Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-02-16
The Opening Of Court.

Common Pleas Court began on Tues
day, the usual court officers and the
Judge-elect st. Clair Kelly being pres
ent, besides large number of at
torneys from different sections of the
county. Promptly at nine o'clock Judge
Kelly with commendable promptness
occupied the bench, and directed the
Sheriff to open court, which was re.
sponded to by the Sheriff proclaiming
the accustomed Hear yel hear yei this
Honorable Court is now in session pur
suant to law" after which Judge Kelly
addressed the members of the Bar in the
following words:
GENTLEMEN--Before commencing the
call of the cases, a few Introductory
words may be in place. There are seme
things that ought to be said TO the mem
berS of the Bar. So far as | know there
is no feeling but of personal friendship
betw cen any of you and myself
I certainly wish all of you. without a
single exception, success in his personal
affairs and in his PROFESSIONALISM sue
cess as you yourselves most desire-a
success deservedly and worthily earned
1 really believe this feeling is mutual
a place, the difficulties of which | know,
because know also the great assistance
you have it in your power to give. Law
yers are officers of the court-they and
the jury, sheriff, clerk and deputies are
all parts of one machine, called Court,
the regular and orderly movement of
which depends greatly upon the law
yers. Unless these parts move together
in the work assigned them, there will be a
failure to accomplish the object intend
ed. During the Two or three generations
past and gone the bar Of this county WAS
celebrated. The county itself has con.
tinued to grow, and is now, in its re-
sources, industries and the intelligence
of its people in the front rank. The
Bar will no doubt maintain it's old rep
utation. Judge Okey told us at the
close of last term that it does maintain
it; aud he is better judge as to this
as well as other matters, than am.
Some of you have already acquired
distinction in your profession and in the
public affairs of the State and nation
Others of you by your attainments and
talents are fitted to take the place OF
those who are gone. You all know the
great influence of the legal profession
in all departments of public affairs. In
their own especial provincs-the judici.
arY is what they make it. Upon the le.
gal profession of the State depends the
estimation and respect in which Law
and its administration is held. To any
one occupying this or q similar place
the assistance of the members of the bal
is indispensable. shall be satisfied if
with your assistance, l shall be able, tt
some extent, to discharge the duties Of
the place as well and faithfully as my
predecessor.
Upon the conclusion of his remarks
which were well received, the Judg,
proceeded at once to the call of tn,
docket, and disposed of preliminary
questions which came before him, in
stanter, much TO the qualification o
members of the Bar, who believe tha
the prompt dispatch of business is no
only to the best interest of litigants, bu
of attorneys as well. The new Judg
has received many words of commenda
ton for the business-hke manner witt
which he begins his term. 1t looks a
though he intended to reduce the ex
penses of our courts by shortening tn
terms and the expenses of litigants, &c
by making more certain the hearing O
cases when once upon the docket fo
trial. When once it is understood tina
excuses for not being ready and motion
simply for delay and dilly-dallying wi
not be allowed, attorneys will be in al
tendance at the proper hour, ready [
perform their duties, and the business
the court will proceed AZ IL shonl
The advent of Judge Kelly gives rool
to hope that there will be step forwaI
in the conduct Of the courts of this SUI
division, especially in the. direction il
dicated.