The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-05-25
THE SUPREME COURT.
A Correspondent Opposes the Nominal
tiOn of Young Men.

Especial Cor. STATE CHRoNICLE.1
As the time draws near for the selection
of candidates to fill the various positions
Of trust in our State government, it is i'm
portant that the attention of those who
exercise the elective franchise should be
called directly to the high trust confided
in the selection of competent men in every
sense of the term, to fill these important
positions, and especially, in the selection
Judicial Ermine and sit as members of
that highest of tribunals known to the
State-the Supreme Court
1t is the boast of North Carolina that
she has almost, without exception, always
had able and worthy men to fill this high
and might almost say holy trust; such
as she was Justly proud of, for they had
the confidence of the people.
In the selection of these men availability
alone should have but little weight; ability
and suitableness in it's every meaning
should be the chief and indeed only con-
sideratious, for, though man may stand
well before the world, as well as the pro-
fession, for his legal ability, honesty, &C.,
yet there are other requirements which
should have full weight.
remember to have heard it said, soon
after the war, that the time was not far
ahead when our judiciary would fail to
command the respect of the educated
world, and We (of the South meanl would
sink comparatively into insignifcance, be-
cause of the failure of our coming young
men to acquire that high order Of educa-
ton requisite to able them to fill to the
letter the bill required of Supreme Court
Judges The Supreme Court should have
none but highly educated men on its
bench, such rs can command the respect
of legal minds, not only at home, but
abroad.
Some of those who have passed away,
and were indeed ornaments to our bench
have well sustained this reputation, and
their opinions are vet quoted, abroad as
we'll as at home. But let me ask, can one
who is deficient in such literature AS shall
enable him to master a subject in all its
bearings and imports, a subject which shall
require Lot only legal lore, but familiar
ity with writer's both ancient and modern
and with such of the dead languages as
shall give a true insight into terms and
expressions, which can alone be drawn
from them can he, l ask, be entrusted with
the review of such caseS2 and in his con-
clusions command the respect of the legal
world? think not. Hence the great i'm
portance of selecting for this position none
but such as all will readily acknowledge
Again, let me urge the Importance of
bringing forward men mature in years,
rich in legal lore and experience.
In age We look for wisdom; even an i'll
ferior order of wisdom from one ripe in
years and honors, will more readily COM
mand respect. ..
The supreme bench does not look adorn-
ed when we see youthful faces occupying
the places to which we are accustomed to
look for wisdom, beaming even from the
visages of our Chief Justices. Age COM
| mands respect and no young man should
| be foisted into so high position unless
| indeed none other can be found to fill so
| high a trust. This we know is not the
case yet in our noble old State and in the
Democratic party, which indeed commands
all the intelligence, nth and honesty in
the State.
| 'Tis true if We had failed at the last
election to place the candidates of the
Democl attic party on the bench, We should
| now be passing through an ordeal which
trust none of US shall ever have to expert
ence. But Providence ordered otherwise
and all is we'll. If young or incompetent
men are to occupy this position, the court
of last resort, what Iced of having it at
all? AS well stop all cases at our Superior
| Courts.
| IL Is W UO AOpCA ia CHO SOuSCut1OA
about to assemble, wisdom will be domi-
nant and ruling, and at least when they
come to select those who are to preside
over our destinies, calm disinterested
ness will possess the entire body, and such
will be selected as will surely command
| the respect of all. Place such ones in nomi
nation and we may safely trust them ir
the hands of North Cardinals conservative
voters for confirmation. I trust may be
excused for this apparent officiousness, ane
let it be charged to an extreme desire tt
see all things done in decency and in or
der, and for the good of all concerned.
Let there be no exhaustion in any future
judiciary of this State, but select sucf
men as shall be up to every emergency
come unscathed through every ordeal
commanding the respect and esteem of tn
| world. ..... 81 CITIZEN.
....Abner Golding, the largest man il
Surry county, aged 20 years, and weigh