The record-union., 1892-08-25
THE RETIREMENT OF JUDGE
VAN FLEET.

uO1R0 W. W ' dl I lGGI u Lu6 cuilO11OI
Court of this county has decided to re-
tire from the bench and seek due reward
for his capacity III the practice of bis pro-
fession at the San Francisco bar. It is
Enthusiastically true that the compensation
provided for our Judges is inadequate 1t
does not constitute an inducement for
men of ability to remain upon the Supe-
rior bench. An ambitious man of fine
capacity may be tempted by the honorable
distinction to accept Judgeship, but he
does so invariably at personal sacrifice of
means. That is to say, such men as we
ought to have upon the Superior bench,
in practice at the bar with no greater
strain upon their ability than the bench
exacts, can make their incomes three or
four times as large as the law permits a
Judge to receive for his services.
This Is poor economy upon the part of
the people. They ought to invite the best
talent to enter their service; they should
have upon the bench very high legal
ability and judicial capacity. Sacramento
County in this regard has been very fort
innate, filling her bench for many years
with able men. The court as now con-
stituted, for instance, is one of such capac-
ity that with its members at the bar they
could earn exceedingly large incomes
Judge Catlin, man of much greater age
than Judge Van Fleet, took the bench
knowing the fact that he was making
personal sacrifice, but probably prefer
ing to leave active duty at the bar to
younger men. Judge Van Fleet, one of
the youngest Judges in the State retires
simply because he greatly betters his
condition, duty every man owes to him
self.
The county and the State thus loses
from the bench a jurist of singularly fine
record. Few young men attain to such
distinction on the bench as he has gained.
He has served eight years as Superior
Judge and all the time with that dignity,
strict adhesion to duty, infexibility of
purpose, courage and manliness, and
such profound regard for pure justice, as
to win the admiration and applause of
the whole community. Indeed, SO inn
pressed have the people been with his
fitness for the place, his legal knowledge.
his mistaken honesty and his bravery
that two years ago, though he is warm
political partisan, he was unanimously
reelected, all political parties uniting
upon him.
1t is one OF the most splendid triumphs
of self-government when in the midst of
hot campaign, involving National and
State politics, all party organizations
agree that no man shall be put up to op-
pose the election of an approved Official.
1t is testimony to the fact that the people
are not unmindful OF the high plane the
Judiciary occupies, nor forgetful of faith
ful service and eminent ability. Few
are the men, indeed, who have received
so significant compliment as has been
rendered by the people to Judge Van
Fleet.
The community loses him with deep
regret. He was not only an upright
Judge and man, but public-spirited
citizen here, concerned in all leading
affairs of local interest. possessed of opin-
ions as citizen that he never feared TO
express, and was invariably found on
the side of cleanliness, fair play and pro-
gress. The people of Sacramento COM
mend him to his new residence and will
observe with pride the position he is
sure to assume in the larger community
of which he is about to become member.
1t will find him to be gentleman in
every sense Of the word, refined, public
spirited, just and talented.
1t viii be observed in the reading of his
resignation, which appears in another
column, that Judge Van Fleet makes his
resignation take effect on the first Mon
day in November next. By rendering it
now with that statement he gives the
people ample time to cast about for a sue
cessor worthy to fill his place, since the
choice can now be made at the ballot-box
in November. 1t was thoughtful on his
part to tender the resignation at this
time, having resolved upon it, and not