The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-01
The Office of Attorney G eneral.


FprroR CLARION: 1t Is now well n 'gh GER
tain that South Mississippi viii be Tor the
most part. united in presenting 10 the next
Democratic State Convention the name OF
Robert II. Thompson Esq, of Brookhayen,
Lincoln county. as It's choice for Attorney
General. That Mr.. Thompson posse sses, in
an eminent degree, the high qualities to JUS
tifv such union of sentiment in his behalf,
Is we'll known TO his friends all over our
State, and to lawyers particularly who have
met him al the Supreme Court, and az
Jackson during the sitting Of the Legisla-
ture. In the prime of intellectual man
hood for he Is only about forty) Mr..
Thompson Is recognized by the habitues
OF our highest court, a one of the clearest
headed. soundest and best equipped lawyers
in the State Both while in partnership
with Judge Chrisman, and since the latter
went upon the bench, Mr.. Thompson has
had "a. varied and successful practice at the
bar His opinion upon question OF law oil
new impression, and in the higher range
OF the profession, have been frequently
sought and always valued by his legal
brethren. His unusually broad legal
grasp. his we'll stored mind, his painstak-
ing industry, his conservatism of thought,
his lust perceptions of right, his calm judg-
ment. his high principles, his purity OF
character-all peculiarly fit him for the
| difficult and responsible position OF Attor-
ney General That this position requires
/ high order of ability and accurate
/ legal training. no one can doubt who Will
consider the duties of the Office prescribed
/ by the code. In the opinion of the writer,
there is not within the gilt Of the State
! more responsible position, or one where an
/ immature or slipshod lawyer can more
/ largely contribute to bad government. The
! law makes the Attorney-Cieneral the legal
/ adviser of the Governor, and when
/ required he must not only give in writing
/ his legal opinion to him, but must advise
/ the Auditor and Treasurer as 10 the law In
matters OF public interest-partIcularly
concerning the revenue and expenses OF
the State. He is not only made the coun-
/ sci Tor the State in all cases whatever IN the
Supreme Court, but he must appear in that
Court for any County, in all civil or Grim
nal bushes in which such county may be
( interested Added to the foregoing duties
it is required OF him by law to represent
all State off GERS as counsel in any suit;
brought against them in their oftcta
capacity, triable at the seat of government
and must also, when requested, become the
official adviser of every district attorney II
Mississippi. The office, therefore, Is no
one which should be bestowed by the PEG
Pile as a political reward upon a mere
party worker, or upon an asplrant howeYe
popular he may be in manners, who i
deficient in legal learning. experience
high principles and dignity OF character.
Mr.. Thompson, it will be remembered
was a member OF that able Senate Of on
State which sat from 1876 to 1880, ant
helped TO 'clean the Augean Stables o
the carpet-bag regime. And among tina
exceptionally strong body OF men (the lik
: OF which perhaps the State will no
again for many years see gathered in 1t
Senate Chamber), Mr.. Thompson, in tn
discussion OF constitutional questions, rank
ed with the best lawyers there.
! We do not doubt that among the man
aspirants for the position now before tn
! people there are other gentlemen of integ
rity and ability But whatever may b
said for or against their several qualihca
lions for the place, of X. H. Thompson
ESQ, il can be said that he will fill tn
office named, in all respects, as few me
can. II is proper to add, that while MI
Thompson has never been other than
D staunch Democrat, and a hearty and ell
: cent worker for the party both in his ow
r section and as member of the State Dem
Y ocratic Executive Committee, he has mad
4 no personal canvass OF the State to solicl
e influence in his behalf, nor attempted an
T political combinations to secure his nom
o nation. He makes no claim to office q
: the hands of his party, and arrogates
: himself no merit above his fellow asp
< rants. He modestly says that he desire
; the position of Attorney General, believe
e that he can satisfactorily discharge i
duties. and will be grateful for the suppol
e of party friends who deem him worthy
e the nomination.
+ NORTH MISSISSIPPI.