The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-10-08


Arson P. Morrill,, that wonderfully able
and practical political leader, in organlZ-
ing all the various elements that were
fused into the Republican party IN 1854,
with himself its candidate for Governor,
during the campaign became greatly I'M
pressed with the character, wisdom and
general abilities of Mr.. Davis, and upon
his installati ion in the gubeinatorlal chalf
appointed him State treasurer; soon there
after, however, to place him IN the more
congenial ard appropriate position, TO
him, upon the supreme bench Mr. DAVIS
had, in articulation OF the event, removed
to Portland, where ne assumed the judi
cial duties amid the most radical crl1lclsm
of the Democratic papers and lawyers,
with the general misgivings OF the law
vers of his own party, who quite gener-
ally doubted the capacity Of Judge DAVIS
for such an important and exalted place.
The charge was commonly made that he
was absolutely deficient in legal acquire
ments: that he had no standing at the bar
of Waldo county (which latter charge
was substantially true); that his appoint
mert would greatly lower the previous
high standing OF the Supreme Court,
while many strong leaders OF the new
party which must be held responsible Tor
the new Judge wera fearful that its re-
suits might prove an injury to 1t.
Governor Morrill,, however, knew his
man and his vindication was immediate
and decisive. Judge Davis presided tor
the first time III Cumberland county,
where he had to face the most extensive
ami able bar in Maine, and his first term
was sufficient TO remove all opposition
and prejudice and win the respect OF law
2 nv
modest dignity, courtesy and tact, com
bined with a wonderful knowledge of the
law, and the exhibition of a judicia lmlnd
of extraordinary cleverness in ruling upon
all complicated points OF law.
Judge Davis mad become firmly en-
trenched in the respect and friendship OF
bench and bar when he was called upon
to act upon political question that, TOR
time. brought him to the front as the
foremost and most bitterly contested
issue in the State, and resulted III ms re-
moval from the bench, by vote Of the
legislature. on resolution to that effect;
an act OF party despotism that found I'M
mediate and universal dlsapproVal IN legal
circles throughout the country and which
was one Of the strong factors that re-
suited in the complete overthrow at the
following election of the political party
responsible for the crime.
1t is an interesting story and brings
! back to public attention the fierce pollti-
cal strife of fifty years ago, when the
Democratic and Wing fusion leaders de-
cided it to be a political necessity that
the party whip be cracked over the back
of timid legislators Of their combination
to ride rough shod over the Judiciary
through legislative prerogatlves, IN a
| manner that shocked the sense OF con-
servative citizens who pinned their faith
to constitutional methods.
At that period, the National and State
constitutions were sacred instruments
with all honest and patriotic cltlzens, as
is holy writ with God-feaflng people; 1t
was long before the day of modern dodg-
ing around well established statutes, and
| the Juggling processes of evasion OF then
penalties, through the aid of lawyers OF
especial capacity in disappearing plan
! English sentences be t ore compliant
| udges. 1t is in recent days that it has
| become fashionable to ignore easy read
ING law in plain statutes, until the aver
| aee NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. has come to be-
| 6eve that they are no longer OF binding
| force or entitled to respect. 1t was Tin
! Sullivan. a noted Tammany leader OF
| New York. who when denied by President
Grover Cleveland an important favor, be
cause to grant it would compel violation
of the constitution, readily and sincerely
replied whats the constitution among
friends Over twenty years after the
shock to public sentiment given by the
removal Of Judge Davis, the Supreme
| Court of Maine felt called upon to sub
stantially reverse decision made two
wears previously that denied positive
majority of the voters of county then
choice of State Senator, because that
unjust and s}ea I'd saaa psr food Ss
would have reversed the verdict OF al
| entire State and overthrown constltu
ME 1t was an act of supreme justice t.
the dominant party, but most humlllat
ING admission of partisan judgment il
the first case.
Following the successful welding to
oether in 1854 of the great body OF tenn
nerance and anti slavery Democrats
wings and free-soilers, which made An
son p. Morrill, Governor, came IN 1853