The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-19
Vance County Court.


Regular Spring term of Vance county
Superior Court commenced Monday,
Hon. Spier Whitaker, Judge presid-
ing. The grand jury was drawn and
Mr.. E. G.. Davis, was elected foreman.
The Judges charge was clear and able,
consuming about As minutes in its de-
livery. Judge Whitaker started out
by saying he would not undertake to
specify the various crimes nor to cite
the law bearing upon the same, as 1t
would consume too much time that he
was talking to intelligent men and they
knew what was breach of the law re-
curing cognizance of them as well as
he could tell them. "At the risk OF
being severely criticized" said the
Judge, "but with a sincere desire to
faithfully discharge my duties, 1 shall
violate an old established custom. In
old times there were no railroads, no
telegraph lines, and no newspapers,
and even if there were, but few people
in those days could read" He then
spoke of the present modes of travel,
and said in every county there is to be
found an intelligen.ly conducted news
paper, the people read and they know
the laws now by the time they are put
upon the statute books. He spoke OF
the cost of running courts and the value
of time. It was the duty of all court
officials and others to be expeditions in
the discharge of their duties, not for
getting to be thorough at the same time.
All jurors, witnesses and suitors must
be promptly in their places, ready to
answer when called. There would be
no crying for them at the court house
door. Their business was to be inside.
This was the departure the Judge re-
ferred to when he said he would violate
an old time custom.) Business is dis
posed of in a business-like way, but
there is nothing of the rush or hurry
about Judge Whitaker. He is careful
painstaking, thorough. We have been
much impressed with his methods on
the Bench. Cool, clear-headed and
conservative, quick to see point ane
grasp its full meaning, he is master o
the situation at all times. His charges
to the jury are singularly brief ano
pointed, his renewal of the testimony
clear and concise and the law touching
the case at issue is presented in man
ner plain and simple yet strong ant
complete. But above anything else
we have been impressed by judge
Whitaker's. humane disposition. Hold
ing the scales of justice with an ever
hand, with proper regard for the sterl
mandates of the law, he is at the sam'
time guided by the impulses of chiv
alrous nature and generous heart, ant
does not seek to make record by tn
severity of his sentences.
John E. Woodland, Esq, is a vigor
Gus and active prosecutor for the State
and has made favorable impression
upon our people, lawyers, jurors an
others. This is Mr.. Woodard's frs
court in Vance county since he wa
elected Solicitor last fall. He draw
his bills carefully and prepares hi
cases well, and in his arguments befor
jury is logical and convincing. Famil
lar with the law, quick-witted, adroi
and astute, Mr.. Woodland makes al
able, vigorous prosecutor, doing fu
Justice to the State without allowin
his zeal to partake Of anything like tn
spirit of persecution. Mr.. Woodar
is an intellectual and accomplished
gentleman and has made many friend
among our people, outside the cour
house as well as in it.