Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-14
THE JUDICIARY-SO SOME OF TIE
MEN WHO 'FILL THE BILL"

1t will be rendered that at one
time when BrOwnlow was urged to
make judicial appointment, he
declared he would appoint no man
unless he would "fill the BILL" and
he made it a point not to order an
election unless he was satisfied the
people would elect such a man.
There are several very notable
specimens Of "Brownlow's Sort on
the bench in this State. The
Knoxville Press and Herald
says truly: "Next to the burdens
q taxation, there is no subject
about which the thoughtful, sub
stantial men of our State are more
deeply concerned than our degen-
crate judiciary, and there is no re,
form more anxiously looked for by
them than that which shall, in some
degree, at least, relieve them from
the insufferable curse of ignorant
imbecile, stolid, and, in too many
instances, corrupt judges CD upon
the bench" AS specimens of the
Eind that now pretend to administer
justice in Tennessee, q correspond
ent of the Greeneville National
Union mentions the following:
AT Jonesboro, Judge Howard, after
quoting freely from Lord Coke Lord
Kent and Lord Story said, in the trial
Of a case brought before him by a suit of
habeas corpus: There seems to be not
much evidence against the prisoner, but
| do not like TO establish a precedent Of
releasing a prisoner on habeas corpus
Judge Randolph, Of the Second Judi
cial Circuit, (the same who on hearing of
his election, exclaimed, Eight times
twenty-five hundred dollars is twenty
thousand dollars, and how much of this
can l save , at the opening Of one Of his
first courts, charged the Grand Jury by
reading to them from the code for six
hours, with these additional remarks :
Gentlemen Of the jury, this is the law if
has not been repealed; and whether it
has or not, | don't know
Judge Randolph lately held court
at SevierVllle; a prisoner was being tried |
for stealing an iron wedge. As is com.
mon, the indictment contained two
counts, one for stealing, the second for
having and cOncealing. In his charge to |
the jury his Honor said: If you find |
from the proof that the Value Of the |
property is less than ten dollars--and |
the proof is that the wedge is worth only |
seventy-iVe Cents-it is petit larceny |
etc. The Attorney General asked his
Honor to charge moro explicitly on the
second count of the indictment. His /
Honor replied: There is no need, sir;
you have the prisoner on the first count
These facts, Mr.. Editor, came from
unquestionable authority. Yet these
honors beat men Of fine legal attainments
for the position they now disgrace with
their ignorance. But it was in days gone
by. Let them try it now"
Iue A0OAklli6 L TUES anu 1lSlSAlN |
says: There can be no doubt
that the people will demand Of tho
State convention, when it assem-
bIes, a thorough reform Of our
present so called judiciary system.
In more respects that one, it needs
remodeling. As TO Howard Court,
that can not he endured till con-
vcntlon may meet. His path of
glory leads to an earlier gravethan
that. The prompt adjustment of
his institution by the Legislatuse
will relieve him from all disability !
for rosuming and pursuing his sue
cesslul practice in chaneery-more
in chronic divorce cases"