Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-27

principles are, and most certainly no
person should ever be able to discover
what they are, from any thing he does
officially. A party cannot gain any
thing by electing judge; itpropagates
no political principles; it gives no po-
litical power; and it effects nothing
politically in any manner
18th. The more numerous any body
of men are, the less responsibility there
is upon the individuals composing ii;
and political conventions, whose mem
bers, who are elected for day, and
for a particular purpose. without any
of the forms of law, and frequently
with objects aside from the main
one. are certainly not the most respon-
sible bodies ia the world. A variety
of considerations operate upon the
minds OF the members Of such conven-
tons, and men are frequently nomina-
ted and elected to Office, who, without
nomination, could not have received
one-sixth of the votes of the people. -
But the only consideration which
should operate upon our minds in de-
Gliding this question is, what method
will secure the best Judges. On the
other hand, if the selection is made by
appointment, the sole responsibility
will rest upon the Governor; his for
tune and reputation will depend upon
the proper discharge of that duty, and
his choice will be approved by two
thirds or three-fourths, if you please.
of the Senate, the highest body in the
State.
9Th. If you elect your Judges at the
general election, the choice will prob
ably be decided upon political consid-
erations. Now just so far as these
consideration have any weight, they
will do mischief. Therefore, to avoid
this evil, the convention provided that
There should be special election held
for Judges. This may lessen the evil
somewhat, but it will still exist in great
force, besides being subject to another
great objection. How many men will
there be in the community, who, mere
ly for the purpose of having good
Judge, will give their time and money
to attend as delegates first TO the coun-
ty and then to the district convention?
Will not an active, sagacious man, who
is aspiring TO the office, be able 10 Sc
cure the election of delegates in many
places who will favor his views? Po-
Iitical considerations will affect the
nominations, where the great evil is to
be found. as much in the special as in
the general election. IF you eject the
Judges by general ticket throughout
the Territory, the nomination of the
dominant party will be equivalent to
an election. If you elect in single
districts. you offer greater opportuni-
Ties for intrigue, and you have not the
talent of the whole State to select
from.
9th. But the effect of elections upon
the Judge himself, however good he
may be at first, will be most deplora-
BILE. shall dwell very briefly upon
this point, for it has already been most
felicitously demonstrated, by my col
league, Mr.. Ryan, in speech which
has been published, and to which |
would refer these who are DESTROYS of
fully understanding this subject. Pol
Iiticians are governed very much by
motives of expediency and policy, and
with propriety, too, in many cases,
and continually having reference to
public opinion, as they ought to; but it
is severe ordeal for stability and in
tegrity, and few pass through it unsoil-
ed Now this would be the worst fea-
ture in the character of judge, and
elections and short terms will inevita-
by produce it. O, who can bear the
thought of having man in that sacred
Office, who shall look over case, and
under it. and both sides and all around
it, TO see what is polite or popular,and
put law and Justice aside? Suppose a
new election is approaching, and the
most influential politician in his dis
trict has an important suit against
some humble citizen, in which his
feelings are deeply enlisted. would not
the judge, having his feelings and
pride enlisted in n reelection, think
ing that his reputation and the for
tune of himself and family were at
stake upon it, and knowing that there
are hundreds of ways in which he can
favor one party or the other, without
its being observed, except to the prac-
tised eye. would he not then, say.
swerve from the path of duty? Would
not the same influence be necessarily
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