The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-08-06
TO THE PEOPLE oF ROCK ISLAND
COUNTY.

COUNTY.
FELLOW CrTIzENs:-The lately published
address of the Bar to the people of this
county sets forth with particularly the
nature, powers, and enlarged jurisdiction
of the County Court, as it is hereafter to
be constituted.
A distinctive feature Of the reorganiza-
ton is an evident intent to afford relief
from the over-erowded business of the
Circuit Court. To secure this end and |
accomplish the purpose for which the |
change was made, it is essentially neces- |
sary, in the opinion of the Bar, that the |
County Judge should possess not only the
legal knowledge requisite to fill the
position, but also, to greater extent than
heretofore, knowledge of the technical
rules of legal practice. Both of these con- |
ditions are considered necessary conse |
quences of the enlarged powers and in
creased jurisdiction which the County
Court will hereafter exercise and possess.
The views of the Bar in these particulars
are no doubt substantially correct, and EN-
anating from such large and respectable
body of legal practitioners are entitled to
more than ordinary consideration and re-
gard. In this connection, however, it may
be observed, that of late years the ten
dency OF courts generally has inclined more
to relaxation than to strict adj
herence to technical rules of
practice; and. furthermore, in the
opinion of many able jurists the sub
stitution of general for special methods of
judicial investigation would be more
equitable and just and more satisfactory to
parties litigant, than the common law
rules of rigid and technical adjudication.
| In this view of the case. the possession OF
formal and technical knowledge, apt and
proper for special pleading, becomes much
less an essential qualification in a Judge.
and is of much less consequence 10
practice. than a sound judgement, legal
habitude of thought, and broad eompre-
hensive knowledge of the general principles
of law.
Notwithstanding the necessity, and the
evident intention of the Legislature of this
State to relieve the burden of the Circuit
Court by giving increased powers and
| jurisdiction to the County Court, the pro-
bate business Of the latter still remains its
most important and distinguishing charac-
teristic. The average of human life is a
little over thirty years; the average of all
estates of the country, in some form or
other, pass through probate during the
same period. This single fact reveals at a
glance the important and immense interests
| Involved in the constitution and admin
| istration of court which so largely deter
mines the settlement of estates, the rights
and interests of heirships, and the validity
of titles to inheritance. In their address
| the Bar adverted to these point with
great strength and cogency. In addition
to the legal knowledge and practical expe-
rience of court practice which they have
mentioned as essentially requisite, it may
be further said, that, if the Judge of this
Court also possesses trained and cultured
experience ia financial affairs and prac-
teal skill in tue examination and settle
ment of varied, extensive, and complicated
accounts, these qualifications - though
properly speaking no part of his legal
attsinments-are nevertheless. quite as
serviceable in the discharge of probate
business, and as likely to be called into
actual and frequent exercise, as any other
qualifications the incumbent may possess.
The address of tie Bar indicates with
clearness and precision the general quail
fications which County Judge should
possess, and its terms are equally clear and
I
erence for any particular individual,
i Their action therefore, as a Bar, leaves
the selection Of candidates in the same
condition it was prior to the issue OF the
address, except, so far as their expression
in regard to qualifications may influence
the people in limiting the range OF their
selection. The qualifications they emu
merate, additional to the necessary lega
learning, are these:-"He should be 6
IMAM of cool temper, firm decision, i'm
partial Judgment, and integrity above
, suspicion. He should not owe his posi-
, "tion to any clique, church, partizan fac
''tioD, or political party. He should b.
chosen by the people, independent o
, leach and every such influence.
Y Though not personally present at any o
- the proceedings of the Bar, or when th'
, address was framed, it will not be imprope
= to say, that had ] been personally presen
and acting, | should have concurred il
their proceedings. 1t would be wholly a
variance with my sense of propriety a
y we'll as my views of the dignity of the posi-
J, ton and the nature of its duties, to seek
!. Judgship through party means or as tn
candidate of political party. The man
. agement of caucuses and conventions
:, either personally or through the agency o
j. others at my request, would, in persona
4 sense, be as distasteful to me as it woult
be contrary to my wishes anu sentiments
[ address my fellow citizens, therefore
u upon this subject, and at this time, for tn
e reason that respectable and infuentif
number of the citizens Of the county hav
recently requested me to become cand
y date without regard to party affiliations
D. | have acceeded to their request, an
- through the agency of this address, woul
respectfully Announce that / am now
n AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR COUNT
JUDGE.
:, In consenting to become a candidate /
B" this manner, and in order that my positio
y nay be fairly and clearly understood, / d.
IF sire to supplement the above announce
d ment with the following remarks.
- In the possible event of future joir
10 convention of my fellow citizens
festly representing the unbiased and III
prejudiced sentiments Of large an
z. respectable portion of the whole people {
the county, irrespective of party, clique
or faction, making choice OF some othe
and more acceptable person as their cand
date. | should willingly acquiesce in tn
3 Judgment of such a convention and will
st draw from the contest. But otherwis
1t than in consequence OF some plan and vi
= mistakable indication of such choic
emanating from the people themselve
II and as citizens movement without regar
N to party, should still feel at liberty to II
x mainland should still continue to be, q
o now, candidate.
. With unfeigned confidence in the mites
'e rity of the people, and in full belief that
W very large majority are DESTROYS of keel