The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-01-22
THE snANcn1EoRsHrP.


Tie Clinton Democrat opposes the nomina-
ton Of Chief-Justice Beasley to the Chanccl-
lalship, and is in favor of Gen. Theo. Runyan.
1t says =
"The Chef-Justice is well known to all
classes of our people who have had to do with
the courts of the County for some years past.
He ought to know our people, too; for no
where can he have to deal with a community
which treats with greater respect the admins
traitors or adjudicators of law. ct Judge
Beasley, if he does understand our justice
loving people, has been singHlariy wanting III
regard for their feelings, their comfort or their
interests in the mutual relations which exist
between him and them. We need not state
the circumstances which prove what we say.
They are well understood in our County, and
we have heretofore found it our unpleasant
duty to remark upon them. But the fact can
not be trIthfully denied, that there is want
of sympathy and confidence between the peo-
pie OF this County and the Chief-Justice which
renders him remarkably unpopular"
This is certainly news to most persons. We
are aware that number of lawyers in the
county do not like him and we are inclined
to believe that the above article emanates from
one of them, in the absence of the editor, who
is occupying his seat in the Legislature. Why
these lawyers do not like the Chief-Justice is
well known. He insists on their bringing
their cases to trial, and is otincined to block
the wheels of justice by having rostponement
after postponoment, without good and sunf-
cicnt reasons being given. lie is firm and I'M
yielding in his decisions; makes them confine
themselves to the question on trial protects
witnesses from being "badgered by them,
and points out their msstatements. It is but
natural that they should not like him. There
is also another class that does not admire
Judge Beasey, viz the keepers of country
tavcrns and beer saloons. The Chef-Justice
has refused license to a number of these, be-
cause they were not required for the accom-
mediation of travellers, but were kept simply
as drinking places. The hotels at Larison's
Corner, Roscmont and Bulls Island are in
stances. He has also refused license to beer
saloons. It is but natural that they should not
admire the Chief-Justice. But beyond these
two classes, we donot know of any utisolated
cases of dissatisfaction. On the other hand,
we believe that the people of our county gen
orally have full confidence in the ability and
answering integrity of Chief-Justice Bcasley,
and would be pleased with his appointment as
Chancellor.
The Democrat, however, has candidate
who is "almost perfection. 1t says =
On the other hand, Theodore Runyan is in
this community one of the most highly esteem
ed and well-liked of the public men of New
Jersey. People of diverse political opinions
nr1 L..
lis ability and well-balanced judgment. And
to the Democratic majority in our County he
is especially endeared by his long, consistent
and unscliish devotion to their common princi-
pies. They have found him ever willing, at
amy personal sacrifice, to come among them
with his courteous but powerful advocacy of
their cause. Gov. Parker could not better
please the Iunterdon County people, in whose
regard he has himself SO long stood Justly ex-
alted than by filling the CHARACTERISTIC with
the great Judicial qualities of head and heart
which Gen. Rnnyan possesses and at the same
time honoring and rewarding one of the most
faithful and self-sacrfcing champions Of De-
moeracy IN our State"
We do moi desire to disparage Gen. Runyan
but we must say, we have never heard him
credited with any unusual legal ability. lie
is well-known as shrewd and sstonguy ,"
politician, more brilliant than deep, and al
ways on the lookout for an office but as
lawyer, he is inferior to a hundred others in
this State, of the same party, who have not
dreamed of aspiring to the CHARACTERISTIC. In
legal learning, scope of mind, and experience,
he bears no comparison to Judge Beasley
Whether Gen. Runyan's stump speeches for
his party, and his "self-sacriiicing devotion to
the Democracy" should be taken into consid-
Grafton in the appointment of Judge (especi-
ally since the Democracy talk so loudly for
civil service reform) is very questionable.
Judge Beasley is Democrat, but in all his
official life he has sunk the politician in the
judge.