Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1902 — JUDGE S. P. THOMPSON. [ARTICLE]

JUDGE S. P. THOMPSON.

Retired From the Bench of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit. Newton County Kotorp rwt-. To-morrow S. P. Thompson* will retire from the Judgeship of the thirtieth judicial circuit, after a term of six years, In some respects Mr. Thompson’s career on the bench has been unique. On assuming the duties of the oflficethe district was composed of the* counties of Jasper, Newton and Benton. The bar of the latter county soon found itself in discord with the Judge and a legislative divorce followed, but of this we care not to speak further. It had been the desire of Mr. Thompson’s life to serve one term as Judge as a fitting capsheaf to his lonsr years of work as an attorney, and it is to be regretted that difficulties arose to mar the serenity o& his term. His ability as a Judge* of law, his character or his honesty, however, have never been questioned. He conducted court after a fashion of his own, and has frequently stated that fiiip--court should be an institution for the trying of cases, and not for the hatching of new lawsuits. His excentricities, however, will soon be forgotten, overshadowed’ by his ability as a lawyer, for there are few more able ones in the State of Indiana. It might be said of Mr. Thompthat at times he rode hobbies, and one of these was economy, but in this the people will find no fault. In the six years of his service the jury served but 149 days, an average of 25 days a year, or about one week a term. The entire expense of the county for 1897 was but $2,813 11; 1898, $2,087.62; 1899, $1,452.85; 1900 $1,750.15; 1901, $2,125.92, and 1902, $1,277.00. We doubt if this record can be exelled in any other county in the State. A surplus is left remaining in every appropriation made by tne council for the use of the court the past year with the exception of one, that of taking prisoners to the Rensselaer jail, which appropriation was. overdrawn $3131. During the winter Mr. Thompson will go south with his family for the benefit of their health and following that he hopes to again settle down to a limited practice of law. See our line of dress goods; all the* new things at the lowest prices.

LARUE BROS.