Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-10-07
To the Editors Of the Independent:

Before another moon our county
and State election will have pass
ed. Our candidates are all very
pleasant and agreeable to meet,
and / have often wondered II 1t
would not make us have a fellow
feeling, that does uot exist at any
other time, if it were possible for
ne all to be candidates. How the
shaking of hands is increased, and
with what vim the show do you
de 2" is given. But it is not the
man, who can smile or shake
hands the best that makes the best
officer; but generally the man who
keeps the even tenor of his ways.
After all the main thing the peo-
pie wish is capable, fearless, honest
men. The lack of these principles
will render any Office odious; and
any system nuisance. 1t is not
exactly the County Court system
itself, that renders it so costly, land
in many respects ridiculous, but
the near impossibility to get Off
GERS to fill its proper functions. 1t
may be said that the system
begets all the evils pertaining to it;
these are increased no doubt by
failure to get men capable to per-
form its peculiar duties. Officers
should reflect credit on the Office,
and not the Office on the officer.
Many men think it grand If they
can obtain Office, it matters not
how ridiculous they make them
selves,or how they may inconven-
fence the interests of others, their
impudence knows no bounds. The
question often comes up: What
manner of man could fill the posi-
ton of president of county court?
Would well read lawyer do?
Yes, if he was possessed of other
qualities requisite, for The position,
if he has not, no education alone
will fit him. Certain qualities for
the position must be Unborn or
else he will be a sorry failure. For
instance Justice Garnder fills the
bill. He was born justice and
can't help it 1t matters not what
other business he might have fol-
lowed, he was a born justice, and
the moment you put him in the
positian it develops itself. Now
would any one say that such a
man, made president of the coun-
ty court would not reflect credit
upon the system ? We think not.
What are his qualifications ? Does
he know much law? No. But he
does better he is always on the
side of law and order, and when
he is lost in the mazes of the law
he comes out right and for the
good of the community. Such a
man knows no partiality no dis
tinction of races, no titled aristOc-
racy; but keeps constantly in
view duty and order. 1t is sad to
see a court that does not under
stand its business, and men afraid
TO proclaim its own honest convic-
tions, independent of law when
they know none)for fear they may
offend the mighty. We have sat
and listened to a young sprig of
the law explain and then another
would explain for hours to one of
these courts, that did not know
the difference between common
law and statutory or a:bill in chan
Gerry. or a declaration in law, until
they looked thoroughly dunn
founded, but some one of them
seemed as though he was whisper
lag (by thunder we must give
decision) and then to add beauty
and farce to the lop-sided decision
the young sprigs are gesticulating
as if they were challenging each
other to mortal combat, Such
men as justice Gardner and con-
stable Frankinberry will be voted
for by both parties, because they
perform their duties we'll.
A VOTER,