Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-01-01
CHIEF JUSTICE SNODGRASS.
Comments Upon His Pistol Assault
Upon BeaSley.
THINK OF IT!

THINK OF IT!
Think OF a Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the State of Tennessee
being guilty of felonious assault
Think OF 1t, member of the highest
court in the State, the court of last re-
sort, organized for the enforcement Of
the law, deliberately himself violating
1T, by trying to take the life of brother
lawyer. Think of Chief Justice being
guilty of so undlgnifed and so iniuui-
tous thing of arming dimself with q
pistol and going about to shoot man
who has dared to question the correct
ness of one of his. judicial acts in the
columns Of newspaper. The article
written by Beasley and published in the
Chattanooga Times yesterday morning,
which brought about the disgrace, is
printed elsewhere, so that the reader
may see and Judge of the provocation
for himself. Is it not necessary to pre-
sent our purpose to discuss? We confess
that the reflections therein contained
are severe. but the pistol was not the
proper method for a judge of the Su-
preme Court to employ in meeting the
charges, II 1t was thought necessary to
meet them at all. Those who are ac-
quainted with Mr.. Beasley know that
he is an extreme man, and that he is
given to taking extreme views Of things.
If what he says in the article in question
about Judge Snodgrass he untrue, the
Judge could have very Twell afforded to
pass them by in silence. In any event
he could not afford, if he has proper
respect for himself, and for the high Of
flee he holds, to arm himself and go after
Mr.. Beasley in the manner of common
bully who has neither character nor
self respect to sacrifice. In view of
what happened yesterday, he should re-
sign at once, and his resignation should
be accepted.-Knoxville journal.
HUMILIATING SPECTACLE.
1t is painful thing to have to con-
template the humiliating spectacle of a
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
tennessee engaging in a common hrawl
and attempting the life of his adversary
with deadly weapon which he was
carrying in violation of law Justice
Snodgrass is man of violent and un-
governable temper, and when his pas
sion is excited, as it is often and easily,
he loses all sense of the dignity of his
position. We regret to say it, for we
have always held Judge Snodgrass in
nigh esteem personally, and have ad-
mired his legal ability and attainments :;
but the plain truth is he has brought
shame upon the State and deep reproach
upon the bench. The man whose sense
of the dignity of his high Office is so
slight, whose control over his own pas
slons is so weak, is unfit for the bench,
no matter how otherwise attractive NAV
be his personal qualities or how great
may be his abilities. A Judge whose
infirmity of temper is so great that he
can descend from the bench and go out
with pistol in his pocket to resent
criticism on his judicial acts is not a
safe man to hold on even balance the
scales of justice. Judge Snodgrass has
grossly, shamefully outraged the dignity
of his office and stained the ermine in
which the State has clothed him. He
ought to recognize the fact that his vio-
lent, headstrong and impulsive temper
are incompatible with the duties of his
office and resign.-Memphis Commercial
Appeal.
AN INDISPENSABLE ACT.
II the reported difficulty between Chief
Justice Snodgrass and John r. Beasley
be true, it was a most unfortunate oc-
currence. Intelligent men understand
that Beasley is a crank, whose utter
ances upon any subject are entitled to
little consideration, and it would be diff
tcult for him to injure the character of
any man. The action of Chief Justice
Snodgrass in assailing him with pistol
is indefensible, considering the position
he holds. The occurrence is to be deeply
regretted, no matter what the provoca-
ton or result-EnoXville Tribune.
ONLY ONE THING TO DO.
There is only one thing proper for
Chief Justice Snodgrass to do, and that
is to resign his office. Should he fail to do
this, there will be only one thing proper
for Governor Turney to do, and that is
to request his resignation. The Cover
| nor haS to a.. IN. r
Justice, but as the head of the State
government, he ought to show his sense
OF what the good name of the State re-
quires in the circumstances.
We do not anticipate any such action
on the part of the Governor, for reasons
which it is not necessary to state here,
and we have no idea that Snodgrass
will resign. A man in his position who
has so little respect for his obligations
as to attempt murder in apersonal quar-
rel precipitated by himself, and for
which he had prepared by arming him
self and in violation of law, can not be
expected to give up fat office out of re.
gard for the proprieties.
lnere Is no need OF argument in such
a case. The dullest mind is capable of
comprehending the right and wrong of
1t upon moments reflection. The grand
old State of Tennessee has indeed fallen
upon evil times when the very head and
front of the law goes about exhibiting
that utter contempt for the law which
distinguishes the swash buckler and the
frontier of civilization.
1t is disheartening and humiliating
revelation to the peaceable citizens of
the State. The ermine that has blood on
it is mockery and an insult to public
decency, rather than an emblem of JUS
tice and security.-Memphis Scimitar.
BEST COURSE TO RESIGN.
n