The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-04
COMMUNICATION.
The Probate Judgeshlp.

Mr.. EDIToR: AS the time is coming
for holding the Republican county con-
vention to nominate candidates to fill
the offices of the county for the next two
years, ask the privilege of offering q
few suggestions for the consideration
of the voters of this probate district why
the present judge of probate should be
reelected to that office.
The first reason | will offer, and by
far the most weighty one that can be
given, is his experience and ability;
those that have had great deal of bus
mess at the Office say that is the case.
One of the most prominent officials of
the county, constantly having business
to transact with the judge of probate,
says the duties of the office have been
discharged with more than usual ability,
Judgment and fidelity. Another gen
tleman with more experience in settling
estates for the last twenty-five years
than any other man in the district says
the same in regard to his business with
the office; he thinks the duties have been
discharged by the present incumbent
better than at any time during his cx-
perience.
Judge Cook before his death stated
to number of his friends that Col.
Knapp had displayed more than ordi-
nary ability TO grasp and discharge the
duties OF the Office while he as register
lad charge of the Office and acted as
judge during the protractcd illness of
Judge Cook, and that he was confident
that no one he could have selected
would have been likely to have succeed
ed as we'll.
1t is possible Judge Knapp has made
some mistakes, though none have come
to my knowledge those that have been
publicly charged having proved upon
Investigation to have been without
foundation. But have we any assur-
ance that the other gentlemen who are
so diligently seeking the Office will not
make great many and moro serious
ones, while gaining the experience al
ready acquired by Judge Knapp!
While it may not be any evidence of
fitness for the Office of Judge of pro-
bate, it certainly becomes us to remem-
Der and mention Col. Knapp's services
to his country in the last war. He was
present and engaged in thirteen battles,
all those fought by his regiment except
one, when he was detached for othcrdutv
by his superior officers; he was wound.
ed three times and fairly obtained his
present title by brevet from the pre-
sidcnt of the United States for "gallant
and meritorious conduct" at Peters
burg while in command of his regi-
mcnt as its major. Other aspirants for
the Office of judge of probate may be
gentlemen of ability and integrity,
whether they have shown as much zeal
in rushing to the defence of their
country as they have in rushing for the
Offices in the gift of the people we
leave for the people to decide.
Col. Knapp has always taken q decid-
ed and unequivocal ground on the side
of right, morality and justice. To do this
often requires quite as much courage as
is required to face an enemy with arms
on the field of battle, for it often brings
down the yindictive hate and enmity of
those who are interfered with in their
unlawful and sinister designs against
the peace aud purity of society, and
often causes such persons to endeavor
by every means in their power to in
jure and defame those that have the
courage to interfere with them in their
purposes; and they usually find that
those who have some personal motive
or purpose to serve will assist them in
defeating the object of their hate. The
slanderous stories SO industriously cir
culated of late to injnre Judge Knapp
| believe have their origin entirely in
these causes, and are not entitled to any
credence whatever. If rumors are to be
credited, those that are engaged in this
business have not lived such immacu-
late lives as to entitle them to the right
to cast the first stone at those whom
they think would under like opportuni-
ties and temptations do about as they
would themselves; certainly | do not
believe they are liable to a very early
demise on account of their excessive
goodness or purity of character.
VOTER.