Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-04
JUDGE HILLS LETTER:

His Excellency, John M. Slaton,
Governor, Atlanta Ga.
MY Dear Governor Slaton:
I cannot content myself with
merely a formal expression OF
appreciation of the honor con-
ferred upon me in my appoint
ment as one of the judges Of the
Superior Court. The honor is all
the moro valued because 1t comes
from one who, in his own career,
has so well illustrated the Hottest
ideals Of a noble profession, and
who has on frequent occasions
publicly expressed his high con-
ception of the character and dig
nifty of the judicial Office. trust
that It will not be inappropriate
for me to state to you as the alter
ego of the people of the State the
reasons impelling me to give up
the high judicial position to which
they have so recently reelected
me. without opposition, for
term of six years.
Briefly. these are, less respon-
Eibility, less work, more com
pensation, and a closer associa-
ton with members of the Atlanta
bar. to whom ! am so great a
debtor. TO A JUDGE WITH A
CONSCIENCE, THE ULTIMATE
DECISION RESPECTING A
MANS LIBERTY. REPUTA-
TIoN AND PROPERTY is AT
TENDED WITH FEARFUL
ANXIETY. THE POSSIBILITY
OF ERROR is A CONSTANT
AND HARASSING MENACE TO
PEACE AND CONFINEMENT.
do not mean in any degree to
minimize the responsibility of a
Judge of a trial court, for in my
opinion the office of judge OF the
Superior Court is in some re-
spects the most important in the
State. II. however. the Judge Of
that court errs in his judgment,
he can confidently and happily re-
~ upon the Supreme Court or the
Court of Appeals 10 correct his
error. Not so with the Judge of a
court of last resort. His error Is
remediless.
The work OF the Court of APP
peals, heavy in the beginning. has
so rapidly and greatly increased
that now It taxes the physical en-
durance and mental ability OF the
Judges, and leaves no time for
leisure or recreation. Since the
organization of the court Janu-
airy, 1907. nearly six thousand
cases have been determined. the
opinions filling thirteen volumes.
All these cases have been decided,
and on Monday the court will
face clear docket. From data
obtained from the clerks of the
courts of last resort OF the dit-
ferent States. the number of cases
which come annually to the Su-
preme Court and the Court OF
Appeals largely exceeds any
other court Of last resort in the
United States. This is not due
TO any exceptionally litigous spir-
st on the part OF the people of
Georgia, but is attributable to the
fact that there is in Georgia no re-
strictions whatever on the right
of appeal, and any case, no mat
ter how small the amount in
volved. can be taken on a pau
peTs affidavit 10 either the Su-
preme Court or the Court Of Ap-
peals. From the same source OF
information it appears that the
average salary paid 10 the
judges OF courts Of iast re-
sort OF the different States OF
this Union is $500 a year, and
the States OF equal wealth and
population with the State Of
Georgia pay to the judges OF the
courts Of last resort salaries OF
from $4,000 TO $4,000 per annum.
on leaving the bench / venture to
say this much in the hope that
Isn't that a splendid lett
judge and an honest man; one
science with cowardice, who
and who will interpret the Law
We are glad Judge Hill hs
pleasure for us to publish it h
is an inspiration to those who
nouncement to evil doors that
no less-from a fearless man
lawyers can browbeat, mobs il
thy Of the community turn fir,