The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-04-22
Who Shall he the Judge.

| Our Governor has upon him the important
responsibility of appointing 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 kent
pure and elevated in the character of the men
who constitute it. Judge Kent whose second
term is about running out has been an honor
and ornament to the bench. There are few
men IN the State who are his peers in all the
essentials that go to make good Judge, But
he is, while yet in full faculty, more than sew.
enty years OF age, and both he and his friends
nave expected that at the end of his term a
successor would be appointed.
Undee these circumstances there has been
IN the Eastern part Of the State, nearly a
complete centreing of public sentiment upon
Hon. John A. Peters, as the fittest man for
the place soon to be vacant. Not only law
yers, but business men and propelty-holders
who appreciate a clear head and an upright
life join in this sentiment and wherever it
has been manifested the movement has been
voluntary. Mr.. Peters is not seeking the
place. To this unanimity in this part Of the
State must be added the voice of a very large
portion of the legal profession in other sec
tlons, in some counties this expression COM
ing from more than majority. The feeling
has been strong that the chance to secure such
man for our highest Court, does not offer ev
cry year, and that it should be gladly seized
But we have regretted to see in some i'll
stances, in the press of this State, DISPOSE
ton to question the wisdom of Mr.. Peters
appointment to so important position, and
we are moved thereby to say few words. We
can speak with some authority, because Ellis
worth 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.. Peters has been seen here in his in
comings and out-goings, during his entire life.
He was here at school, and returned after his
honorable college graduation to study his pro-
fession, and while his home has been in Ban
gor for the last twenty-five years he has con-
tinually been in the practice of law in this
county and in business, politics and social in
tercourse, has kept up an intimate relation
with our people. In that time we have seen
him as the admirable and successful lawyer
whose merit has been as plain with judges as
with juries and who has yet scrupulously
maintained the high tone anu dignity of the
profession. He has entangled no man USE
lessly in law, he has stirred up no strife. With
this he has been straightforward and trust
worthy business man and citizen, with a vital
and animating integrity of character that he
inherits from bis father, and faithfulness in
performing every duty laid at his door, that
we wish more men would emulate. His do
nestle and social life has been such that where
he is best known be is both best respected and
best loved. All classes and professions will
bear us out in this. In this whole region
where Mr.. Peters life has been open as day,
bar and bench, clergymen and laymen, the
most sober and temperate bear Wiling testi.
mony to the truth of what we say. Wespeak
with certain fervor for we know of what we
speak. What more is wanted? If it is not
of such timber that good judges are made
then we have much to learn as to high judi
cial tribunals.
Gov. Perham has always shown an earnest
desire is 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
Gov. Perham, nor any o9her Governor of
Maine, since we have known anything of Ju-
dicial appointments has selected any man for
Supreme Court of whom more good things
and fewer bad things can be said than can be
truly said of Mr.. Peters. Let us have him
for Judge.-Ells,eorth American.