Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-09
CHIEF JUSTICE NICHOLSON.
Why He Drew Doubie saIary-His
Course Defended
no sl,a Ir-.in.n- and American. - y - p. |

why tAe Drew DuuOlc S8AaEJ-AAln
Course Defended
To the Union and Americans
NASHVILLE, Dec. 8, 1S74-I have seen
an article in the Sparta Inder in reference
10 Hon. A. o. p. Nicholson, Chief Justice
Of our Supreme Court. The writer COM
plains of that distinguished gentleman be-
cause he drew his pay as Chief Justice and
at the same time drew pay as a member Of
the Arbitration Court, and indulges in
some severe structures. The facts are that
Judge Nicholson received by acct lent a Sc
we're hurt, which for time disabled him.
He was for weeks confined to his bed or
room. II became necessary for the Gov
ernor to appoint a special judge TO sit in
his place. In the meantime the Legisla-
ture was induced TO provide an Arbitration
Court, for the purpose of aiding the Su-
preme Court at Nashville in the disposal of
The docket, with power to sit while the
regular court was in session at Jackson.
and selected for that purpose Judge Niehol-
son. together with two lawyers to be ap-
pointed by the Governor. 1t was provided
That they should receive the same pay as
the Judges of the Supreme Court. Judge
Nicholson attended and served 10 the Arbi-
tTation Court. Though physically too dis
abled 10 attend the regular term at Jack
son, lie was enabled. by taking a room at
the Capitol, TO attend the Arbitration
Court, and did so ably, efficiently, and 10
the great benefit Of suitors and the profess
sion. Now If be had not been appointed
on the Arbitration Court, he would have
been entitled to draw his pay as Chief JUS
tice, although another was, by special APP
pointment, performing his duties and
drawing pay. Those who made tie Con-
stitutiOn and laws knew that all men were
liable to sickness or TO accidents, and they
have provided for such occurrences; but it
is the first time ever heard that when a
Judge got sick that his pay had to stop, for
this is the logic Of the article referred 70.
And the charge derives no strength from
the fact that Judge Nicholson, instead of
lying in bed as be might have done, yield
ed to the demands Of the Legislature and
the profession, and hobbled in and out of
the Arbitration Court, discharging this new
burden for the good of others. If he had
declined this new duty, his receiving pay
as Chief Justice would have been all right,
and no lawyer could have gsinsayed it.
Now, 1 ask, where is the wrong done by
him when, for this new and extra service
imposed on him by the Legislature, he
drew the pay expressly provided by law?
The truth is the Legislature, knowing he
coud not serve the term at Jackson, be-
lieving he could serve on the Arbitration
Court, and DESTROYS Of expediting the BUSH
ness on the docket at Nashville, demanded
his efforts in that capacity.
Ju'ge Nicholson has drawn no more pay
than The law allowed him, has done eff
Gent service, and is entitled to gratitude.
No public man in the State he's been less
liable to censure, and there is none purer
or more patriotic or self-sacrifciDg. The
charge made against hun is wholly unten-
able and unjust. JUSTICE.