Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-05-28
"OUR JUDICIARY"

We know of no people for whose
character we have a higher appreci-
alton than for that Of the citizens of
Robertson county-brave, honest, in
dependent, Industrious and hospita-
bic. With this estimate, and in this
spirit, we propose 10 reply to com
munication, In another column, over
the signature of Robertson" and
headed ".our Judiciary The au-
thor sets out with expressions ofaver
sion and contempt for sectionalism,
or anything that would array one
section against another, and yet his
whole argument Is based on direct
contradiction of his own premise by
claiming for Robertson county the
Circuit Judgesbip, on grounds purely
sectional and loeal-that is that it
would be convenience to the people
of that county to have the Judge
resident among them.
But let us see how this would suit
the convenience of the entire Circuit,
for we agree with our correspondent,
"that the people of the different coun-
ties should look to the public welfare
as unit Now Robertson and Mont
gomery are so located as TO be within
quick and easy access to Judges in
Nashville, who, in cases of emergen-
cy can grant injunctions, or my
other extraordinary process requiring
promptness and dispatch; and If they
were the only counties in the Circuit,
it would be of little consequence
where the Judge resides. But the
Circuit embraces the counties of Stew
art, Dickson and Cheatham, lin adj
dition to Robertson and Montgom-)
cry which have not the convent
ences of travel possessed by the two
last named, and their convenience
ought to receive some consideration,
in the adjustment of this question:
Clarksville is of easy access to Cheat
ham, by river for two-thirds of the
year and, by the land route, just rs
convenient and almost as near as
Springfield, while Nashville is more
convenient than either. So, we think
IL will be readily conceded by any
fair minded man that, for the conve-
nience of Cheatham county, the
Judge should reside in GAINESVILLE,
rather than In Springfield. AS to
Dickson, GAINESVILLE Is certainly
nearer, and of easier access on nc
count of the river, and there can,
and will be no question of the greater
convenience to the people Of Stewart,
who are at one extreme of the circuit
and Robertson at the other, with
Montgomery lying between them
with the Cumberland running, al
most centrally through the county,
and the Memphis, GAINESVILLE & Lou
isville Railroad through another por-
ton of the same. So if we look to
the convenience and "welfare of the
entire Circuit as unit" there can
be no question that Judge residing
in GAINESVILLE Is more easily and con-
veniently reached by parties litigant
of the entire Circuit than one resi-
ding in Springfield, and for the reas-
on that Robertson is located on the
extreme eastern border of the dis
trict while Montgomery Is located
centrally, with the Cumberland flow
ing through, or along the border OF
every county in the District except
Robertson, which is connected with
GAINESVILLE by railroad.
We have entered into this argu-
ment to show to our correspondent
that, even on his own position, there
is no justice in the claim attempted
to be set up by him. Such claim
could be urged With more propriety
and justice by the citizens of Stewart
and Dickson, with no railroad run
ming centrally through their counties,
or by their county seats. Nor can il
be objected that they have not men as
honest, capable and faithful as either
Judge Rice or Col. Stark. Stewart,
IN her Brandon and Scarborough, can
give the Circuit Judge the peer OF
either of the honored names men
toned and Dickson, with her vete-
ran McNeeleys her accomplished
Collier and Morris, could furnish an
incumbent for this position, of whom
our whole people might he proud
But they are setting up no such claim
and all the gentlemen, named by u.s.
are the warm and earnest friends and
supporters of Judge Ricc's re election
They, like our correspondent and our
selves, have "religious contempt
for nll such issues we all have n com.
mon interest in having Judge, tc
preside over our Courts, of incorrupt,
lille integrity, high capacity, patient
and persistent application TO the du.
ties of the position, which rise above
the petty questions Of residence
county pride, or personal preference
and these, thank God, we have in
learned gentlemen of the bar, In Rob
crtsou, Cheatham, Dickson, Stewart
and Montgomery counties, and such
cannot be monopolized by any one OF
two counties of the Circuit.
The local question being disposed
Of and admitting the equal fitness o
Judge Rice and Col. Stark for the
ollice OF Judge, why displace the for,
mcr? We all know his pecuniary