The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-04-15
HAS BEEN VISITING HAWAII
On the Bench In Territory 81 New
MeNiec-was a Genuine Man 81
the recommendations.


SV>ssS SWNSe SuitN. VINO IS ~ aote
JU-;St and Accomplished Scholar has
been one of the most prominent men
in his country, he was placed az the
head ~ the bench in the territory o.
New Mexico when man of peculiar
qualification was needed for the post.
raere had been in that country such 4
reign ~ lSwleSSneSS that courts were
deied by 3 powerful element. In some
counties and towns the deSperadoeS
had the sympathy and often the CO.
opsr&,ion ~ che executive officers q
the law. In Col. Smith, Viryinian.
was found 3 man - cope with the
situation. He had 10 BE utterly fear
less, absolutely impartial. well Schoolei
IN the practice OF law and Of the firm
eS, and highest judicial turn Of mind.
In the period OF four years there was
made by this appointed Chief Justice
such a recori as il rarely falls to the
lot % one man 20 make. He changed
the life OF the Territory. The charac-
ter Snd extent OF his remarkable work
is shown by the following editorial
from the Las Vegas. y. NJ Optic news
paper. given the morning after grand
farewell banquet rendered TO the jus
ties:
As appears in locals today. Judge
Thomas Smith, retiring chief Justice
of New Mexico. was rendered last even
ing 4 farewell banquet by the citizens
OF Las Vegas.
The Optic feels that il would be de-
relict in duty. did it not take this oc-
caSion TO voice the sentiment OF the
entire community. and We believe the
sentiments of the better elements OF
all New Mexico. in approval Of Judge
Smiths administration as the chief
justice of this TERRITORY.
No man has ever occupied the po-
Sition of judge OF this Judicial district,
10 whom the people bear a debt of
deepsr gratitude. When he came 10
the bench, a little more than four
years ago. there reigned confusion
worse COMPOUNDED. in all this section
OF New Mexico. Life nor property was
secure. Red-hanned perpetrators OF
outrage were banded together in we'll
known organizations defying law and
terrorizing the community. No man
could call his life his own. and he
held his property only so long as some
stronger or more cunning man did not
wish TO take it. As a feeble resistance
TO this tate of affairs. an atrocious
murderer had been swung to q tele-
graph pole in the principal street OF
East Las Vegas: but the general feel
ing was that his death had been ac-
comphshed by those who feared his
confessions on trial. rather than by
an outraged community demanding a
life for life. Fence cutting. barn burn
ing, cattle stealing. midnight assassin
ations-these were the things which
characterized northeastern New Mex
leo generally, and San Miguel county
particularly. OF course, capital with
drew. property was put upon the mar
ket regardless of value, visitors ceased
TO arrive, taxes were not paid, and the
darkest night of depression settled up-
on this section. known since the occu-
pancy Of New Mexico by American do
mination.
How is It now? Everything has
changed. Law and order abound. IN
lawful organizations have been aban-
doned. Perpetrators of outrage sleep
in the grave or wear the penitentiary
stripe. Life and property are as safe
in this section of New Mexico as in
the most favored portions of the pop
ulous east. The tide of prosperity has
again set our way. Capital is returning
70 its accustomed haunts. No man
fears for his life or his possessions.
And all this has been ACCOMPLISHED
within the narrow bounds of four
consecutive years. And now has this
change been wrought?
New Mexico has had a chief justice
who. in his official capacity, has known
no friends and feared no enemies, who
knew mis- duty and knowing dared per
form, who made the law a terror 10
evil doors, who required the discharge
Of his whole duty from every county
and court official, from every juror
and every witness.
Such has been Judge Thomas Smith.
to whom this section of New Mexico
last night showed its appreciation of
boundless debt of gratitude
The following extract from letter
written 10 Judge Smith by leading
attorney OF central New Mexico, op-
posed to him politically and section
ally, gives voice to the sentiment we'll
nigh universal in the Territory. and
which has been strengthened and re-
enforced by the utterances Of the Bar
in every portion of the Fourth judicial
district The latter says:
Il see that the President has named
your successor, and l only hope that
he will so administer the affairs OF
his Office as to be a worthy successor
TO yourself
Il think only voice the best senti-
ment of New Mexico when I say that
/ believe that you accomplished more
good for law and order in New Mexico
during your term of office than has
ever been accomplished by any one
man in New Mexico and IL the Presi-
dent could only have had the wisdom
to have continued you for four more
years, am quite sure that the percent