Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-11
SMILEY & WASGATT
HAVE ON HAND A FINES 8S
TIN. CLASS AND CRoCkERY WARE
Also other Goods in lne. Any needing
Jig Saws and Designs for Brackets, Etc.
Will ind hemher They running
FIVE CENT COUNTER


potent influence in favor oil tue poSltlou NAV
seen fit to take in this matter. My nrst ana
strongest reason is, that in the establishment
of A Superior Court in Portland for Cumber-
land comfy. and another in Augusta for Ken
nebec county, the duties of the seven Judges
are now greatly lessened. In fact. much
more than the relief afforded by the eighth
iudre. This fact alone settles in my NINA
the propriety aud justice of retaining so much
of the act of 1879, as reduces the number OF
Justices of the Supreme Court to seven
Nv second reason is, we thus save the sal
ary of the eighth judge, to help pay the ex.
pense of the Superior Courts in Cumberland
and Kennebec. which now cost So, 700, the
salary in Cumberland being $4,000 and in
Kennebec $1,000. And right here l beg
leave to saw, that. in my humble opinion,
these salaries are out of all proportion to the
salaries of the Judges Of the Supreme Court,
and vet. do not say. they are too much. But
l do saw, that So, 900 for the labor. services
and expenses of Judge of the Sdpreme Court
is small in comparison.
In the one case, they hold court in but one
stated place-always at home-no circuit du
ties and no travelling expenses to pay, ana
they have nothing to do 18th decisions and
law reports On the contrary, the Judges
of the Supreme Court are obliged to hold
courts in every county in the State, averag-
ing and terms for each and necessitating
an absence from home on expense fully one
fourth if not one-third of each year.
In addition the labor and time each must
necessarily spend in study and the careful
examination of cases. made law, in the differ
ent counties, certainly not less than to 800
cases, and after completing such investlga-
ton, full written reports and rescripts OF
each are by law required. And most of the
members of this House may not be aware OF
the immense labor required in the prepara-
ton of these decisions and the grave and
deep responsibility these Judges assume.
shall vote for the restoration of the salary
to $1,000, because it is not only reasonable
and Just. but because no suitable person,
qualified by experience in our courts and in
legal knowledge, and possessed of the char
acter member of the Judiciary of Maine or
any other State should possess. ought to be
asked to serve for less, or can afford to ac-
cept the position and perform the Important
and responsible duties for a less sum.
Some regard should be had for the uphold
ing of the dignity of the Judiciary and reason
able allowance must be made for this
To maintain proper dignity, the surround
ings of the Judge must be agreeable and he
must live in corresponding good style and yet
not be extravagant. He must dress himself
and family, if he has one, decently, and so as
not to excite unfavorabIe comment. And
when on his circuit, he must live respectfully
and not get his grub at any cheap, common
eating house. And when at home he must
eat and drink like other people.
From the very fact of holding the Office of
Judge, he must be charitable and contrib
ute generously to all worthy objects. This is
expected, if not demanded. Then there is
the parson, as we'll as the butcher and baker
to be paid. And / never yet knew a Judge,
or any body else, who could contrive to es-
cape from the tax collector, until beneath the
sod, and it is quite expensive doing up such
business in modern, respectable shape.
Another large item of expense is the pur-
chase of law books. and these are absolutely
indispensable. He must have all the Reports
of all the States and of the United States
Supreme Court, and all the Digests He
must also have the English Common Law
Reports, at least, so that the item of books
alone must exceed 500 per year
There are countless other needful items of
expense such as all must know more or less
about, and that in the aggregate swell to a
large sum. Then, our Judges ought to be
able to lay aside something for a rainy day
and sickness and old age must be provided for
If, by act of the Legislature, you take away
the salary, in all fairness you ought to pass
some sort of an act or resolve to prevent a
Judge, his wife and children from ever being
sick, and will suggest that, while doing so,
you should include also the members of the
present Legislature.
One objection. have heard raised to the
increase of the salary is, that it is a position
of honor! Well, well, grant this and the
honor is not to be despised But show me
the man that can live on that article alone
and dispense with his daily food! Will the
merchant, the grocer, the tailor or the hum
BILE supplicant for charity take pay in that
sort of coin: Another objection-some saw
there are plenty of good men to be found.
who will be glad to take the office at $1,000
or less.
This is not true No good lawyer, no suit
able person, qualified for the position can af
ford to take it for less than $1,000 And it
is grave mistake to think every good LAWYER
will make good judge. To make good
Judge requires peculiar qualifications. A
Judge should be calm, collected, even tenn
pered-not nervous, or excitable or prone
to take sides. He must be impartial and able
to hold the scales of justice cvSp
Feeling and believing, as 1 sincerely do
that 1t is simple act of justice and right and
duty to restore the salary, as it was prior 10
i".o, ah also ueslrous to have nv politi-
cal friends and associates act in concert with
me IN matter of so much Importance. And
here make special appeal to all democrats
and national greenbackers to place them.
selves right on this question.
feel to commend your view of r;c;d
economy, and it is our duty to keep down
all unnecessary expenses and I trust this
principle will be adhered to.
But it is not economy, it is not right or
justice to reduce the compensation of the
Justices of our Supreme Court to starvation
prices; and especially is it unreasonable and
unjust to cut down the salary of one Judge
and allow him $780, and allow his sly asso-
crates $1,000 for doing the same service This
IS not to be thought Of Such gross ;n;ms.
nee cannot be allowed. Give them liberal
'alary SO that they can afford to do eou;,x
and justice and administer the law in the in.
!erest OF the people and for the people.
:, l make yet another appeal 1t is this. from
me very fact of the unfavorable onin;ons af
me court, recently promulgated, SO at yar;.
'nce with our views and expectations.
md the other fact, that we have
'een and are compelled to Weld
our individual opinions and indo.
nent and submit with all the weakness ond
srace' we can command and because + il tha |
D. I'll