1823 Feb. 28

Greece. J.B's Observations etc.

Judiciary resumed

As the only effectual preventive of delay, power to every Judge to appoint Deputies in any number, to sit at the same time with himself for the dispatch of business in different causes, but let no emolument be receivable by any such Deputy at the expence either of the public or of individuals. No doubt can be entertained of willingness on the part of a sufficient number of sufficiently apt individuals to undertake so honorable an office. The having served in such office might and should be made a necessary qualification, for the being placed in the office of Judge. The choice thus proposed to be made of a Deputy should be declared to the parties and objections received. The principal Judge should not be sitting at home unoccupied while any such Deputy of his was sitting for if such inaction were allowed two evils might follow, 1 to save his own reputation a partial Judge might assign the function in this or that particular case to some connexion of one of the parties who for the sake of the profit, from partiality, would be content to submit to the disrepute: 2 The office of principal Judge might moreover be converted into a sinecure. In case of sickness such power of deputation is matter of absolute necessity.