Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-01-03
For the SPECTATOR,
.unty Judge.

:, of the Supervisors at their late
NEE mad right, as citizens, to express
their choice for County Judge though of
doubtful propriety, inasmuch as the Board of
Supervisors, months ago, had unanimously
recommended Major Hanger for that very
responsible position, by reason of his thorough
acquaintance with the varied interests, the
necessities and customs of country life, with
which he has been identified from his youth.
There are times and seasons OF vital i'm
portance in rural economy to successful bust
ness which will be properly appreciated and
respected by one who has grown up in the
midst of them. The Judge, in administering
the affairs of our great county, is monthly,
for weeks together dealing with the country
people, a large majority of whom live more
than six and many twelve miles from the
Court house, making roundtrips of from II
to "a miles, to be Travelled early and late, in
cold weather, under the compulsory process OF
the court, leaving all their business and fami-
lies at whatever inconvenience or sacrifice
Until recently the farmer was forced TO leave
his business and obey the summons on the
jury" which was a very severe trial Of his
obedience, which was only rendered in dread
of heavy penalties inflicted by the strong arm
of the court This fortunate exemption is
sought by some to be destroyed by special
pleading, A Judge reared amid such trials of
patience and urgency, will comprehend the
situation at once, punctually open court, dis
patch the business and permit the people to
return to their homes. There are also county
property rights which must be guarded and
protected, which test the loyalty and vigilance
of the Judge to his people and the State. The
county has wealth of sons, ''to the manor
born" capable to fill the office of Judge, in
addition to Major Hanger, to whom attention
had first been directed-Hon. John n. Hen
dren, VIM. Patrick, Capt Bumgardner and
others. But by some it is sought to determine
the choice by the largest number of names to
petition for some person, unmindful of the
fact that some years ago an immense petition
was gotten up to elect cheeky young man to
the judgeship in requital for party work done
at the precinct elections, which resulted in
setting aside one of the ablest and most
honorable county judges of the State, against
the protests of those who saw the folly of the
proceeding. This injustice to a faithful Off
Ger and the disgrace reflected upon the county
by the imprudence of some of its representa-
tives, might, to some degree, be palliated by
a confession and his recall to honorable ser
vice in the county. 1t is not known whether
Judge Hendren would now accept any po
sition, but history must vindicate his high
official services to the county without fault or
reproach.
1t is the duty of the Legislature to elect the
Judge, and our representatives will be held
responsible at the bar of public opinion for
the choice, and they cannot shelter themselves
behind petitions improvidently signed If,
from the excellent men the county furnishes
our representatives cannot select a good
County Judge they should ''be taken around
the corner and spanked"
RETRIBUTIoN.