibility it de-
volved upon me. To some, and perhaps to a
considerable extent, the property, the liberty
and'the lives Of many men.depend upon my
action as Judge of this court. do not think
that any Judge can always decide Alright. /
know that cannot. All that can promise
is, thatto the best of my ability l will dis
charge the duties incumbent upon me, and by
so doing strive TO secure the confidence of the
bar and the people. And from my acquaint-
anCe for some months past with some of your
number, and the cordial greeting you all ex-
tended to me on my arrival among you, and
the uniform courtesy with which you have
treated me since, / feel confident that | shall
have your assistance in the effort to make
this court means Of suppressing disorder
gnd1TTong, and promoting good morals, har
mony and peace.
Whatever popular prejudice there may be
against the profession Of the law, it is a use
tul and noble one,--calculated, when properly
pursued, TO expand and elevate the mind and
i, heart, and has furnished many of the lofiest
inteIlects and purest characters that have
adorned the history of our race. Associated
in fraternaI relations with the members of
such profession here, cannot doubtgthat
shall find them in the conduct of the business
of this court devoted to the real and substan-
tial interests of their clients, and not to tech
nicalities and forms,-relying for success not
upon artifce and fraud, but upon professional
knowledge and skill,--laborihg not 10 en-
barrass, but to assist The court.
Amid the difficulty and embarrassments Of
an untrieds position, OF an unfamiliar practice,
and Of heavy respOnsibility,-I rely for success
much upon your assistance and generosity.
In some degree my reputation depends upon
the result of this court If it shall not sue
coed, lam sure the f.ult will not be yours.
Hoping that it may not fall and tina: the just
expectations Of the community may not be
disappointed, l enter upon the discharge of
the duties of the Office assigned me.
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