Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-08-05
The Judicial Convention.

The Judicial Convention.
The Democratic Judicial Convention
to nominate Chief and Associate Justices
fer this circuit, assembled in Upper Marl-
boro' on Wednesday. Hon. 3. G. Harris
of ST. Mary's, was elected president, an
John T. Bond, of Calvert, secretary. Mr.
Harris, upon taking the chair, made a
speech explaining his views OF the differ
ence between judicial and political officers
He said that the nomination of a judge
was political action, but that when once
elected he ceased to be politician and
became Judge for the whole people. He
pointed to the bred Scott case, however
as an illustration of how impor' ant it was
for Democrats 10 nominate Democratic
judges, SO that the principles and opinions
of the party may be upheld. He also re-
which ju lges frequently disagree. All
the candidates mentioned for the nomina-
ton here were, he said as good if not bet
ter men than those who have been spoken
OF by Tie FsoPuttio-ns- for the positions
He hoped that harmony and unanimity O
action would prevail"
Delegates entitled to seats were repsrt,
ed as follows:
Calvert.--D John Smith, Samuel B
Wilson and John 7. Bond
Charles-H. A. Turner, F. Marcellus
Cox, w. Mex. Burroughs and I. R Farrsll
Prince George's-Joseph X. Roberts
VIM l. Hill, J. !. Jarboe and ?. A. Bowen
St. Mary's-Hon. Benz G. Harris, VIM
F. Greenwich and J. Frank Smith.
The nomination of Chief JUS ice being
first in order, Mr.. Harris put the name o.
Judge D r. Magruder in nomination
Mr. John t. Bond, of Calvert, wanted to
know whether Judge Magruder ella lined
TO be a citizen of Calvert or of Prince
Georges? Mr.. Harris, he said, had de-
clared that Democrat must be elected at
all even's. The people of Calvert, where
Judge Magruder lived until recently, when
he took up his residence in Prince Geor-
ge's, did not consider him Democrat
The people of Calvert were willing to- do
all they could for Il democra ic candidate.
no matter what county he comes from but
there were some things they can't and
won't stand and this WAS one of them. Mr.
Bond said he and his delegation would do
ali they could for Judge Magruder, if
nominated, but they thought his nomina-
tion would be unwise, for it weuld be
impossible to carry the district without
Calvert's majority, and therefore he APP
pealed 10 the convention not to force
Judge Magruder down their throats.
Dr. John Smith, of Calvert, coroborated
what Mr.. Bond said relative to Judge Ma
gruder's slender chances in Calver', which.
however, was not on account of his per
sonal character or ability.
Mr.. Roberts said he had been instructed
by Judge Magruder to state that the Judge
was not citizen of Prince Georges.
hut claimed residence at Prince Freder-
lex, Calvert county, from which he was
elected associate judge.
- Mr. Bond said Judge Maoruder had
told Mr.. Samuel B. Wilson. of the Calvert
delegation, that he was IA citizen of Prince
Georges. and had changed his place Of
residence for the purpose of bea'ing Chew
for the Chief Judgship. Mr.. Wilson cor
roborated the statement.
Mr. Harris insisted that a vote be taken
on Judge Magruder's nomination, or else
that other nominations be made.
Mr.. Bond then nominated Hon Benz. G
Harris for chief Judge, which created
great deal of laughter and applause. Mr..
Harris said he was obliged for the honor,
but hoped Mr.. Bond would study the CON
stitution more carefully, so that next time
he would know that person aged 70
years was disabled from holding iudg
ship, and he (the spe kerr was nearly 10
years old.
Mr.. Bond then nomina'ed Mr.. Robert
Q. Combs, of st. Mary's, whose name was
withdrawn 10y Mr.. Greenwich, of that
county.
Mr.. Bond then said he would follow
suit and take the privilege to withdraw
the names of Judge Magruder, of Calvert.
Mr. Harris deEied his right to do this.
and moved that the nomination be pro-
ceeded with. Mr. r berts moved to lay
the motion on the table, and then other
motions following rap diy some confusion
and perplexity WIS caused. The unim-
portant mo- ions were fna ly silenced by
Mr. Bond moving that the convention
adjourn until Sept. 1, which result ed in a
tie vote, Prince Georges and St. Mary s
voting together and Calvert and Charles.
A rec ,ss was taken, and when the con-
vention reassembled Mr. Roberts offered
a like resolution. which WIS adopted. and
the convention adjourned until Thursday
September 1.