The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-12-19
JUDGE MORRIS WILL
Retire IN FEBRUARY
Col. d. w. Blair Has Been Named BY
Governor Ta Be Next Judge Of
Blue Ridge Circuit

Ridge Circuit to Governor Dorsey, to
become effective on February first.
next, an dthe same was accepted by
the governor.
On Saturday Governor Dorsey
named Col. Daniel Webster Blair, of
Marietta, to succeed Judge Morris on
February first.
For some time IL has been known
that Judge Morris desired to retire
from the Judgeship, and while he
gave no reason for it in his formal
resignation, it was known that his
private business has grown to such an
extent as to require large part of
his time. He stated that before Feb
ruay he would have time to dispose of
pending motions, and other unfinish-
ed business of the court, and leaving
clear deck for his successor before
the spring term of court.
Immediately upon his retirement
he will enter into the active practive
of law with his office in Marietta.
Judge Morris is serving his second
term in the office, and despite the
bitter opposition of a few personal
and political enemies, has made one
of the most capable and efficient oc-
cupants of the circuit bench of the
state.
He has endeavored to so arrange
the terms of his circuit as to inter-
fere as little as possible with all bust
ness, and particularly with the farm
ers busy season. He has stood for
the economic administration of the
courts, and of all the affairs of the
counties over which the court had
jurisdiction. He has thus been able
to save substantial sums to the treas
uries of the various counties.
The record will probably show that
he has had fewer reversals than any
other Judge in the state during the
same period, and while standing for
the rigid enforcement of the law, par
ticularly the prohibition law, which
was not altogether popular with GER
tain elements in this section, he has
tempered justice with mercy, and
counts his friends by the thousands
In the circuit over which he presides.
He was the first Judge to announce
an open door" policy toward the
boys in the service charged with mis-
demeanors, and when he announced
more than year ago, at the time of
the armistice, that all boys in the
service against whom misdeameanor
cases were pending, should have a
clean slate" and could come home
to the Blue Ridge Circuit without
fear Of prosecution, he struck a popu-
lar chord, not only in the breasts of
all the boys cover there, but also
with the fair minded and generous
folks here at home.
In his dealing with offenders
against the prohibition law, it has
been his custom to distinguish be-
tween those found guilty or making
or trafficing in whiskey CONNER
clally, and those who were simply
found guilty of having small guam
.tlty IN possession for personal or fam
lily use. The former he has given
changing sentences, while the latter
usually got off with fine and a eau
ton.
Judge Morris will leave the bench
with thousands of warm personal
friends, and many of them former
political enemies, who wish for him
every success in the practice of his
profession or any other business he
may undertake.
Col. D. W. Blair, who is to succeed
him, is too we'll known in Marietta.
and perhaps throughout the circuit.
Tor any words of commentator with
IN our command to add anything to
MS reputation for ability as a lawyer.
integrity as citizen, and highminded
christian character as a gentleman.
With his large private interests
and his lucrative and successful law
practice, he is making great sacri-
nee to accept the position, and he is
no doubt he is actuated very largely
by his conception of duty to his state,
when he gives over these to accent
the office. He is free from any poll
tical alliance or pledge, and will serve
the state ably and honorably, with
fairness and impartiality.
We commend Governor Dorsey up
on the appointment, and we congratu-
late the people of the Blue Ridge
Circuit, and of any other over which
he may preside, upon the fitness of
the man for the office.
While the appointment is only for
the unexpired term for year, it
should eliminate the possibility of a
contest in the Circuit next year.
Col. Blair is president of the board
of education in Marietta, and connec-
ted with number of the larger bust
ness enterprises of the city. He has
served as mayor of the City. and
was law partner of the late Senator
Clay.
Mr.. VIM. Graham, of Chatsworth,
who has been court raportor for