The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-25
TIE SUPREME COURT.
Sensible Views i'm Relation 10 tue Or
gaGization or the COurf-Judse
Holt asa Candidate.
GREENBHIKR COUNTY,
March u 1876

low
Editors OF the Register:
Ifthe people do not take some active
interest in having the names of compe-
tent persons presented to the
State Convention tohll the Of
gees OF Judges OF the Court of
Appeals, the probability is that these
most important Offices will be traded oil
by the political aspirants to third rate
lawyers. That is, they will be used
merely as supports TO the states Of those
who manipulate the executive offices,
and will receive no direct consideration
in the scramble that Will likely take
place IN the Convention. Because, men
competent to all these offices will not
at the low prices offered, go to the trouble
OF working up nominations for them
selves, and therefore, unless the people
take charge OF the matter. the result will
BE- that mere satellites and tools will get
the nominations. The judiciary. and
especially the Court of Appeals, should
be 10 the hands OF the very best men.
A weak or corrupt Judiciary is not
only disgraceful but dangerous 10 the
State. Let US not degenerate but improve
upon the present and past. Court of APP
peaiS.
Inasmuch as we have, perhaps, unnec-
essarially referred to the present Court
OF Appeals, we wish to put ourself right
by saying that We do not intend to offer
any censurc to the members Of that
Court, but we do intend TO say, that
from some cause it has allowed the dock
ct to increase, and thereby greatly de-
layed the determination Of many i'm
portant causes. We do not pretend that
this delay has been wllull on the part OF
tho Court, but whatever may be the
cause the fSct exists, and the result to the
sutors is ali the same. The laws provide
| Courts for the trial and determination of
suits, and make it the duty of the Courts
to hear and dispose ofthe matters brought
before them according to law and with
| out delay. And whenever the Courts
| fail TO meet the requirements Of the law
whether from the whims and pleasure
or the mental and physical disability of
the Court-the people have a just right
to complain. For Judges ,hsye no right
to have vhms and pleasures,
and whenever, either from mental
or physical disability, them become
incapacitated for the punctusl and etfiol-
cnt discharge Of their duties positive du-
ty requires such to resign the office and
give place TO efficient officers This may
seem harsh, but the laws and the demands
| of the people must be obeyed. They
make no provision or allowance for the
misfertunes and caprice. of their agents
and employees.
is important, then, that we should
make wise selections to fill the offices OF
the Court Of Appeals. We want men
who are both willing and competent to
meet every reasonable demand of the
office, and who will discharge their duties
at all hazards, without reference to their
own convenience and pleasure. This re-
| ouirement will be fully met by placing
upon that court Judge Homer a, Holt.
Judge Holt has been upon the bench for
over three years, and has discharged the
duties of his Office to the entire satlsfac-
ton of both the people and bar of his
circuit HIS promptness and devotion 10
duty are proverbial. He has, perhaps, the
most laborious circuit in the State; yet
he has never omitted the holding OF a
single term in any one OF the eigh:
counties which compose his circuit. He
never delays causes or shrlnks from labor
or responsibility. His industry Is almost
Incompatible. He gives every case be-
| fore him the most thorough examination.
and his decisions are based upon convic-
tions that give them force and sanction.
He is vigorous in mind, honest in morals,
amisble in disposition, in the prime OF
life, and learned in the law. This is no
tulsome praise, but it is the testimony of
all who know Judge Holt either az
man, a lawyer or a Judge All respect
him as a judge and esteem him as man.
With him upon the bench of the Court
of Appeals, suitors can rest assured that
their cases will receive from him patient,
thorough and conscientious consideration.
Ley