Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-08-07
COMMUNICATED.
CIRCUIT JUDGE.

tant OIlCer 10 DC eIecteu lDlS lalI. ihis
is matter Of more consequence TO the
masses than to the lawyers. a poor
Judge causes litigation and in the long
run increases the emoluments Of the
profession; if his decisions are unsatis-
factory, cases will be appealed to the
Supreme court,-which is good for the
attorney but bad for the client. If we
make bad selection, we WILDE saddled
with the consequences for eight long
years;-few die and none resign.
The chief and most essential requisite
is, that judge should enjoy the conf
dence of the people; the masses must
have confidence in his impartiali:y; it is
far more important that the PUBLIC
should have firm, mistaken confidence
in his heart than in his head; if the peo-
pie believe that he is trying TO decide
right, if they believe that he is not in
fuelced by fear, favor or affection; if he
is free minded and independent; If they
believe that his judgment is not warped
by hankerlng after personal popuIarI-
ty, then they will have confidence in
him aud viii be satisfied with his decl-
sions. 1t is far more important, Judge
should be free minded and independent,
than that he should be profound law
yer. Any man with clear head and
mind free from bias, will make a good
Judge if he understands the principles
of law. The Bench is the best school
in the world. An old lawyer, whose
reason is distorted by thousand crahks,
never makes successful circuit Judge.
Some men are so constituted by ma
turc, that they are in constant dread OF
giving offence; they are afraid to OK
press an opinion or 10 take stand least
they may make some body mad. If We
put one Of these men on the Bench, he
will he always dodging responsibility
and trying 10 delay his decision. This
will work untold hardship. We want a
man who will decide quick, without
stopping to consider who lie will please
and who he will offend
Again. Some men are, by nature, dis
trusttu Of their own judgment;-they
are always trying 10 find out what 9th
er people think. Such a man on the
Bench, will be bul.-dozed by "ontside
influence" Our main object should be,
to select n selsreliant man, who will
think and act for himself. Let it he re
mcmbered, that aselt-reliantman always
gets all the information he can before
he makes mp his mind; but when he IL
satisfied that lie has received all the as
siStance that is accessible, then he thinks
for himself aud acts on his own judg
mcnt.
In selecting our judge, we must not
be mised by the personal popularity OF
a candidate May Heaven defend the
Bench from men who seek popularity.
As a rule (and we cannot rccollcct a
single cxceplion,) popular men are
timc-scrving politicians, whose actions
are controlled by a desire to avoid Civ
ING offence. Polite men, who agree
with everybody about everything, are
not fiji to be judges. Often times pub
lie sentiment runs in The wrong dlrcc-
ton, in such cases, the so called, popu-
lar man lodges and hangs back, where
as when the people are mislcd and are
moving contrary to their true interest, 1t
is the duty of every citizen who ia quail
flied TO DO so, to call halt and TO rca-
son with the masses as TO what is night.
When public sentiment is divided, your
popular man is always very quiet, bnt
as soon as he discovers the popular side,
he rushcs to the front and takes the
lead. We want n man for Judge who
has opinions of his OVID and who Will
proclaim what he believes to be right,
even although he stands single handed
and alonc;-such a man is not "FopU-
lar, bat he is always trusted and re
spcctcd.
Again. We should pick out man
who has no black spot on his personal
record We want man whose past
lie stands sponsor for his future CON
duct. Ii he has ever fallen victim TO
temptation, he may fall again aud we
cannot afford to take the risk; this Office
has too many Responsibilities, the pros
perity and happiness OF too many de
ienceless women and children are at
stake for us to take any risk. Il is also
an important matter, that we should Sc
cct a man who can control his temper;
a passionate man is carried astray by his
personal feelings and often brings dis.
credit and disgrace upon this most eX-
allied and most sacred position.
The people at large should give this
matter earnest attention; there will be
terrible scramble; relationship, family
influence and other most effective in
hucnce will De eXerted TO fix up small
nominating convention. The only pos
sible way tc secure full and fair eX-
preston OF public opinion, is for each
voting precinct to send NUMEROUS del
egation of its best and most intelligent
citizens to the convention that will nom
mate our Judge. We want nc man for
this Office who will travel on trce-pass
and then draw ten cents a mile in ad-
diton to his salary. Depend upon it,
the railroad finds it apaying investment
to give Judge tree-paSs;-human
nature is the same in the palace and in
the hut.
One thing more. We caution the
people, not TO be deceived and misled
by circus bill advertisements in the
newspapers. 1t is very easy TO publish
that "Mr. Jones is profound lawyer
and that his character is immaculate
Over-zealous friends print these puffs,
Ian, ,rben we come TO in0uire about the