Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-11-09
HON. GEORGE R. BARRETT.


1t is with no ordinary feelings of
pride We refer TO our distinguished
fcllow.town Before us arc our
exchanges from the counties eompo-
sing his Judicial District, in all Of
which We find the highest enconiums
passed upon him, referring in glowing
terms to his career as an impartial
and able jusist.
We refer TO the fact that although
CIcar6eld, as county, has since her
organization held a third rate position
among the counties of tho State, as
regards population, improvements,
etc. But il is with pleasure that we
refer to that other fact, that she has
contributed a liberal share, and her
citizens have filled with singular abil-
ity and honor, the highest positions
in the Government, Executive, Legis-
lativc and Judicial.
1t is our duty at this time to Gull
from the mass of testimonials before
US TO refer TO the gentleman whose
name heads this article, and who has
spent the last forty years in our midst.
In Nay 1858, Gov. Biglcr appointed
Judge Barrett, President Judge Of the
22d Judicial District, composed of the
counties Of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and
Wayne, to fill vacancy caused by the
resignation of the late Hon. n b. El-
dred. Aitor holding his first term of
Courts he was importuned with sin.
gular unanimity to become a candid.
ate for election, but for personal rea-
sons declined. The Hon. James NJ.
Porter, (brothcr of Gov. Porlcr's) was
elected for a full term of ten years.
But in the winter Of 1854 he was
stricken with paralysis which caused
his resignation soon after. In April,
1855, the late Thomas S. Bell, who
previously held seat on the Supreme
Bench, was appointed to I'll the va
cancy. He became candidate for
full term, but had rendered himself
unpopular in the district. Judge Bar.
rctt, who was then practicing his
profession in this place, was solicited
by large portion of the members Of
the bar aud leading business men of
the district to become q candidate,
and he finally consented Judge Bell
doing his best to secure the district
nomination from the Democrats (both
being Democrats, but when the Dem.
ocrauc Conference met, Judge Bar.
rctt was unanimously nominated
The former then became a volunteer
candidate, the Republicans making no
nomination, but the lattcr was elected
by over 1000 majority. In 1865, at
the close of his first term Of ten years,
the Judge expressed a desire oflcaving
the Bench, but was importuned TO al
low his name to 90 before the Demo.
cratic Convention, and was again unan-
imously nominated and unanimously
elected, The Republicans not daring to
put candidate in the field. This
was certainly very high compliment,
considering the time and circumstan.
ccs just az the close of the war,
when patriotism was puncturod with
loyalty TO such degree that it was
almost treason for a Judge TO render
decision where Constitutional rights
were involved, and which did not
stink and shine, and shine and stink
of loyalty. During the preceding four
years the war feeling and partisan
strife ran high, and Judges like other
officers had to meet questions boldly
and dispose Of them, yet all parties
admitted the fairness aud impartality
Of Judge Barrett in administering the
law.
After the service Of FIVE years Of his
second term he has resigned. His
private and personal interests lead
him TO take this step. Hon. Samuel S.
Dreher, Of Monroe county, has just
been elected TO on the vacancy. His
predecessors in that district were such
eminent Jurisls as Chief Justice Glib.
son, Justice Burnside, Judges Mallory,
Scott, Jessup, Kiddcr, Eldrcd, Porter
and Bell, aud the record he has made
with the bar and people us manifested
through the papers, must be flatlcring
to him, or indeed, to any one else
similarly situated. The united tcsti.
mony OF the entire bar of four coun.
tics, at the end OF fifteen years Of
Judicial service, makes up a record Of
which he may well feel proud, and
must prove precious record to him
in the future