The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-11-05
Is oFFIcE WORTH TIE PRIcEf

There Is almost universal complaint
that those citizens best fitted for once
cannot be induced TO become candt
dates. II is seldom indeed that the
ablest members OF the bar aspire 70
/ places on the bench. It is the rares'
thing in the world that the most sue
cessful business men can be pursuad'
ed to accept public Office Why Is
this? AS a rule the salaries which
public officials receive will compare
most fayorably with the compensation
which business men and the profes-
sionaI men Of the communities receive
for corresponding services. There is
also a fascination about public office.
Its honors are alluring. 1t is not so
much the financial sacrifice that
keeps the best citizens out Of public
life There is another cause and it
is not difficult to find.
Republics are ungrateful. If the
ambitious and patriotic lawyer could
receive some assurance from the ex-
perience of others that his services
upon the bench would be appreciated
and that after a term or two he would
not be denied a reward for his devo-
ton to public duty merely to make
place for another there would
he more attraction for the ablest mem
hers of the bar to serve on the ju-
dietary. The same thing is true OF
the business men who would like to
serve in administrative Offices. No
matter how conscientiously they may
perform their duties; no matter how
valuable their services may be the
chances are that they will not be long
continued in Office.
The experience of one of Tennes-
sees ablest and strongest Judges a
few days ago brings these facts forc1-
bIy to the attention of the public. For
twenty-four years job mr.. Bond has
served as a member of the States
Judiciary During that time he has
held the scales of justice with an even
hand. He has been firm, courageous
and just in the administration of the
law No unworthy motive has ever
prompted a decision from his courts.
His record as Judge will compare
favcrably with that of any Judge In
the land. He has earned every dollar
that he has received in salary Dur
ing his service on the bench he mas
presided at hundreds of sessions OF
court. vet but twice in a quarter OF a
century did he fail to WELD the gavel
at the hour appointed for the begin
ming of the term.
Judge Bond was a gallant Confed-
crate soldier At sixteen he ran away
from home and joined Forests com
mand in time to scale the heights OF
Fort Pillow amid the storm of shot
and she'll that moved down so many
of the Southern heroes on that men,
orabe day. He is now in the twilight
of life. His hair is whitened by the
SHOWS of many winters. His days
upon this earth are in the nature OF
things numbered. He is poor man
His entire time for quarter of cen
turv has been devoted to the public
service and he has not accumulated
dollar. He has given no attention 10
his personal affairs.
No attack was made upon his rec
ord when he asked for another term
His enemies will concede the truth OF
rhe statements made above His con
spicuous ability: his answering de-
yotion to duty: his unselfish labors IN
the public interest were conceded
And vet he was denied an endorse
ment merely because another exem
rIary citizen wanted the place Was
there ever greater traversty upon JUS
Eice? Was ever the peoples verdict
more cruel? Cases similar to Judge
Bonds are numerous. And this is
why there is so little in public office TO
attract the. best Udlent, the best
thought and the best patriotism of the
land. Verify Republics are ungrateful
-DOp1D Hpkln