The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-04-08

vexatious tediousness OF proceedings at com.
mon law, be finally accepted as one OF
ton, or is it a nuisance which age cannot MAKE
respectable and for which prescription is
pleaded In vain?
Is it really necessary in the nature OF tnl9gs-
that sthe laws delay" which, the great ORA
matist of England 270 years ago specified as
one of the leading temptations 10 SUICIDE IN
the philosophic mind OF the Danish prince
is it absolutely necessary that this noary evil
shall continue to defy the jurisprudence OF the
new world, nay, to augment with our rapid
advance in population and wealth. or may not
the same spirit of honest and intelligent inn
provement so characteristic OF our century
and our country and which in every other de-
partment of science has achieved such magi-
cal reforms, be able at least to mitigate, if not
ultimately TO remedy public wrong which
has become well nigh intolerable?
Such delay tends directly TO demoralize soci-
ETY. by wearying and discouraging the honest
and industrious, while it Temps and shelters
the extravagant. the reckless, the lazy and the
fraudulent. Affecting the aohole community,
it subjects the legal profession to special re-
proach, and in the end diminishes their in
comes notwithstanding the popular impression
to the contrary. 1t tends to bring the courts
and the law itself into contempt one OF the
worst calamities thai can beiall a popular
government. 1t is palpable vocation OF the
| constitution OF our State. ~
This bar has suffered too much and too long
| from the evil not to appreciate its magnitude,
| and N confident that may rely on your un-
| animous and efficient assistance in conducting
| the business of the Court with that thorough
ness and dispatch which shall realize the Just
| expectations of the Legis ature and the Gov
ernor when they sought to acilitate the prompt
| ADMINS ration of justice by establishing a
| Superior Court in the County of Cumber-
| land" And it is to be hoped that the motto
| emblazoned on our seal, "Citd juTis ddniniS-
| tratio, may constantly remind me that the bar
aud the county have right to require that
| promptnes> and industry in the judge, with
out which the best efforts of the counsel must
prove but imperfectly successful. 80.
Gentlemen of the Bar-Wlth sincere desire
to meet your wishes by proper discharge OF
the responsible, delicate and difficult duties
which devolve upon me, but with a profound
distrust of my oxn ability, enter upon the
judicial Office. Most gratefully acknowledge
ing and deeply approaching the graceful but
undeserved compliment which the learned
gentleman whom you have selected to repre-
sent you has seen fit TO address to your new
judge, yet deem it my duty here at the out
set frankly to confess MY conscious less OF the
inadequacy OF my legal attainments to my
conception of the requirements of the posi-
zion. But / promise you my unwearied eff
forts to supply the deficiency, and am too
well assured OF your Partially TO doubt that
you will Ill the meantime largely supplement-
my shortcomings by the amplitude OF your
own wisdom, generosity and torbearance.-
Recognizing in this ancient, honorable and
learned bar,-honOred alike by the illustrious
memories Of the departed as by its numerous
wing Ii members who have adorned the Supreme
Court Ct the State and OF the nation, distinguish
ed in the forum, eminent in the halls OF legisla-
tioD, gracing the lofty realms ofpoetry and liter
AZURE, or wearing the sears OF honorable battle
and enjoying their country's ratitude for he
roic deeds in its defence upon the tented field,
recognizing in the bar of Cumberland the
safe repository for more than century of the
rights and best interests of your felow-citi-
zens, shall endeavor in all things to ascer-
tain, and so far as possible to be guided by
your wishes, confident that in SO doing shall
best advance the chief purpose of all law-the
protection of private rights and the promotion
of the public good.
With your indulgent aid, shall apply my
self first TO ascertain my duty to litigants, to
prisoners and to the State, and then firmly
and impartially to do it.
And while 1 have the honor to preside over
this court, may never cease to endeavor to
follow "haud passbus aquis" the great jurists
of this bar who in their administration of JUS
tce fl ON this bench, have So nObly realized
the almost inspired ideal of the Roman poet
Justum &C tenacem propositi virum
Non cjvium ardor prava Jubentium,
Non vultus instantls tyranni
Men quatit solida, neque Auster, 1-r
DuX lnqueti turbidus Adria, 1r1
Nee iulminantis magma Inanus Jovis;
81 tractus iltaha cribs,
1lnpavidum ferient ruiDB.
Gentlemen, the court is now ready to pro-
coed with the business of the term.
uar OFFICERS OF THE COURT.
The Judge has appointed Giles Halves, Of
New Gloucester, Crier, and VIM. A. Stilhngs of
this city. Messenger. Sheriff Parker has des-
ignated William Paine, of Standish as Officer
of this Court, when the Supreme Court shall
be in session, end the Clerk, Mr.. Fessenden,
has appointed VIM. X. Neal to be Clerk, in
the same events, both of which appointments,
the Judge has approved. .......
The jury was empannelled as follows:
Thomas S. Dunning. (Foreman) Brunswick
VIM. H. Barton, Naples.
Curtis Collev, Falmouth. d 111I
John r. Griffin, New Gloucester.
Israel A. Kemp, Gorham. rsaf
James s. Libby, Scarborough.
John Lovett, Portland. fGr a
VIM. Rich, Standish. tst.
John w Russell. Yarmouth.
Royal Senter. Brdgton.
Elbrdge G. Simpson, Brunswick. .ftr RI
Charles f. rhrasher Portland.
The first case in order, and which is now on
trial, is as follows:
No l, Fred. NJ. Thayer VS.. Joseph Chesley.
Assumpsit on Note. Defence-Signature
not genuine.
Symonds, - Haskell.