Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-05-06
For the Register.

LAC ciiS HVeSI luinludIy Vi Tie pres
ent age has just appeared above the ho-
rizon, in the person of E. A. Bennett,
Auditor of Public Accounts of the State
Of West Virginia From small star
which scarcely radiated single ray un-
til now, this radiant luminary, Bennett,
with a benefcence unequalled, has con-
descended to enlighten the whole pub
lie mind Of the State, especially the
good people of the County of Jefferson
His extraordinary and astounding de-
velopment OF genius is found in a
recent letter of his to Truman w. Pot
tertield, late Sheriff of this County, and
published in the Free Press at Charles
town. Bennett, the Auditor of the
State, too learned and astute to be cir
cumscribed by the legitimate duties of
his office, has usurped the authority of
the Judiciary, and given his august de-
cision, that the disorganizing Board of
so-called Supervisors, which has no le
gal or constitutional basis to stand up
on, and Of which Logan Osborn is the
pretended President, is the Legitimate"
Board Of this County. Judge Bennett
has so decided, and such simple people
as the editor Of the Free Press declare
that Judge Benefits decision has set
tied that question beyond all controver-
sy The Judge of the Circuit Court,
and the Court ofAppeals, were cropping
i'll the darkness of an unsettled question
until Judge Bennett arrayed himself in
the Judicial ermine, and has anticipa-
ted these Courts by his decision Of the
controversy. The genius of Judge
Bennett, hitherto cramped by the du-
ties Of i subordinate office, has eXplo-
ded, and from simple Auditor of Pub
lie Accounts, he has constituted himself
the highest Judge in Israel, and con-
strained all those who hold commissions
as the Judiciary of the State ''to hide
their diminished heads behind the
shadow of his voluminous ermine. I'm
fortunately for Judge Benefits decis-
ion, he is little tardy. How will he
excuse his laShes ? Mr.. Pottcrteld,
long before the advent of Judge Ben
nett's decision, had recognized the true
and legitimate Board holds its meetings
at the County-seat Mr.. Pottertield APP
peared before the legitimate Board and
moved the appointment Of committee
of the Board to settle his accounts as
Sheriff, and on his motion the President
and Clerk of the Board were appointed
q committee TO settle his accounts.
In consequence of the vast i'm
portance bearing, and astuteness of
Judge Benefits decision, it would be
discourteous to pass it by without fur
Their notice.
This Mr. Bennett, by supcrhuman
effort of his genius, having emerged
from his chrysalis State rs Auditor of
Accounts, into full fedged Judge of
the highest order and capacity, will not
be content to be cramped by the simple
duties of Auditor unless the Legislature
of the State, at its next session, clip his
wings, and stop his erratic flights
Judge Bennett will no doubt be aston
ished when the affirmation is made, that
his judicial decision is pregnant with
Ignorance of law and facts. Wedesign
no contempt of his Honor by this as
sertion, but advise him hereafter to heed
the maxim: ne Suior ultra erc,pidum.
His decision has one merit. it settles
nothing, decides nothing, and even ben
efts nobody, and can do no harm to any
one save to its recipient, Mr., Potter
field and his securities, on his official
bonds, provided he, the late Sheriff, dis
regarding his recorded recognition Of
the legitimacy of the true Board is
credulous and supplemented enough to
be controlled by the decision Of a man
who has written himself down an ass.
We are too much delighted by the com
mendable spirit and ambition of Judge
Bennett to discard the subordination of
an inferior position, and to throttle the
Judiciary of the State, that we are very
reluctant to let him 90, and await with
interest and patience the next flight of
his transcending genius, but in the
mean while, as special friend of the
Governor, we tender to him the advice
to watch closely and vigilantly his
neighbor, formerly the Auditor, now
the Judge, lest having already swallow
ed the Judiciary, he may next absorb
the Executive. BROCK.