Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-07-27
JUDGE THOMAS G. GREEN.

tFrom the Greenbrier Independent of July 1871
Editor Greenbrier Independent:
The most important work to be done by
our Convention in Martinsburg on the 28th
inst, is the nomination of candidate for the
place on the Court of Appeals which is to
become vacant by the expiration of Judge
Green's term. The candidate nominated,
will hold the Office for full term of twelve
years, and as it is position much more i'm
pertant in my opinion than that of Governor,
Attorney General, or any other officer to be
nominated, more care and more earnest
thought should be given to. the task. We
will have to determine whether we will re-
tain the services of the distinguished jurist
whose name heads this article who has tho
benefit of some five or six years experience,
and who has met and discharged all of his
duties with perfect fidelity and industry, and
with remarkable ability, or take o new and
inexperienced man who will have great
deal to learn and as much, perhaps, to forget.
Like you. Mr.. Editor, have not been dis
posed to award to our present Appellate Court
unqualified praise. have thought, aud still
think, there is much occasion for criticism IS
TO the nlGnner and methods of their work,
and | am satisfied if your suggestion had
been acted upon and adopted more freely, tho
Court would have been much improved and
its suitors benefited. But while this is SO, I
have mover failed to recognize the remarks able
industry, the untiring diligence, the perfect
integrity, and the great legal astainments of
all the members of that Court, and in all
these qualities so indispensable in Judge I
an sure Judge Green has no superior in this
or any other State. That Judge Green 10
perhaps the most widely and profoundly read
lawyer of our whole bar will scarcely be ques-
toned, and it is this very wealth Of learning
that sometimes leads him to prepare elabo-
rate essays instead of opinions. But if we
supplant him with a new man, very much
fear we will have many other things to fnd
fault with before we are again troubled by
too much legal learning. Judge Brannon,
who has been mentioned in connection with
this Office, has recently in published letter
refused to allow his name to &c before the
Convention. This, as far as I have heard
narrows the selection to Judge Green, the
incumbent, and gentleman named Woods,
from Lewis or Upshur or some county in that
section. About this gentleman very little
seems to be known. From a pretty careful
examination of our Reports no does not seem
to enjoy much of an appellate practice, and
this is rather remarkable if, as he claims, he
is so eminent in his profession as to be we'll
qualified for place on our highest Court
One thing about him however is pretty we'll
nown-the rather uubecoming zeal and en-
ergy with which he has been electioneering
for months past. We heard it estimated tho
other day that in addition to countless per.
soDal interviews, no had written some three
thousand letters soliciting support! Now, I
submit that an fsprunt who has no better
conception of Whist is due to the elevated
Office that he seeks is entirely and essentially
ph tor ha y1o
Editor, of judges Allen, Baldwin, Daniel or
any of our worthless of the olden time. or of
Judge Green himself, so far forgetting them>
selves as to importune friends and strangers
alike for help to a judgeship?
Having now good Court, l sincerely hope
the Convention will have the wisdom to le.
it alone and net make change, which am
sure will be in no respect an improvement.
ATTORNEY.