Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-04-08
DOMESTIC NEWS.
The DeI.were Ju.leiary.

PERSONNEL OF THE STATE JUDGES.
A writer in the Georgetown CSussex Co. ]
Journal induges in some pleasant personal gos-
sip about the present State Judiciary.
CHIEF JUSTICES IN rHE r,sr.
He says; AS boy, we remember on the
bench, Chief Justice John M. Cla, ton followed
by Richard Bayard. Booth and Harrington now
the Hon Il. W. dilpin presides over our Supe-
rior Court and Court Of Oyer and Terminer.
supported by his brother associates Wootten,
Houston and Wales.
CHIEF JUSTICE GILPIN.
Judge Gllpin is about Go years Of age As has
many other men of note, he began life az tan
ner boy. Industry and study prepared his legal
mind for the bar. He was soon after appointed
Attorney General and reappointed, filling both
terms with marked credit, and years after his
Official term had expired. while pursuing quietly
his profession and enjoying lucrative practice.
he was called by the almost single voice OF the
Bar Of the state to fill the vacancy occasioned
by the resignation Of Chief Justice Harrington
in May, 1857. Here the place sought the man
and put him in upon the theatre of his real tai
ent He is impartial and able. We think his
strong point is in analyzing difficult question,
sitting out the unimportant Ingredients arrang-
ing the essentials in close logical order and for
hfVing them with strong force of reason. He
has the faculty OF quickly oomprehending case
and dispatching business rapidly. Years ago
business pushed the court, now it is ready for
any emergency. .
THE AssoCIATE5-JUDGE woorrEN.
Judge Wootten is little sangnine, well pre-
served gentleman OF about 5S years. He too
belongs to the class who built their fortunes
from their own materials. He has the confidence
Of the public as a faithful servant. We once
heard the present Chief Justice remark II have
great confidence in my brother Wootten. He is
to me good support. Whenever question Of
Importance is to be deoi led and have arrived
at conclusion, II his is the same, always feel
greatly strengthened, for l am sure to be right.
He was matter Of fact. bold, convincing, COM
mon sense advocate and is aJudge OF highinteg-
rity Of character.
JUDGE HOUSTON.
Judge Houston is a rather small, wiry man Of
about 81 years; was considered before going on
the bench, one Of the most hnisehd, eloquent
speakers the bar of the State afforded. He is a
graduate Of Yale and an able lawyer. He led the
defense Of the famous Windsor trial with Messrs
Bayard, David Paul Brown and Robinson. We
cannot forget his simple pathetic opening; "Lit-
tie did think, when little boy in the village Of
Concord, while fondling upon and handled by
the prisoner at the bar, l should be called upon
to defend him against charge OF murder. ;"
He spoke five hours and made the grandest eff
fort OF his life.
JUDGE WALES.
Judge Wales, the youngest member Of the
Court, had, too, the advantages Of q collegiate
training. He is pleasant, popular gentleman (;
was elevated to the bench before he had the op-
portunity Of gaining distinction at the bar. He
Is said to possess a superior mind, TO be good
lawyer and popular with his Judicial brothers.
The last two are bachelors; beyond this Offend
ing nothing can be said.
The writer compliments Attorney General
Lore, and refers to his conduct OF the case Of
the State u.s. Goldsborough.