Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-17
THURSDAY, APRIL II, N3.
Who shall be Judge.

Our Governor has upon him the impor-
tant responsibility of appointing q Judge
OF the Supreme Court whose service will
begin when Judge Kent's term expires In
May. 1t is a matter Of no small moment.
Not many things are more important to
the people of Maine than that its highest
Court be kept pure and elevated in the
character of the men who constitute 1t.
Judge Kent whose second term Is about
running out, has been an honor and orna-
ment to the bench. There are few men in
the State who are his peers in all the essen.
nals that 60 to make good Judge. But
he is, while vet in full faculty, more than
seventy years Of age, and both he and his
his term successor would be appointed.
Under these circumstances there has
been in the Eastern part ofthe State, nearly
complete centreing of public sentiment
upon Hon. john A. Peters, as the fittest
man for the place soon to be vacant. Not on
ly the lawyers, but business men and prop
erty-holders who appreciate aclear head
and an upright life join in this sentiment
and wherever il has been manifested the
movement has been voluntary. Mr.. Peters
is not seeking the place. To this unanim-
ity in this part of the State must be added
the voice of very large portion OF the
legal profession in other sections, in some
counties this expression coming from more
har. hor
strong that the chance to secure such
man for our highest Court. does not offer
every year. and that it should be gladly
seized.
But We have regretted TO see in some
instances. in the press of this State, dis
position 10 question the wisdom of Mr..
Peters appointment to so important po-
sition. and we are moved thereby to say
few words. We can speak with some
authority because Ellsworth is Mr.. Peters
native town, where for more than half
century he and his family have been known
root and branch. Man and boy, Mr.. Pc
iers has been seen here in his in-comings
and out-goings, during his entire life. He
honorable college graduation TO study his
profession, and while his home has been in
Bangor for the last twenty-five years he
h. continually been in the practice of law
in this county and in business, politics and
social intercourse, has kept up an intimate
relation with our people. In that time we
have seen him as the admirable and sue
cessful lawyer whose merit has been is
plain with judges as with juries and who
has yet scrupulously maintained the high
tone and dignity of the profession. lie
has entaneled no man uselessly in law he
has stirred up no strife. With this, he
has been a straightforward and trustwor-
thy business man and citizen with vital
and animating integrity of character that
he inherits from his father. and 4 faithful
ness in performing every duty laid at his
door, that we wish more men would emu.
late. His domestic and social life has
been such that where he is best known he
is both best respected and best loved. All
classes and professions will bear us out in
this. In this whole region where Mr.. Pc
ters' life has been open as day, bar and
bench, clergymen and laymen, the most
sober, and Temperate bear willing testi-
..,~-..- ..utn OF what We say. We
speak with q certain feryor for we know
of what we speak. What more is wanted:
If il is not of such timber that good
judges are made then we have much to
learn as to high judicial tribunals.
GOV. Perham has always shown an ear
nest desire to do that which is best for the
State that has three times elected him to
its highest office. He has sought to keep
himself above narrowness and prejudice
in his appointments. We believe he will
do so now. There are no perfect men,
but this we know, that neither Governor
Ferham,nor any other governor of Name,
since we have known anything of Judi
cial appointments has selected any man for
the Supreme Court OF whom more good
things and fewer bad things could be said
than can be truly said of Mr.. Peters. Let
us have him for Judge.