Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-01-03

THE SUPREME COURT OF PEEE'A.
Inquiries are frequently made. when
tile term of this or that Judge or the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ex-
pircs; when vacancies hare occurred
J by death or otherwise; and who werc
elected TO eli such vacancies. The
following compilation answers all
these questions, aud gives. in brief, q
complete history of onr Supreme
Bench, from 1S5I-tlc rear vie first
elected Bifigesnnder the cauendcl Con-
siitntion, down TO the present. time
4 y !. = Il nsktfxf u lntrrest q W ~ ssil
worthy Of preservation for reference
IN 1850 The Constitutional Amend
ment malling all the Judges Of this
Commonwealth elected by the people
was perfected During the session OF
< 1851 the Legislature divided the State
into judicial districts, and made All
other provisions requisite 10 give full
effect to this change in the organic
law. In tho following autumn the
first election for Judges was held.
For the Supreme Bench the Demo
Gratis nominated Jeremiah s. Black ,oi
Somerset Ellis Lewis, Of Lancaster.
John B. Gibson of Cumberland, Wal.
ter H. Lsowrie Of Allegheny and james
Campbell. of PhilaGalphIa.
The Wings nominated Richard Conl-
ter, Of Westmorciand, Joshua III C0m-
lly, Of Montour, George Chambers. Of
Franklin, VIM NJ Meredith, ss Phila.
delphia, aud William Jessup, OF Sus
quehanna-
All the Democrats were elected
lexcept Cambell who fcll behind his
ticket because of i strenuous opp0si
tion 70 him from men 10 whom he wa.
personally objectionable The only
7 Whig elected was Coulter
The Judges elect drew lots for ths
period each was 10 serve Black drew
for tllrce years, LAWS for six, Gibsor
flor nine. LowrIe for twelve. and Conl
F: ter tor the full term OF fifteen years
. Black, having the shortest term, wa.
Chief Justig-e.
Coulter died in April, 1859. Toll
lthc vacancy the Wings nominated Jo
. scph Burlington, of armstrong th'
Democrats George W. Woodward. 0
n Luxerne, Woodward was elected.
1. Gibson dIfd il May, tS53 For III
vacancy the Wings nominated Thoni
as A. Badd, OF Philadelphia; tho Dem
. ocrats. john G. Knox, OF Ti0ga- kn0.
was elected.
In 1854 the Democrats nominate.
| Black for reelection the Whigs uOm
mated Daniel III Sinyscr, Of Mont
gomcry, Black was elected, Levi
became Chief Justice.
/. IN 1851 the Democrats nominate,
Wm. Strong, OF Berks, in place Q
Black, who had accepted the ofice o
! Attorney Gen. under President Bu
chanan, and James Thompson .of Eric
in place OF Lewis, whose term Of scs
vice was expiring. and who declined
denomination. The Wings nOmina
ted James Neech, Of Faycttc and u
seph :. Lewis. of Chester. Both IN
Z Democratic candidates were choser
Lowrie became Chief Justice.
In 1855 the Republicans nominate
! John H. Read. OF Philadelphia, to Il
the vacancy made hy Knox bccomin
Z Attorney General under Gov Packer
r The Democrats nominated VIM 4
= Porter. OF Philadelphia. Mr. Rca
!. the Republican nominee was clcctes
In 1865 the Democrats nominate
q Iowrie. who had been Chief Jns.ic
3 six years, for reelection. The Repul
( iicans nominated Daniel Arnew. Z
+ Beaver Agnew Was chosen. Woo,
= ward became Chief Justice.
The Bench Is now occupied B
Il Woodward. whose term viii expire J
1867, Strong and Thompson. who.
+ terms will expire II I So Read who's
: term viii expire iu 1873 and Agney
l. who win ro ont Ia ISIS II Strcr
(. and Thompson sArual i--ti, s,~ct, sh
+. Bench when Noodwards term sha
= end. they VIII cast lets for the Chi
: 1usiiceship
: OF the present Judges. as has a
j.. ready been seou. Woodward. Strou
and Thompson v-erc elected as DCr
4 ocreis. Read and Agnew as Repa
= licans.- F1lsfe Sprif.
> TEEasox TRgAgs.-The first trcasr
4 case, consequent un0n the bate rets