Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-03-24

Society Hall Saturday afternoon to ten
der Mr.. O'Brien j. Atkinson formal
notice of his nomination for circuit
Judge. This was made necessary by
Mr.. Atkinson's absence in Florida
when the convention met.
A motion to appoint committee to
wait upon Mr.. Atkinson and notify
him that his appearance was wanted at
Society Hall was adopted.
The chairman named Charles Well
man, Palmer |. Carson and DIR. Nor
thup as such committee.
While waiting for Mr.. Atkinson, G.
j. Mccormick, was called upon and
responded Mr.. Mccormick said that
his business had taken him in every
township within the past few weeks,
and everywhere he witnessed splen-
did sentiment for Mr.. Atkinson. 1t
did him good to hear words of praise
for Mr.. Atkinson from men of all
parties-men who want him elected on
account OF his pre-eminent fitness for
the place.
Mr.. Atkinson was greeted with en-
thusiasm. Mr.. Bailey explained to
him the purpose of the gathering and
formally announced the determination
of the convention.
Mr.. Atkinson then spoke as follows;
Mr.. Chairman and fellow citizens:
When called to this room expected
to receive a small committee appointed
to convey official information of my
nomination as circuit Judge, but | am
vastly pleased and surprised to find so
large gathering of the representative
men of the city, and to have your chair
man on their behalf convey the assur-
ances of their hearty and generous sup
port.
The Democratic party in this circuit
is in large majority. It's nominee has
right to feel that his election is rea-
sonably certain, consequently the hon
or which you tender me is enhanced
by reasonable certainty of its ratiti-
cation by the people upon election
day.
| also feel that this nomination is the
fruit Of strong desire on your part
and upon the part of the Democracy of
this county to confer an honor upon
me at time when | was assent from
the state, and had given no intimation
that such position was desired.
All that the judicial convention
could do, it has done in my absence;
done cleanly and done well. And /
would be unpatriotic indeed if | did
not cheerfully accept the responsibility
which is imposed.
Under our constitution the circuit
court enjoys the largest jurisdiction of
any judicial tribunal in the state. The
Judge who presides in that court must
try all class of cases; civil cases involv-
ing debts and damage; criminal cases
of all shades and characters, and be-
sides that he must perform the duties
of chancellor under the English sys-
tenn. To faithfully perform such
duties the incumbent must think clear
| ". He must work earnestly and act
wisely. He must be patient and at the
same time he must be prompt. He
ought to possess such a combination of
courtesy and reason as will excite re-
spect for his rulings, and make his
| Judgments acceptable to all.
The machinery Of the circuit court
is so constituted that it costs the tax
payers about $500 for each working
day when all its appliances are present.
Litigants are entitled to all the time
that is necessary for discovering every
fact and every legal principle appli-
cable to the case. The circuit Judge
should be man capable of expressing
himself with clearness. He should be
reasonably learned in the law, and he
should be entirely impartial. This is
an exalted ideal that should be aimed
at and every man must feel how far
above him these requirements must be.
certainly have that feeling, and if
elected 1 can only promise to give
such measure of performance as my
capacity affords.
thank you gentlemen for so kindly
assembling here to-day.
WHAT THEY THINK.
The following opinions were gather.
ed on Mr.. Atkinson's candidature.
G. X. Dodge: "Mr. Atkinson has
grown up here, is first-class lawyer
and citizen, and we must elect him
, judge and will do it, too"
g. A. Bailey: al favor the election
of O'Brien j. Atkinson because l be-
lleve him the best equipped lawyer in
! this section of the state and fully ap.
preciate the necessity of ability upon
, the bench, more especially since see.
ing the number OF cases appealed to
the supreme court. They are asking
| for the appointment of additional
supreme judges on account of the
, work carried up. There will be- very
little go up from this circuit with
Atkinson for Judge"
Guy Kimball: "There mo question
! but Mr.. Atkinson is the ablest lawyer
we have got and the peer of any man
in the state. l think it the duty OF
every good citizen to elect the best
. possible man to the BENCH
DR.. Northup: II am for Mr.. Atkin.
son all the time, first and last. lie
will make an excellent judge"
VIM. Johnston: al am most sincere
ly and heartily in earnest for Mr.. At
kinson, and think all citizens should
pull for him. He will make good
judge and will do all / can 10 elect
him."
81 p. i. Carson; 1--WE could not have
found better candidate for judge"
81 VIM. Springer; mot for many year
has there been such enthusiasm for .
n candidate as Is manifest for MI. Akin
0 son-all the boys have their coats of
Q and are working for him."
Chas. Wellman: "Mr.. Atkinson
> our ablest lawyer and the equal Of any
) In the state. He will honor the bcncf