The weekly clarion., 1870-01-01


buttwO.
LETTER FROM "a LAWYER -
Mr.. Editor IL addressed TO Gen. j. l..
Alcorn, through late issue of your paper,
few suggestions on the subject Of the or
ganization of the judiciary Of this State
aud in doing 30 I mentioned the names OF a
large number of lawyers who would make
eminent Judges of the High, Circuit and
Chsncery Courts. ! did this without con-
sulting any one Of the persons named-and
without any assurance that any one Of them
would accept. ] think 1t due to them that |
should state this much-and moreover, am
sure from my knowledge Of the men, even
IL they would accept, that not one OF them
lo0uid apply for The dppOiHtmcHt-but the ap-
pointment. If made of any one of them, must
be the Uolautarg oGertng Of Gen. Alcorn. !
have no doubt but that such person named
by me, is greatly dependant upon his pro-
fession for the support OF himself aud fami-
ly. and fully obtains such support ia that
way, while perhaps the salary would not
yield asupport, especially to those OF large
families, this consideration might aud prop
erly would compel some Of them TO decline
such positions, If rendered to them. The
remedy for this may be easily provided, by
an increase of the salary, already too small
TO command men of the first order OF abili-
ty, who are dependant upon their profess
sions. Before the war most Of our leading
lawyers had acquired independence and
fortune, and looked 10 these stations as pla-
ces Of honorable retirement from the Bar
without regard To compensation. They
were then rich enough. but HOo TOO DoOr 10
enjoy The Honor. Beside this. the cost Of
hCtng is HOio double thdt Jefore he ,oar, and
further, the lawyer in full practice, who
abandons IL for the Bench, seldom rcgains
It after leaving the Bench, and IL ever, alter
considerable delay, and no fortune or means
can be acquired by present salaries--it lol-
lows that to secure the official services Of
such men. the salary must be increased The
salary really never was enough Tor such men.
as the cost of outfit travel. tavern bills etc.
consumed at least one half Of it,and divorced
the official from all private interest and
other business yet IL Is 100 large for men tsho
hare not The strict qlaIg Igcatign and merit Jor the
station.
IL may be deemed a delicate matter by
some such men, If not all, TO accept such
places from Gen. AlcOrn, inasmuch, az they
may not have supported his election, and Il
might be deemed a compromise OF them
selves. SO Gen. Alcorn might regard that
TO make such appointments outside OF his
party friends would be compromising him
self. If the judiciary was political In its
nature and character, this might be true a.
to both, bat since It is not and should not be.
this objection can have no force, with eth
er. If the Governor declines 20 nominate on
that ground or the nominee 20 accent ON
that ground, the very evil must result 10 the
country that every good man would avoid.
The Governor would be forced 10 select from
his party and the State would be compelled
TO endure rehash Of the present anlction.-
10 appoint our best men, would give con-
elusive evidence of pure, wise and noble
purpose, on the part of the Governor, and
for such persons TO accepLwould give equal
ly high evidence of patriotism and manli-
ness. / therefore hope. earnestly aud truly,
that the meeting and settlement Of this ques-
tion will be mutual,a as the only means Of OBJ
tanning wise, great and pure judiciary, 20
the honor Of all parties and the delight OF
the State.
/ think one great and Indispensable quali-
ty Of a good judge, is energy and industry
About one-halfof the Circuit and Chancery
Courts OF the State, have not been held In
the last year, an when hel d, have failed 10
complete the business The High Court has
not worked. It's business is far behind
many cases have been submitted In that
Court for two years and yet no decision
Many cases have accumulated on its docket
long since ready for submission, and sub
mission refused by the Court. Great injury
and losses have resorted TO the parties bv
these delays, and these delays arise from a
want Of Industry and application to the
business by the judges. They could have
worked up, had they applied themselves
strictly TO the business. Why they have
not done 30, whether from visits for pleas
ure or In other interest 10 Washington. New
Orleans, and other places, or attention Ia
their private cares and business, or from idle
indisposition, / know not. only know
that but little has been done.
LAwxER.