The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1847-02-11
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY II, 1917.
THE SUPREME BENCH.

on Saturday, DIST uit., Two days aftes the ad-
journment Of the Legislature, appointed by
Governor Whiicomb, to fill the vacancy on
the Supreme Bench, until the next session
of the General Assembly.
II will be recollected that this gentleman's
name has been before the Senate no less
than three times for confirmation TO that place,
and has been as often rejected; and it will
meet with no better success next winter.
"There cannot be found Senate" says the
State Journal, "willing to advise and con-
sent TO the elevation OF one so VIGOROUSLY
incompetent 10 position of SO much impor-
lance to the welfare of the people,"
During the canvass Of last summer, Gov.
Whitcomb assured the people in his election
eering speeches, that he he'd appointed
Judges Perkins and Dewey as compromise
between the parties, and that their names
would be submitted 10 the last Legislature for
confirmation. When he gave that assurance
he purposed lis violation. No man who
knows the exteut of his dup!icIiy will doubl
it--no one who reads the following statement
of facts by The editor Of the Stale Journal,
and Mr.. Dewey's letter appended, can doubt
it. The Journal says:
The most ullra partisan can find no apollo
gy for the course pursued by Gov. WHIrCoMB
in relation 10 the Supreme Bench. His eve.
Ty step has been marked by motives which
never influence the actions of one desIrous
alone of promoting the public good. Ii has
been prompted, as all his public actions have
ever been, by cold-hedrted sel6shness. He
wished in the first place TO use the power &C.
cidenlly placed in his hand, 10 secure a seat
in the United States Senate; and failing in
that, to aid in his reelection to the place he
now occupies.
Two years ago, why did he send TO the Sc.
nate the names OF certain Democrats, in diff
feren portions of The Stale, whom he knew
world be rejected? lie supposed that then
would regard il as highly complimentary, and
that their gratitude would be evinced by a
supporr Of him for the U. S. Senate.
If DESTROYS alone of placing Democrats
on the bench why did he give Judges DEWEY
and SULLIVAN pro tenn appointments? He
wished 10 keep The vacancies open for The
purpose OF bdrtering them off for votes for
the u. S. Senate. Thus il was that no name
was submitted to the Senate until after the
election of an U. S. Senator. After that
event and towards the close of the session.
the names of Messrs. PERKINS aud SMITH
were sent TO the Senate aud rejected. Fail
ing in his maneuverng 10 secure a seat in
the United States Senate, The immediately
get about procuring bis nomination for re,
election. 1t would not do, then, 10 place two
Democrats on the bench by pro tenn ppoint-
ments land in order 10 keep up The sembance
of doing justice towards his political oppon-
enis,he appointed Judges DEWEY and PER
KINs.
In his electioneering speeches, throughout
the State, he told the people that he had com
pomised the matter by filling the vacancies
with Wing and Democrat This was in
tended TO soolhe the feelings of wings, and lt
satisfy the thousand ofhis own party who de
sired Judge Dewey's retention on The
bench.
Not having made enough out OF the ap
pointing puwer, he left the question open
until The close of the recent Session of the
Legislature. At Its commencement, and PIE
vious TO The election of state officers
the appointment was held up in the hope Of
procuring Wing votes for The late incumbenls
of Offices. That was not all. A locotoco
candidate for reelection TO judgesiip insul
ted Wing members of the Legislature by a
proposal 10 secure The nomination of Judge
Dewey in consideration of their votes foI
himself? He no doubt, acted under WHIr
COMBS directions. OF course he and IN.
Infamous proposition, were lreated with the
contempt they so richly merriIed.
A lew pays previous 10 the adlourmen
the same one Thomas l.. SMITH, (~ho haC
pracficed medicine, in Pennsylvania, viii
indifferent success, until his migration TO THU
Stale several years ago. was sent TO the Sen
ate Tor continuation. BY The aid of two
Democratic Senators, that name vas promp
lily rejected. The day before the adjourn
ment, aud when there were no quorum q
Senator'S, present, that name was again
sent TO the Senate! The adjournment tool
place and pro TEN appointment was given b,
Gov. WHrrCoMB 10 this same Doctor SMITH
These facts, OF themselves, ought to b.
enough TO coasign TO nfamy the man VIII,
could thus prostitute SO exalted station a
that Of The executive chair Of The State but
aside from all This, in no! submitting the uam,
ofJudge DEWEY TO the Senate, at It's lat
session Gov WHITCoMB violated his wor.
solemnly plighted 10 Judge Dew EY ,as will b.
seen by reference TO the communication O
that gentleman in to-day's paper.
HencetoTward. no station TO which Gov
WHTIcoMB can attain will be high enough
TO command for him the respect OF the PEG