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

His E,XCeilency, John M. Slaton,
Governor, Atlanta, Ga
MY Dear Governor Slaton:
] 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 more valued because it comes
from one who. in his own career,
has so well illustrated the loftiest
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 II 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 a
term of six years.
Briefly, these are, less respon-
sibility, less work, more COM
pensatlon, and a closer assocla-
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 POSS. BIL1TY
OF ERROR Is A CONSTANT
AND HARASSGNG 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. II, however, the Judge OF
that court errs In his Judgment,
he can confidently and happily re
w upon the supreme Court or the
Court of Appeals to correct his
error. Not so with the Judge OF q
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 il taxes the physical en-
durauce 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
eases have been determined, the
opinions filling thirteen volumes.
All these cases have been decided,
and on Monday the court viii
face a clear docket. From data
obtained from the clerks Of the
courts Of last resort OF the diff
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 lltgous spir-
IL 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 pau
pers affidavit TO either the Su-
preme Court or the Court Of Ap-
peals. From the same source OF
information il appears that the
sverage salary paid 10 the
Judges OF courts OF last 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 10 $4,000 per annum.
on leaving the bench ! venture to
say this much in the hope that
Isn't that splendid lett
judge and an honest man; one
science with cowardice, who
and who will interpret the Law
We are glad Judge Hill ha
pleasure for us to publish it h
is an inspiration to those who
Douncement to evil doors that
no less-trom a fearless man ,
browbeat, mobs intimidate, N
community turn from the pat