The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-04-12


In looking over the columns of one OF
two Of our exchanges, published in the
first judicial circuit, our uattentionS was
attracted to an article therein severely
criticising and cohdemning the action Of
Gov PorteFrin the appointment of a
Judge to fiji tire vacancy occasioned by
the death of Judge Gillenwaters. In
the article referred to, the action of Gov.
Porter is characterized as hasty ana pre-
mature. He is charged with acting with
too much precipitatfon in malcfng the
appointment. Yet nothing @is.~s said
against the appointee, Col. Mckinney,
but on the contrary he is admitted to be
a gentleman of personal worth and high
legal attachments, and IN, every way
competent for the position to which he
has been appointed Otis substantially
admitted that the Governor 11atiea good
appointment. Closely scanning the ar
'ticle, we can see no other object therein
than to assail the action of the Governor
as hasty. Now, we think our exchanges
referred to, are Justin tie sifuatioE fhey.
seek to place Governor Porter-that is,
they are hasty and premature in their
denunciations of his action, and we can
not stand still and see Gov. Porter so
ruthlessly and needlessly assailed, there
fore, in his defense rand for the benefit.
of our readers, we VIII look into the
premises and see whether or not his &C
tieHwas either Aqstz or premature. Now,
about the space of twelve months ago,
il was generally understood, throughout
the circuit, that Judge Gillenwaters
would resign his trust, on account of
physical debility" In anticipation of
such resignation various petitions were
forwarded to the Governor in the inter
est Of aspirants, With these petitions
was one endorsed by more than twenty
five lawyers, many of them the head
lights of the profession, and some, who
hasesheld high legal positions in Dis
trict and State, and all of whom are reg
lu1ar practitioners in this circuit. This
petition urged the appointment of Col.
Johh,A Mckinney, is ease a .UaeCncg DC
CURED; and, as our readers know, a va
cancy did occur; and this petition was
still atsthe Executive office, when the \
death of Judge Gi1Ienwaters was 'ap-
But in the meanwhile two or
three of the petitions referred to, were
and Gov. Porter notified !
that the aspirants theFein were no long
er asking the appointment; and the late
having died, while upon the
,ounds of his circuit, consequently the
courts were brought. to a standstill, |
here being no. mode lin such cases to
provide Judge, otherwise tifan by APP
of the Governor. And Gov.
Porter apprehendlng the situation, and
t being his duty to make an immediate,
ppointment, and having the,nalne of a
Gentleman admitted on all sides to be
TO FIJI tho position, }endorsed
y numerous members of the profession,
lade the appointment which, is now- as
allied as hasty. In view of these facts
pom which the GoYerflor acted, we
all to see where the argument comes
1 that he acted hastily. Ahd having
ED Hp. the case in its true light, we
SIX should our heightened Governor be
SAILED for his action? We think not,
nd we believe the great majority. of the :
eOples net only endorse the -so-called
aste, but heartily accept the appoint
ent made by him, as we have heard
any Of them express satisfaction there }
. And we conclude with the reflec- 7
on that all such assaults upon the &C c
ons of our State, Executive, will be re-
1diated by an enlightened public.