The Delta independent., 1921-01-21
CONCERNING A SECOND
JUDGE FOR THIS DISTRICT


ment for and against the matter. The
Independent was the first newspaper
to raise the question whether an addi-
tional Judge was needed. We are still
of the same belief that if an additional
Judge is needed the district should
be so provided. s
The opinion of District Attorney
Burgess, and the views of Attorney
George Bullock of Grand Junction are
herewith reproduced:
Ontario, Calf, Jan. 6. 1921.
Mr.. Walter Walker,
Editor Daily Sentinel,
Grand Junction, Colo.
Dear Mr.. Walker:
My fathers condition has SO much
improved that l can give some
thought to other matters; and, be-
cause of the fact that it was an
nounced through your paper that
Messrs Moynihan, Vincent and
were sponsoring the bill for an ad-
ditional judge in our district and be-
cause of the fact that you have invit-
ed discussion, l wish to make my po-
sition clear with reference to this
matter.
In the first place, l favor the bill
because l know it is Judge Blacks
wish that an additional judge be pro-
vided. Anyone who knows Judge
Black and the tireless manner in
which he does his work knows that
he is not asking this simply to avoid
work that he could do. Every law
yer that has much business knows
how Judge Black crowds their work
in with other work that he is doing
and is always accommodating them
by using time that belongs to HIM
self. He holds thirteen regular terms
of court each year, besides such spe-
cial terms as he may crowd in and
know personally that while he is
away from Montrose he is continuous
ly phoned and written to to arrange
for hearings just as soon as he shall
return there, so that he has no time
at all after the strain of one term
until he is into the next term.
Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties
should have at least three terms OF
court each year instead of two; but
with one Judge this is physically i'm
possible. If an additional Judge were
available and the terms of court were
not so far apart, cases could be dis
patched in half the time that Is now
required.
In spite of all l have said before.
I should not feel so strongly about
this matter if / felt that the counties
of the Seventh judicial district had
reached their maximum growth and
importance and were either going to
stand still or go back II this were
true, we might all say: "oh, well,
Judge Black has stood up under
SO far; l guess he will pull through
all right. and perhaps in few
months more the business will have
fallen off so we won't need another
judge"
know that there are some lawyers
in the district who are living in their
past and believe that the whole
world has gone wrong and regard
with suspicion anyone who may be
looking to or planning for the fu-
ture. Undoubtedly such people feel
that the present rush OF business is
only temporary and that we will soon
be back to the dull old times not
long ago." Or it may be that they
are out of touch with what is going
on in our courts and feel that Judge
Black don't know what he is talk
ing about when he says there Is so
much work. What have said about
some lawyers opposition to this bill
does not apply to all those who op-
pose it, because some OF them hon
estly feel that there is no need.
ia my honest opinion that, If Judge
Black would quit using time that
rightfully belongs to himself to ac-
commodate others, 1t would not be SIX
months till every lawyer in the dis
trict would either be demanding
new Judge or an additional judge.
Notwithstanding my own feelings
with reference to 1t, I shall not use
any more energy to secure the pass
age of the bill because Of my person
al interest in the matter. II the leg
fslature sees fit to pass 1t, i shall be
glad. but shall do nothing more.
AS to who shall be appointed, II a
new Judge is provided, is different
matter. Although ! have a prefer
ence Gas is naturaD, 1t really makes
no difference to me who is appointed
80 long as he is honorable. capable
and impartial.
This is a wonderful country out
here and have learned much from
II. Except to leave for home in
about one week.
Sincerely yours,
L. w. BURGESS.
District Attorney, Seventh Judicial
District OF Colorado.