The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-18
ELECTION OF JUDGES.
Communicated

Editors of Dispatch: There appeared in
your issue Of Yesterday COMMUNICATION
from John Booker, Of the Hampton bar, IN
vindication OF Judge f. l.. Montague
against the charges which have been
brought against him by members OF the
bar in his circuit. 1t may or may not be
true that Judge Montague has mingled IN
politics since his election, but this is true !:
that he is so accomplished politician that
when first elected to his present position be
did not even reside in the circuit, and al.
forwards succeeded in gerrymandering his
own county into the distrct-a feat which
we venture to say has never had parallel
in Virginia politics.
Judge Montague was member OF the Le-
giSlature when elected, and did not reside
in the circuit al the time, but declared his
purpose to move into the circuit after he
should be elected. The Constitution re-
ouircd the Judge to live in the circuit. Mr.
Tabb and ey-Judge Lacy were candidates
for the position, and were recommended by
the bar and the people in their respective
sections OF the circuit. Judge Montague
did not move into the circuit, but marked
Williamsburg on his Satchel and came to the
next session of the Legislature, and without
actiue oppoSitiOn. except from the member
from Northumberland. Mr.. Belts, now OF
the Senate. had Middlcsex and Mathews
added TO the circuit, with Gloucester lying
between. Judge Montague has not giUen
satisfaction to the bar OF the circuit proper
in ana locality, and this is well known nor
to the people in any part OF the circuit. L
do not speak for the added counties Of Mid
dIesex and Mathews. not contiguous to the
circuit and in different section Of the State.
No truthful man can deny that Judge
Montague has been guilty of every act
charged in the memorial addressed by the
Hampton bar to the General Assembly.
Facts are given and proof offered, and we
are met by John Booker with general de-
nial. Judge Montague does talk to people
interested about suits in his court both be-
fore and after evidence, hears unsworn
testimony in his room, and eUery ld,cye1
who will speak out &no,es IL to be true. 1t is a
fact that Judge Montague has waged against
lawyers in his circuit who opposed his re-
election cruel and relentless l1dr from the
underground OF his official place.
We ask OF the General Assembly nothing
but fair and impartial Judge, and we do
not think the time has come in the history
OF this old State when the Legislature will
deliberately, after aCdrning and testimony.
put upon us such q cruel wrong as TO Iastcn
on Us Judge so relentless and so unfit for
the high position. =
IL
Mr.. Booker be has made no reference to the
charge OF excessive mileage which was pre-
ferred by the same parties against Judge
Montague nearly twelve months ago, and
which. il untrue. he has had ample time to
disproYe. and which it would appear any
INN conscious OF right and integrity would
demand should be fully and officially invcS-
tigated.
The record shows that Judge Montague
collected OF the State $G34.40 in 1877, when
it was abundant!y proved befol commit
tee OF the Legislature last winter that lac
was entitled under law to draw only
S220.S0-too much by;S4l3.60. Judge Mon
tague had notice Of the charge and OF the
Investigation. The committee recommend
ed that the law be changed and judges
hereafter required to SWEAR to their mile.
aye accounts. See House Journal of 1S7G-'77
Ii he be peace-maker, it is one OF q very
novel character. This is true, and neither
John Booker nor any other Of Judge Mon.
taeucs friends can deny it, that though I
member of the Church, whose teachings are
that we snail forgive our enemies, vet whcu
opposed in his aspirations for Office he
thought himself justified in refusing his
hand and turning his back upon i member
OF his bar who in manly and open way
had simply laid before the Legislature facts
Of which that body ought to be informed
before reeecting him to this high office
Now, I ask can the Legislature, while tht
State is thus groaning under a burden o.
debt, the-settlement Of which is enerossins
all minds, approve and endorse the conduc
OF one who has taken advantage Of sup
posed iega! technicality to deplete her trea
sury aAd continue in this office, to which
should attach not only the greatest purity
but also the greatest impartiality one wh'
refuses 10 The members Of his bar the COLI
courtesy of formal recognition il the.
dare to say "a word against his otticia
course S. W. ARMIsTEAD,
for self and a. S. Segar, William S. How
ard, and,G. M. Peek.