The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-10-15

the constitutional amendment affords any
why 1 should resign. the same reason ap.
them is ten, the other twenty years my |
junior, and il is reasonable to suppose tnat
both can hold out better and longer against
the wear and tear OF OvSrwork than can:
If l remained with them and did my fuii |
part, | could not hope to rival them IN |
endurance. L should have To- drop out soon. |
and l might as well do IL now. Besides. |
they work Easter than 1 do or can. and l |
sincerely believe their onerous task would |
be somewhat lightened if they could have, |
IN my stead. some one more expeditions |
than IL am. in deciding cases. Being a
slow and cautious judge. unless L have am
PIE time for research and study, can de-
eide nothing difficult with any absolute as
Surance That my conclusions are correct.
L am quite too slow 10 cooperate with them
on equal terms In the exercise of this most
important judicial function. they can well
spare me for IA less timid and hezitating
mind, especially il their new colleague, as
learning.
Il frankly confess that | withdraw from
the court with much reluctance. At tnls
period OF my life judicial work is that for
which am best fitted. and | would rather
do IL Tor nothing than be idle ON tuli pay.
! have no wish to retire from active lie OF
to shun moderate labor.
My health is good. and both by mentaI
constitution and long habit; occupation IS
essential to my happiness. No feellng lhat
] am supsrannuated troubles or Expresses
me. Gladly would | serve out the four re-
naming years of the term for which ! was
last elected if l could do with justice TO
FINALLY, TO those. II any, who may ne
disposed TO crticise my present conduct au-
versely. | would urge this cohsldera .i
not, indeed. requiring, but as indlcatms;
my retirement forever from pubic olhce. .
am upwards OF siNty-seven years OF age anu
have had more than my due share OF ohlclai
opportunity and eInolument. having been an
Office holder under the state IN sundry po-
sitons for a third part of my whole Iie;
Surely l ought to he satisfied WIN What
the state has done for me. and if nave
been faithful and efficient the state ought
to be satisfied with what | nave none 40. io
it. IL. on the other hanG, nave ishe 80
either in fidelity or efficiency. IL ought 10
part with me now with 40 regret save that
my exit was SO long delayed.
Il beg to add. in conclusion. that IN pr
vate life | shall not the less cherish sent,
ments of grateful affection toWarhs an
those the living and the dead. by whose IA
vor and confidence have been trusted pro-
NOTED AMI hono~ed.
u desire this rsiEraticn 20 take ems,I ="
Monday. the 18th Gay OF octoh"r. ustaht'
with high respect and consideraiioli,
personal and official; am your our, 9G seI
servant, L. t. bLh1 II Ii
| TUrica Gevorner Northcn read over the
letter.
Il never felt so keenly the pain of the
| loss OF a public servant befora. Said tHs
governor. Chief Justice Blecllley was 50
| eminently The man for the place. ne Sta1nS
/ 50 close 20 the hearts of all Georgians, n
| has done so much toward giving help ah',
| character To our supreme bench that
! could not bring myself TO accept the IeslS-
! nation without a protest. which feit sure
! would find an echo in all parts oil IN"
! state"
Associate Justice r. J. Simmons has an
| nounced himself for the chief iusticeship.
I The announcement was well received ny
/ IN. members OF the bar now In the city.
| Il felt said Associate Justice simmons,
/ that as J stood next ia the order OF senior
itv that il was proper Tor me 10 announce
for The succession. Ny own term ehds TINS
year. ana i'm declining reelection 10 \
| six-v.ar term, ! caer for the four-yeaf IN
/ ,.xnirai term OF Chief Justice BlecklcE.
4 Talk with Judge Btcctlc*'
! Seated i'm the uarior Of the Hotel Marion
was found Judge Bleckiey.
Yes" said the chief Justice. TOR the
reasons stated in my letter | have Tesis ie"'
The desire for completeness Is win me d
passion. In all that / DO want II 10 =,
| co-uplete | can never be satisfied WIN
ANYTHING short of that. The iEnarinony ol
| in,ornple;cness wrecks my nerves seen
for truth and So ardent is the search taa'
ana conriaei.s yduriu.s AL stages unth "e
l 4 do not withdraw from the supreiYS
: court through choice. love the work an
would sooner ne engaged ia Il thal I'm any
thing else To me the study OF the law
the rlucidation Of truth. the balancing .
: jus ice. IS the dream of life I lind tina
: / everything | do IL hard work. I am SLOW
man / write and rewTite: l think and re
1
/ exhausted the subject. Then. With tn
confidence OF a man who has pursued ever,
| line Of investigation. I declare ny vorl
|, well done The court will so on and d
cisiCns will be rendered by those who arr
; more expeditions than / an."
Asked about some of the crowujn- points
OF his life. the chief Justice said:
My fir; i9ca of law was gained from
helping my father. who was clerk of the
superior court OF Rabun county. This was
IN my eleventh year. IN lSaS. Previously
had attended school taught by my grand
father. who stimulated me with the ROD
remember oncc-l was only five then--rnal k
/ ms plea Of insanity to escape the rod
Later went 10 school under Phlo Brcll-
son. an excellent scholar. from New Hamp-
shire l was admitted 10 he bar H. 1876
after which J came 10 Atlanta and ac-
ceptcd a clerkship un the Western and Al
iantic railroad az $40 . month IT was in
this same block where We now sit that
boarded, paying one-fourth Of my salary
for that expense. L wind up my career
Z about t|o doors from the same spot. still
. Paying ore-fourth 81 NY salary fer baari-
/ no. 1 believe a. is ABOUT Cne-nftA. which
/ makes IHe that much better or. So tim,
/ evcns up ali things. L ned the solicitor
/ i<eEerslship - t'i. C1Wefa circuit IN 49,
I bui I J"ly collected Si..-p q ye,r ,,i!t of n
I never held "A tat office in my lifn
! But concluded the nudge. - nave done
/ my duty. { have Wor4NCd Tor ccmDletenpss
/ ard u / have not succeeded IL IS not fqy
lauiG"