The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-07-09
The omoe Of Attorney-0eneraI
From the Clar!on.l
EpiToR CLARION

EDITOR LAkTON
u i we'll nigh certain that South
Mississippi will he for the most part
united IN presenting To the next
Democratic State Convention the
name Of RrberL II. Thompson. Esq.
Of Brookhaven, Lincoln county, as
its choice for Attorney General
That Mr.. Thompson possesses. in
an eminent degree, the high quail.
ties to justify such union OF senti-
Incnt ia his behalf, is well known to
/ his friends all over oar State, and to
lawyers particularly who have met
/ him at the Supreme Court, and al
Jackson during the sitting of the
Legislature. In the prime of intel
! icctusl manhood (for lie is only
about forty) Mr.. Thompson is rec
ognized by Tie habitues OF our high
est cOurt, as one of the clcarCSt
headed, soundcst and best equipped
lawyers in the State. Both while
in partnership with Judge Chris
man, and since tho latter went upon
the bench. Mr.. Thompson has had q
varied and successful practice at the
bar. His opinion upon question OF
law Of new impression, and in the
higher range of the profession, have
been frequently sought aud always
valued bv his legal brethren. His
unusually broad legal grasp, his
well stored mind, his painst;A inc
| industry, his conservatism of
thought, his just perceptions Of
right, his calm judgement. his high
( principles. his purity OF character =
all peculiarly fit him for the difficult
and csponsihle position Of Attor-
ncy Ger eral. That this position re
quireS high order Of ability and
accurate legal training, no one can
doubt who will consider the duties
of the office prescribed by :hc code.
In the opinion Of the writer, there is
not within the gift OF the State n
more responsible position, or one
where an immature or slipshod law
yer can more largely contribute TO
bad government. The law makes
the Attorney General the legal ad>i,
ser of the Governor, and when re-
quired he must not only give in
writing his legal opinion to him. but
mist advise the Auditor and Teas
urer a. to the law in matters OF pub
lie intcrcst-partiCularly concerning
the revenue and expenses Of the
state. He IL not only made the
counsel tor the State in all cases
whatever in the Supreme Court, but
he must appear in tina. Court Tor any
County, in al civil or crmina! bust
ness in which such county NAV he
iGtercs cd. Added 10 the foregoing
duties, it is required of him hv law
to represent ali State officials as
counsel in Sy suits brought against
them in their official capacity. tria
bic at the seat of government and
must also. when requested, become
the official adviser Of every district
attorney in Mississippi The office,
therefore, is not one which should be
bestowed Ivy the People as poliri-
cal reward upon a mere party work
er, or upon an aspirant however pop
ular he may he in manners, who is
deficient in legal learning. expert
encc, high principles and dignity OF
; character.
Mr.. Thompson, it will be remcm-
hcrcd, was a member of that able
Senate of our State which sat from
1876 to 1880, and helped TO ''ciean
the Augean Stables" Of the carpet
bag regime. And among that ex
ceptiOnallY strong body Of men (thr
like of which perhaps the State will
not again for many years see gather
ed in its Senate Chamber), Mr..
Thompson, in the discussion Of con
stitutional questions, ranked with
the best lawyers there.
We do not doubt that among the
many aspirants for the position now
before the people there a"e other
gentlemen of integrity and ability.
But whatever may be said for or
against their several qualifications
tor the place, of II. II. Thompson.
Esq. it can be said that he will FL
the office named. in all respects, as
few men can. 1t is proper to add,
that while Mr.. Thompson has never
been other than staunch Democrat,
and a hearty and efficient worker for
/ the party both in his own section
and as member Of the State Demo
cratic Executive Committee, he has
made no personal canvass of the
/ State to solicit influence in his be,
half, nor attempted any political
combinations TO secure bis nomina-
ton. He makes no claim to office
at the hands Of his party, and AFRO
gates to himself no merit above his
fellow aspirants. He modestly says
that he desires the position of At
torney-General, believes that he can
! satisfactorily discharge It's duties.
and will be grateful for the support