The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-19

iunesdDr with the Senate, pr0ceeued 70 the
election OF circuit judges.
Seventh Circuit: Mr.. HESEY nominated m
Judge Beverly RI. Wexford Tor. reelecCio
Seeonding speeches wcre maae Dy. acssrs.-
ANDERSON, WILLIAM TAYLOR. ano F,'I : !, KEN
Judge Wexford received the unanimous llet
M Eio nth circuit Mr.J. 81. ROBINSON nom-
mated for Judge OF this circuit Mr. q; w.
Lacy. member of the House from New
Kent county, and concluded by recalling
the charges against Judge Montague, signed
hr four members of the Hampton bar.
The following were the main points OF
objection In the :. ebargesN addressed to
the General Assembly and read by. Mr.
ROBINSON :eas an .9tises,tf 3.'t.t az
u1st. Because his education, training, and
habits OF life have led him into the field OF
political thought, study, and experience
rather than into the forum Of judicial lore
e."9d. His delay in deciding plain ques-
lions of law and fact. =. -
"3d. His want of dignity and decorum
upon the bench, two instances OF WHICH
now occur to US: &c.G ~,
l.. 4. On, one occasion during an alteration
between two members OF his bar, during
the session Of his court, he invited tnem 10
go outside the courthouse and tight IL out.
subsequently, on asimilar occasion, ne suS-
1 gested to two other attorneys that they
! wished to fight, go to the 'sano HIS NJ
Old Point, and stand their chances Defore
the grand jury for murder.
:, aSuch conduct we conceive to be SUD-
yersiye of that respect and reverence which
is due to court OF Justice. T.aG
T. 4th No man knows when his case Is
concluded before him. He frequently talks
to others, and allows others to talk 10 him,
about cases pending in: his court, and ex-
presses his opinion upon matters OF law
and fact which he knows he must be called
upon to decide. 5
!. t"He, has been known to state plainly
what his decision in an important case
would be before the case was argued before
him, and in one instance at least, which we
now recall, he heard the statements Of an
interested party and witness after evidence
and argument had closed, and while he held
the papers for decision, and upon hearing
the statement OF the party remarked: Is
that SOP Well, certainly will give you a
Judgment ,-.i. ..s
9Th. He has favorite theory by which he
decides cases upon his own conception OF
Justice rather than by well settled prlncl-
pies of law. For instance, in O chancery
cause in which an injunction had been
awarded. but had been subsequently wholly
dissolved IN uGcation,I a motion was made
at the next regular term OF the court to re-
instate the same. This motion was denied,
and an order was directed to be entered
dismissing the bill and directing the cause
to he removed from the docket, but. the
Judge refused to give the defendant hls
costs because. as he expressed IT, : IL would
be q great hardship upon the plaintiff
| GSee chapter 175, section IA, Code CT VIZ
giuia.l .,'''. . ..
every respectfully,
| $780,; WILLIAM S. HOWARD, -.
| ....,- "ARTHUR S. SEGAR,
| 81. as. w. ARMIsTEAp, .f....
..s &C. NJ. PEEK, =.
49,. "of the Hampton bar"
Mr.. FINNEY, who was seated beside Mr..
ROBINSON when the charges had been read,
said L: deny the whole accusation, and call
for proof. daughter and applause.]
Mr.. BoHANAN, Of Matthews, nominated
Judge Montague.
In reference to the charges of the Hamp-
ton gentlemen, he said that they the
charecs) had been in Richmond for three or
four weeks. but they. were heard for the
first time by the friends OF Judge Monta-
cue this morning. He denied them in all
substantial particulars, and gave history
Of the formation OF the circuit and the cleo
ton Of Mir. Montague to the iudgeshiD
thereon, from which it appeared that Judge
Montague did not " carpet-baS" into the
circuit, but was urgently invited to become
| candidate by many Of the most prominent
gentlemen Of the Peninsula. AS TO the
gerrymander" of the circuit so as to in
clude Mathews and MiddleseN. the latterthe
county of Judge Montague. Mr.. BoHANAN
said that ii anyone he, not Judge Monta-
| que, was the criminal. Mr.. B0HASAN read
q memorial from seven members or tue
Hampton bar praying for the reelection OF
Judge Montague. Mr.. BoHANAN read let
ters or gave statements from Surry, York,
Charles City, Mathews, bIiddlesex, and
other counties asking that Judge Montague
be reelected, and saying that he had given
almost universal satisfaction rs judge.
A charge that Judge Montague had
drawn more than was justly due him for
mileage, Mr.. BoHANAN answered by figures
from the Auditors Office, showing that
Judge Montague had gotten no more than
he was entitled to under the law, and no
more. considering distances, &C., than his
predecessors.
Dir. POPHAM urged the nomination OF 3lr.
Lacy, but said that he believed Judge Mon
tague had done nothing dishonest OF dis
honorable.
Mr.. FAUNrLERoY, addressing the Speaker,
said feel most scnsbly the responsibility
OF the duty we are now discharglng
to the Commonwealth Of Vfrsinia-the
selection OF her judges, to whom, Tor
the next eight years, will be committed
the lives, liberties, and property OF all her
people. 1t is indeed, sir, great office; for
though its pay is most paltry, yet the jatdi-
cial ermine Of Virginia, worthiy worn in
the fear of God, and in the utter fearless
ness of man, is earth's highest station, Sc.
cond only in sacredness to the ministry OF
the gospel. In the fullest appreciation OF
this great duty esteem it the most pleas
ing privilege OF my life to second the NOM
nation and urge the reelection OF Judge
Montague to the Eighth judicial circ1llt-an
office which he has filled for some years with
honor to himself and to the satisfaction OF
the vast aiority of the bar and people OF
the circuit, as he did for four years preside
with dignity and ability over the Senate OF
Virginia. Nature has endowed him with
fine head and a good heart. He Is candid,
courageous, and constant; he Is just, gen.
tie, and kind; and you may search Flr.
ginia through all her borders and you Will
never, never find truer man or a more