The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-19
SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Letter from Chief Justice George w.
woodward Declining denomination.

Letter from Chief Justice George w.
Woodward Declining denomination
From The PittSburg Post, January II.
BY the following correspondence, it will be seen
that the Hon. George w. woodward declines posi-
lively being again candidate for q seat upon the
Supreme Bench. This determination will be re-
ceyed with regret by the pubic though his reasons
for 1t are dignifed, and will command respect. VIZ
woodward Chief Justice of supreme Court of
Pennsylvania Dear Sir: Next tail tho citizens of
Pennsy vaDialwilI be called upon to elect judge of
the Supreme Court. 1he public mind would be
greatly relieved and the public heart greatly graIed
to know that you would consent to be a candidate.
so ably, so acceptably, have "been clear in
great Office" that you have won the confidence.
aff cton, and admiration Of all men. We know of
no man in Pennsylvania of more pure and unsul.
lied character, of more emnents abilities as jurst
or greater worth as citizen and we earnestly truss
bodied you. to continue to adornIthe position you
have filled so long and so well.
We are, with great respect,
Very truly yours,
GEoRqE F. HAMILTON, THOMAS = KEENAN'
CHRIST. MAGEE, ID. d. BRUCE,
Z. Is. hENNEY, n. /, FErrERMAN.
PHILADELPHIA, January IA 1s67.-Gentlemen:
In answer to your very kind note of the 7th instant
l am obliged to say, have said in answer to
numerous inquiries OF the same sort, that my pur-
pose has long been unalteraby fixed to retire from
the bench at the close Of my constitutional term in
December next do therefore most respectfully
but definitely, decline denomination, and wish to
i have been deeply impressed by the generality
of the desire that should remain upon the bench.
For year past have been in receipt of such COM
municaiOns on the subject, from every part OF the
state and from all classes of citizens, as to leave
no doubt, or room for doubt, that the Democratic
people universally wish for my reelection and that
many Republican lawyers would cheertully consent
to it.
j allude to this fact, not merely to expresssmy
gratitude for the public confidence which it implies,
but also to say that it has put me upon serious
review of the grounds OF my decinaton. Not mean
ing to state all the that have led to reso
luton, 1t is due to gentlemen who address as you
have done that should remind you that thirty
years ago l maintained, in the Reform Convention,
that fifteen years were in general a sufficiently long
tenure for Judges of the Supreme Court that fifteen
years ago, when took the office, declared against
renewal of the term that this declaration has been
upon the subject; and that two years since re-
moved my residence from this city to Wllkesbarre,
change OF residence which would not have been
made if any thought OF reelection mad been enter
tanned.
Having advocated the substitution of the limited
for the lite tenure was unwilling to take aUy per-
soma a9Vahtaee from IT, ana thereloTe perempt2rLY
declined nomination IN 1851, which would have
displaced one of thee incumbents, and the vacancy
which came on the bench to fill IN 1852 was occa-
soned, not by the constitutional limitation, but by
the death of JuGae Coulter. But now, being the
first Judge who has completed the term of fifteen
years under the amended CO. situuOn, seems TO
me TO be my duty in accordance with the sentiment
of 1887, to retire to give place to fresh recruit,
know 1t is common 10 say, that as the Office Is
a difficult and Tespor sible. one man with fifteen
years of experience in it is better qualified to
cute it than man taken from the Common Pleas
OF from the ranks OF the profession; but an Observa
tion of many years has led me to think that the
public loses more by the infrmities OF advancing
age and the pertunctory routine into which judges
Iall, than is gained by long experience.
Mon are not ordinarily placed upon this bench
until they have attained mature life and have had
considerable experience in the profession of la v
mere novice would, indeed, be greatly out of place
IN court OF so large and diversified jurisd ctiOn.
But when man. past middle life. has served fifteen
years, it seems to me he ought to hesitate about
assuming Onerous duties for fifteen years more.
The question of the renewal of the lease ought to be
considered, not so much in respect present quail.
hcatons as 10 continued competency. II his facul.
ties tail not, the tendency Of long continuance in
office is to careless habits of study and business
IL there is any virtue in the limited tenure am
UndeT peculiar Obligations to give the people the
benefit OF it, and whatever others may do il is espe-
cially my duty to guard the public against the evils
| therefore, is final.
Renewing my thanks for your too kind estimate
| or my public services, am, gentlemen, with great
| regard, your obedient servant,
GEORGE w. Woodward.
! To James IL. Hopkins, George p Hamilton Tohn
H. Bailey, r. p. Flenniken, H. BurgwiD ESQ