Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/579

 532

man of resolute and vigorous intellect, a Senator in the National Congress, and for fourteen years Governor of the State. Impetuous, irascible, and of despotic will, he was little qualified to perform the duties of judge. The last of the lay Chief-Justices was Isaac Wilbour, who held the office from 1 8 19 to 1826. A farmer by occupation, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, and later a Representative in Congress. When succeeded by Judge Eddy, some one said that "though the public might get more law, they would not get more justice."

The number of judges was reduced from five to three in 1827, and Samuel Eddy was elected Chief - Justice. His election marks a new period in the history of the court, as from this time the new judges elected were taken from the legal profession. The ad judications of the court now become of interest, not merely as

historical studies, but as judicial precedents. A general knowledge of affairs and good common-sense, which had hitherto been thought sufficient qualifications for judicial service, were no longer regarded as com petent, when unaided by learning in the law to solve the intricate legal questions now requiring decision. Samuel Eddy. Judge Eddy was bofn in Johnston, March 3, 1769. Educated in the country schools, and under the tuition of Rev. James Man ning, D.D., he entered Brown Univer-

sity in 1783, and graduated in 1787. The following year he began the study of the law, and in 1790 was admitted to the bar. From this time until 1835, except for short inter vals, he held public office. His reputation for scholarly ability and integrity early won for him the confidence of the people; and his gradual promotion through the different grades of the public .service to positions of highest honor and trust shows that this confidence was well placed. In 1790, shortly before his admission to practice, he was chosen a delegate to the State Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. From 1790 to 1794 he was Clerk of the Supreme Court, and in 1793 Clerk of the General Assembly. From 1797 he was for twenty-two years annually elected to the office of Secretary of State. In 1818 he was elected a member of Congress with out opposition, and he continued to hold the office for six years. He was elected an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1826, and in the year following Chief-Justice. He held the latter office until 1835. No provision was made for reporting the decisions of the court at the time Judge Eddy was on the bench. In 1847 Joseph K. Angell, the well-known law-writer, was elected first reporter of the court. The opinion in the first case in the State reports was written by Judge Eddy. This is the only case decided by him which appears in the reports. He is reputed to have been an able judge, and a man of the highest integrity.