The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-08-26

claimed that as between two Republicans
he had the right to take his choice, and
supported Gov: Chamberlain with con-
siderable warmth, so that in December
1874 he was the administration candidate
for Judge of the First Circuit, to fill the
vacancy arising from the death of Judge
Graham. Judge Reed was opposed in
this election by the notorious negro,
Whipper, but as he received the solid
Democratic vote and such Republican
votes as Gov. Chamberlain could infu.
ence he was successful, much to the sat-
isfaction of the people of the whole
State, and particularly Of the First Cir.
cult.
At the close of the first term of the
Court for Charleston County over which
Judge Reed presided, the members of
the Charleston Bar, through Hon. NJ. P.
O'Connor as their spokesman, presented
to him paper containing testimonial,
endorsed with almost perfect unanimity,
expressive of their appreciation of his
judicial learning and conduct during a
protracted and arduous term, and of the
promptness, impartiality and ability with
which he had discharged the judicial
functions.
To this testimonial Judge Reed made
the following response, viz:
DIR. OConnor and Gentlemen Of the Bar:
have heard with much emotion your re-
marks, and the paper which you have just
read and handed TO me.
The award of well done, good and faith
fui servant, is ever keenly appreciated BY
one who, conscious of the responsibility Of
his trust, is animated by love of and 2.
desire to promote justice. This testimonial
value most highly, and forever cherish it.
It emanates from the members of q digni
fed and influential body and carries with
it the best consolation to an honest man,
the sanction and appreciation of its minis
tiers in the temple, to the priest ut The altar
of temporal justice.
IF there should be any one who would
now, or in the future, doubt the correctness
of my rulings, let him not impeach the sim
cerity of my motives and intentions, for I
protest here, as do before the bar Of eternal
Justice, that in all that have done my sole
aim has been to advance the correctness and
promote the veal Of the citizen.
have come here from the mountains of
this State, comparatively stranger among
you, occupying novel and imposing posi-
tion, and the solemn duties which have de-
volved upon my mission have endeavored
to discharge with efficient application, and
to the best of my judgment and ability to
uphold with an even and impartial hand
the scales Of human justice. He who sees
the secrets of all hearts will judge me, as I
hope to be judged in that great day, of hav-
pure and freed from oil tramme|s whatso:
ever. The kind opinion Of me which you,
gentlemen, have been pleased to express of
me at the close of my first term I hope to
preserve while I shall continue in my
office, and my highest purpose shall be that
worthiest of the highest ambition Of man.
to do right, to seek justice, and thereby con-
tribute to the prosperity and happiness Of
my fellow-men.
In the winter of 1866 the Legisla-
ture again went into an election for
Judge of the First Circuit, and. Whipper
was elected, but the Supreme Court
decided that the judicial tenure was
for four years, and consequently the
last election was void, so that Judge
Reed remained upon the Bench until
1877, when the Supreme Court decided
in the case against Judge Shaw that all
of the Judges had been improperly elect
ed, upon which Judge Reed resigned his
|judgeship and returned to the practice of
law in Anderson. As Judge he was
upright and displayed more than ordi'
nary ability, the only criticism ever made
upon him being that he did not entirely
divest himself of the advocate while
upon the Bench, in which he was not
dissimilar to perhaps nine out of every
ten lawyers who go upon the Bench.
His administration of the law was i'm
partial and fair, SO that he did great
deal for his Circuit. 1t was under his
appointment of Col. Miles to assist the
Grand Jury of Charleston County that
many of Bowen's rascalities were re-
vealed and checked, and it was his firm
ness and integrity which did SO much to
save Charleston from the payment Of
corrupt debts. Upon this subject, under
the head of "Judge Reeds Good Work" ,"
the News and Courier said:
In congratulating each other upon the
reductions made by the Special Referee in
the amounts claimed to be due by Charles
ton County to different persons the citizens
will not forget that judgments in these cases
had already been obtained, and that it is
the action Of Judge Reed, in setting aside
the judgments and placing the claims in the
hands Of the Referee, which saves Charles.
ton so many thousand dollars.
In addition to these Judge Reed held
many other posts of honor. He was re-
peatedly the Intendant of the town of
Anderson, and was member of the
famous secession convention, where he
advocated the right Of the State to with
draw from the Union. He was likewise,
almost invariably, a delegate to the
County and State Conventions of his
political party. From the time he set
tied in Anderson to his death the town
never had more Jealous aud indefati-
gable laborer for its welfare.
As an evidence of the high esteem in
which he was held by his fellow.c citizens