Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-01
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, n. c.,
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER L, 1866.
Superior Court.

During the past week the term OF the
New Hanover Supericr Court has been IL
session, and would have continued during
the present week also, but through the
great industry of the presiding Judge, the
membe1-; of the bar and the officers of the
Court, a very large amount of business was
transacted. The State docket, consisting
of nearly one hundred cases, was entirely
disposed of, and the civil and equity dock
cts were gone through with, and many old
cases finally got rid of. We never recol'
lect of knowing so much business being
done at one term of the Superior Court.
His Honor, Judge MerTimon, presided
for the first time over tho Superior Court
of New Hanover, and he won most envl-
able reputation as q judicial officer for en-
erey, promptness urbanity and ability
His charge was able and elaborate, calcula-
ted not only to instruct the Grand Jurors
in their important duties, but to have a
wholesome effect upon the community at
large. He brought the same careful atten-
ton and thorough investigation to the con-
sideration OF charges against the poor, for
Torn negroes who filed the criminal box, as
he gave to the cases affecting whites and
meeting out punishment with impartial
hands, he gave the criminals every benefit
of previous good character
We regret to learn from Judge Merri-
mon his intention to resign. His retire
ment at this time we would regard as pub
lie calamity. We have before referred to
this fact, and deplored the necessity which
causes it. North Carolina has before this
lost the services Of very efficient Judicial
officers on account of the meagroness of
the salaries paid them, and many Of the
most prominent and capable lawyers OF the
State cannot afford to fill these positions.
We are certainly no advocate Of high sala-
ries in the present condition OF financial
affairs in this State, but we do feel that 1t
is poor economy to place our Judicial OIL
ces out of the reach of many OF our ablest
lawyers for want Of means. Positions SO
directly connected with every interest Of
life and property should at least command
the best talent IN the State.
The Grand jury unanimously recon-
mended the establishment by the Legisla-
ture Of City Court with criminal lurisdic-
ton. This recommendation met the hearty
approval of his Honor, and the Clerk was
directed to forward the application to the
Speaker of the next House of Commons,
after receiving the endorsement of the
Judge. 4 matter Of such evident lmpor-
lance and necessity, We know, will com
mend itself to the attention of our members
elect, and they will make every endeavor
to comply with the recommendation of the
Grand Jury, IN which they will be endorsed
by every citizen of the county, who attend
upon the sittings Of our Courts,
But one capital felony was tried during
the term, that being the case Of the State
against Lewis and Augustus Williams,
freedmen, upon the charge Of Highway
Robbery. The prisoners were most ably
defended by the Hon. George Davis and
julius w. Wright, Esq, under the assign
ment of his Honor and after IN atten-
tive investigation before Il jury of our
most intelligent citizens, and careful and
impartial charge by the Judge, they were
convicted, and subsequently condemned to
be executed Oh the 30th November next.
During the course Of the trial, we IL com
mon with those in attendance upon the
Court, as well as the Court itself, were
forcibly struck with the eloquent remarks
of Mr.. Davis in illustrating the political
lesson taught by the trial. While the peo-
pie of the North were prescribing us for
alleged cruelties to the freedmen, We wit
messed in this trial what might be seen at
the sessions of every Court held in the
State since the war. The prisoners
were friendless and poor, without means
and without social influence, and
charged with q hienous offence
Yet their case was receiving all the at
tention and efforts of counsel, at the re-
quest of the Court, as if they were the first
citizens in the land. The Solicitor for the
State gave them every consideration due
their forlorn situation, and the Judge was
as careful of their rights and as particular
in his instructions as if the prisoners came
with high social influence and "troops OF
friends while the jury, composed of our
leading men of business, gave the case that
earnest attention and careful investigation,
their oaths required and the terrible respon-
sibility resting upon them demanded
These facts Mr.. Davis presented as only
the true orator can, and while the evidence
was such that he could not acquit his clients,
his remarks most forcibly impressed upon
his hearers the great injustice being done
our people, while his advice as to the prop
er course 10 be pursued was wholesome and
made an evident impression upon all.
Wilmington & Weldon Railroad.
We publish elsewhere the result Of the
investigation of the charges against certain
of the officials of the Wilmington and
Il I'll