Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-02
.JUDGESO NEW
ATLANTACOURT
ARE NOMINATED
Ben Hill Writes Letter Telling of
Weight Of Work on Su-
perior Bench,
Continued from Page I.

OF the judges OF the Superior
Court. The honor Is all The more
valued because IL comes from one
who. in his own career, has so well
illustrated the loftiest ideals Of
noble profession, and who has on
frequent occasions publicly eX-
pressed his high conception Of the
character and dignity Of the ju-
dicial office. ! trust that Il viii
not be Inappropriate for me to state
to YOU as the alter ego OF the peO-
pie Of the State the casOns i'm
pelling me to give up the high jul
diCial position to which they have
SO recently re- elected me without
opposition, for a term OF six years
Briefly, these are. less responsible
itv. less work more compensation,
and closer association with mem
bers of the Atlanta bar. to whom
| am so great a debtor. To a
Judge with a conscience, the ulti-
mate decision respecting a mans
liberty, reputation and property is
attended with fearful anxiety. The
possibility Of error is a constant
and haraSsing menace to peace and
contentment ! do not mean In any
degree to minimize the responsible
ity of a judge of a trial court, for
in my opinion the office OF judge
Of the Superior Court is in some
respects the most important in the
State. If, however the judge OF
that court errs in his judgment. he
tan confidently and happily rely
upon the Supreme Court or the
Court of Appeals to correct his err
ror Not so with the Judge Of a
court of last resort His error Is
remediless
leave the Court Of Appeals
with reluctance and sadness.
have become attached TO the work
of the Court, and | have enjoyed
and been greatly benefited by col
laboration with my able and consci-
entious associates. In going on the
trial bench | shall endeaVor ever to
bear in mind the ChardCteri2ation
Of the ideal Judge" as given in
the old Nisigothic Code, He should
be energetic and clear Of speech
certain in opinion; ready in weigh
ing evidence, so that whatever pro-
ceeds from the course o. the law
NAV at once impress all hearers
that It Is characterized by neither
doubt nor perpleXity. The judge
should be quick Of perception, firm
OF purpose; clear in judgment;
lenient in the intliction of penalties;
assiduous in the practice of mercy;
expeditions in the VindiCation of the
innocent; clement in his treatment
Of criminals; careful OF the rights
Of strangers; gentle toward his
countrymen. He should be no re-
spector of persons, and should
avoid ali appearance of partially"
All OF us can, at least, emulate the
kindly attributes enumerated.
Even in this enlightened age |
doubt IL anything of substance can
he added to what has been so well
formulated I'm this code OF the bar
barians of the fourth century. If
should attempt any addition ii
would be that the judge in the trial
of cases should never assume the
role of prosecutor, nor invade the
sacred precincts of the jury box,
and while enforcing the law, should
also protect and preserve the in
alienable right of the citizen to
personal liberty. personal security
and private property guaranteed
by the Constitution.
In conclusion | trust that | shall
not offend the canons of good taste
by stating that my judicial work as
judge of the Court Of Appeals has
found both helpful and grateful
inspiration.
With high personal regards
Yours sincerely.
BENZ II. HILL.