Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-05-20
Tho Judiciary.

That man. We conceive, has low estimate
Of the judicial Office aud Its proper functions,
who seeks to make the incumbent Of the bench
partisan. OF al the departments o: the
government that which he serves should be
kept free from bias, favor or p5riiality. In
the discharge Of the duties Of bis high position,
BE should know no one except 70 dispense to
him even handed justice. His province is to
cxpouud the lsE, not 10 make it, and be should
enter u7oa The grave hbors assigned to him
with mind unwarped and unpreiadiced BY
{ofueuce from any class, OF condition Of socie-
ty. an Of whose interests are more OF less COM
mj,ied 20 bis protection and care. Other views
aud practices have recently prevailed and sad
ly mark a decline In tue purity Of the admin
istration Of public justice. No greater shock
las been given 70 the people Of this country
than was felt In the reorganization Of the SUI
rrsme judicial tribunal Of the land for the pur-
pose Of reversing one Of its own deliberate de-
cisions. The sense Of security. and safety,
heretofore felt was shaken. and al recognized
So the set an outrage upon deceDcy aud q gross
violleoa Of the fundamental principles on
vhish the judiciary Of people should rest.
WeTosret 90 see that an appeal has recently
been made to q p0gtioa Of the community for
their special support Of named candidate, in
che coming election, for place on lie bench Of
lhe Supreme Court Of Tie State, on the sup
posed ground Of lis favorable consideration Of
particular interests and, in opposition 90 known
facts, Of his assumed hostility to others. Are
precouseiyo1 opinions and prejuliccs such as
sire here Indicated tie proper preparation oithe
maud for The momeulous duties Of The bench {?
Is il sought 90 make ills contest 10 which
judicial candidates are 70 commit themselves
as she Ulicial representatives, Of classes AID
Interests aud to shape tteir opinions when on
the beucl to meet the wishes Of any comLiua-
tons, whether corporations, or associations Of
any ether form Are Judges TO become the
reEestoTs Of the varying views aud sentiments
Of those who elevate them to power, aud ne,
the administrators Of che law which they are
sworn to dispenser If there are grievances,
they are 70 be corrected by the Legislature and
especially such grievances os are hiuted at in
the communication 10 a contemporary, to which
reference is here made. The Constitution Of
the State has made tie smplest provision for
the application Of the most stringent remedies
through ;hg Legislature. The members ofihe
llis Constitutional Convention were not IN
mindful Of their duties iu that respect. aud
tAey were equally careful to provide that the
legislative, Executive aaj Judicial Depart
metts shall be separate and distinct, SO that
rei,l-- shan exercise the powers properly be-
longing 80 either Of the others, aud that " the
Courts Of tie State shall be open and every
person fox an injury done 10 hin, il his per
SOP, property or reputation shall have remedy
Is DIE course ~ lar and Justice shall be al
min istcTtt without sale, douill, OF delay -
These are the great principles and these alone
upon which ,Le Institution Of a free govern
laent can securely rest. i. viii be On evil day
when any others ere adopted.