The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-14
BLECKLEY OFF THE BENCH.
GeOTsil'S Chief Justice 10 Retire on
Oct. %.

| ne SeLds his hcB1guatlOn TO the
| Governor-The Failure of the People
to Increase the Number of Judges to
Five the Reason for His Retirement.
He Looks Upon the Work Of the Court
as Too Much for Three Mon.
| Atlanta. Ca, Oct. 1s.-Chief Justice
| Bleckley to-day handed the following LETT
| ter of resignation to Gov. Northen, who
accepted it:
| Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 1S, ls94-His Excel
lency, William J. Northen sir-In ten
dering to you for the second time my res
! ignation of the office of chief justice it
seems proper to make a brief statement
Of my reasons for so doing.
For some years it has been manifest
to the bench and bar of the whole state
that the business of the supreme court
has become too heavy to be adequately
handled and disposed of by three justices.
The fact has also been twice recognized
by the general assembly, and constitu-
| ttonal amendment TO increase the number
! from three to FIVE has been twice passed
ana submitted to the people for ratifica-
| ton. The people, either not being con-
| Nlnced OF the necessity for the proposed
! increase, or If convinced, not caring to
better the efficiency of the court by adopt
| ing the Appropriate means, have twice re-
! 1ected the amendment by a decisive vote
against it. Now, whether the people know
II or not, have personal knowledge that
the necessity exists, and whether they
care to remedy 1t or not l feel constrained
to care TO the extent at least Of declining
| TO remain longer In a situation OF high
! ana responsible public service in which
| three men must either do the work
| of five, or violate the constitution by
! leaving undone considerable part OF that
! which the constitution not only requires
| to be done, but limits in positive terms
the time within which it must be per-
formed
For several years my associates and my
| self. in order to comply with the consti-
| tuuonal mandate in respect to hearing
ana deciding all the cases within a given
time, having been Obliged to omit the
| preparation OF written opinions in very
many cases in which, according to iu-
dicial usage in this state and elsewhere,
| such opinions would rightly be deemed
| Indispensable to render our work thor
ough and complete
The opinions which I, myself, ought TO
have written and would have written
had time and strength permitted in adj
dition to those which have appeared or
| VIII appear In the reports, number, l am
sure, not less than 200 or 800.
Had there been two additional Justices
Z
| ing opinions, all these opinions might
easily have been written for from such
aid double saving of time would have
| resulted: First. decisions could have
| been made more rapidly; and, secondly.
the work of preparing opinions being az
| vided amongst five instead of amongst
| only three, each justice woud have had
| but one-hfth of the whole number of
opinions to write instead of one-thlrd
| thereof.
1t may be thought that as my brethren
| remain at their post and struggle on
should do likewise. and that If the loss OF
| the constitutional amendments affords
any reason why l should resign, the same
reason applies with equal force to them.
one of them is ten, the other twenty
years my Junior, and 1t is reasonable to
| suppose that both can hold out better and
longer against the wear and tear of over
| work than ] can IL | remained with them
| and did my fun part, could not hope to
! rival them in endurance. 1 should have 10
drop out sooner, and might as we'll do il
! now. Besides, they work faster than do
| or can, and sincerely believe thier oner-
| GUS task would be somewhat lightened IL
| they could have in my stead some one
| more expeditions than / am In deciding
cases. Being a slow and cautious Judge.
unless / have ample time for research
and study, l can decide nothing difficult
| with any absolute assurance that my con-
| clusions are correct. am quite too slow
to cooperate with them on equal terms in
the exercise of this most important ju-
dicial function. They can well spare me
for a less timid and hesitatinR mind es-
pecially If their new colleague, as he
easily might, should excel me in legal
learning.
frankly confess that withdraw from
the court with much reluctance. At this
period Of my life judicial work is that for
which am best fitted, and would rather
/ ba ft,1I
have no wish to retire from active life
or to shun moderate labor.
My health is good, and both by mental
constitution and long habit. occupation,
Is essential to my happiness. No feeling
that 1 am superannuated troubles or op-
presses me. Gladly would / serve out the
four remaining years of the term for
which was elected, If / could do so
with justice TO myself or with real ad-
vantage to the state.
Finally to those, IL any. who may be
disposed to criticize my present conduct
adversely would urge this consideration.
not indeed as requiring but as Indicating
my retirement forever from public office.
/ am upwards of 81 years of age. and
have had more than my due share OF of-
hcial opportunity and emolument, having
been an Office holder under the state in
sundry positions for a third part of NV
whole life. Surely I ought to be satis-
fed with what the state has done for me.
dllu ~ nave beeAA AAiLnIui and efficient
the state ought to be satisfied with what
] have done for It. II. on the other hand.
l have failed either in fidelity or efficiency.
It ought TO part with me now with no re-
gret save that my exit was so long de-
layed.
/ beg TO add, I'm conclusion, that in
private life l shall not the less cherish
| sentiments Of grateful affection toward
| all those-the living and the dead--bx
whose favor and confidence / have been
trusted, promoted and honored I desire
this resignation to take effect on Nom
| day, the 18th day OF October Instant.
With high respect and consideration.
personal and official, l am your obedlent
| servant l.. Il. Beckley
The date upon which Judge Bleckley's
resignation takes effect relieves the gov-
ernor Of the duty Of appointing a sue
| cessor, az the legislature will be In ses-
sion and viii elect the new Justice.
Marion's Postofhoe Robbed.