L. O. Hatch

HATCH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/26/2009 at 20:57:52

Clayton County Centennial Edition, July, 1936

L. O. Hatch

In the qualifications of a judge, we would place judicial temperament above superlative knowledge of the law. But the judicial district secured both in placing L. O. Hatch upon the bench. His profound knowledge of the law, coupled with a smooth working analytical mind, gave poise to his instructions, and dignity to his court rulings. Attorneys who came before him attempted no violent interpretation of the statutes or court interpretations. His analyses of religious or political dogma lent intelligent conclusions to the “open mind.”

Some five of the attorneys named were promoted to the judicial judgeship. One became congressman, another U. S. land commissioner at Washington. Each one laid down his commission unsullied, having given the state and nation efficient service. More than this they had set high standards that were carried to the newly organized communities in all portions of the state. The pioneers of Clayton County possessed brain, brawn and high ideas and this group of attorneys was the keystone of the arch.

How different today when the highest court of the nation deplores a broken down judiciary! Where does the fault lie? Has the lapse of years been breeding men without moral fiber? Have judges and lawyers so exaggerated their place in the social fabric that they will disregard laws they placed in the statute books and defy the orderly progress of civilization.

It has been said that “Without vision, we perish,” but the singled track mind carries no searchlight that penetrates the tomorrows where posterity should inherit the institutions that a wise judiciary has preserved.

The men that we write of were standing on the frontier-the outpost of civilization-and unlike Cain they felt they were their brothers’ keepers. They looked out upon a broad expanse that would be dotted with homes, and they were to stand as sponsors in making of rules in which they would live, and have part in building a state.