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

HIS '1N''iltii'+r "''''' '
Governor. Atlanta, Ga.
My Dear Governor Slaton.
cannot content myself with
merely Il formal expression Of
appreciation Of the honor con
fcrred upon me in my appoint
ment as one Of the judges Of the
Superior Court The honor is all
she more valued because it 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
hat it will not be inappropriate
for me TO state to you as the alter
ego of the people OF the state the
reasons impelIing me to give up
the high judicial position to which
they have so recently reelected
me, without opposition, for q
term OF six years.
Briefly, these are, less respon-
sibiIity. less work, more com
pensation, and a closer associa
ion with members Of the Atlanta
ear. to whom ] am 80 great q
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 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. IT, 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 to 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 II taxes the physical en-
duranoe 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 a clear docket From data
obtained from the clerks of the
courts Of last resort OF the dir
fcrent States the number of cases
which come annually TO the SUI
preme Court and the Court of
Appeals largely exceeds any
other court OF last resort i'm the
EntCd States This lis not due
.o amy exceptionally iiugous spir-
FL on the part of the people ~
Georgia but Is attributable to the
fact that there is in Georgia no re-
stuCtlous whatever on the right
of appeal and any case, no mat
ter how small the amount in
volved can be taken on pau
pers affidavit TO either the SUI
prgme Court or the Court of An
peals From the same source OF
Information Ut appears that the
sFerage salary paid to the
adges of courts of asst re-
sort of the .nerent gtates OF
This Union is $4,000 a year. and
'hc States of equal wealth and
population with the State Of
Georgia pay to the judges Of the
aurts OF last resort salaries OF
from $4,000 TO $4,000 per annum
on leaving the bench ] venture io
say this much n 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 h
pleasure for us to publish it h
: is an inspiration to those who
! }ounoement to evil doors that
~ Iess-trom a fearless man
lawyers can browbeat, mobs il
thy OF the community turn fro