Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/264

A Sketch of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

235

and removed to Cleveland to resume the place in the Capitol." He thought it best practice as a member of the firm of Ran- that the court see the people, hear the ar ney, Backus & Noble. He became the guments, and not be confined to dry printed United States District Attorney, but resigned records and briefs. And distinguished law within a few months. Was a candidate for yers at present consider it a serious ques Governor in 1859, but was defeated. In 1862 tion whether the best results are reached by he was again selected Judge of the Supreme a court shut up in a room, confined to Court, but again resigned after two years' printed arguments, absorbed in the science of the law. A review of the many important service.

opinions written by His service in the Judge Ranney would Constitutional Con be interesting, but vention of 1851 as a space will not permit. member of the com One of the greatest mittee on the judicial services rendered by department was one him, was in placing of the most important construction upon of his life's labors. important provisions Space will hardly of the Constitution, permit detailing the which he had done numerous important so much to form. questions in which he took an active interW1ll1am B.Cald well, the first Chief e s t. He favored biennial legislative Justice under the sessions, opposed present Constitution, giving the Governor was born in Butler a qualified veto pow County, Ohio, on the er; was the author twenty-third day of of the clause in the June, 1808. His pa Bill of Rights pro rents emigrated from viding that when pri South Carolina in vate property is con 1805, and settled up demned the compen on a farm in Old But W. W. BOYNTON. sation therefor shall ler County, on which be assessed by a jury. farm the subject of this sketch labored until reaching his twentyHe was the first one to propose the pro vision to secure the rights of creditors of first birthday. He entered Miami Univer corporations by individual liability of stock sity in 1830, and graduated from that in stitution in 1835. He read law under Hon. holders. Judge Ranney strenuously opposed the John Woods of Hamilton, being admitted idea of removing the court of last resort so to practice by the Supreme Court in 1837. far from the people. Ranney was very much He began the practice of his profession in favor of the " stirrup judges," considering in Xenia, Ohio, in 1837. In 1838 he re the circuit system indispensable. He thought moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he formed "mere paper courts would become little a partnership with General Samuel F. Cary. better than mere paper themselves, and He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of might as well be filed away in some secure Hamilton County in 1841, and in 1842