Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-05-29


prevails as II there was actually an election.
One side must Of course be triumphant.
The successful Judge comes upon the
bench, and there, for the purpose of con-
venient reference, lie has the names signed
10 the opposing petitions he can't help
knowing who were his friends, and who
his opponents. .
A case was put by yourself, believe,
sir, lin the able and eloquen, speech you
delivered, when this bill was in committee
OF the whole, Few days since,l in which,
for the purpose of showing the dangers to
be apprehended from the elective system.
you supposed wealthy man possessing
influence in the community, TO be opposed
in suit to poor man. and asked whether
il was rot likely the Judge might be iDhu-
enced il the trial. BY desire to secure
the influence and supper, of the wealthy
suitor, turning a deaf ear to the merits Of
the causef
SIR, do not believe such would be the
case. The Judge would see-aven if he
could he base enough 10 pu. self in the
scale with honor and duty. that he could
10, escape the Argus eye Of the communi-
ty, always sharp enough, but doubly so in
cases calculated to excite suspicion. He
would see that his only safety would be in
firmly and honestly administering justice,
" wi;hou. fear, favor or affection" Even
if he Eel, disposed to coant the chances, and
10 turn ine trial of cause into a scramble
for votes, he could not be 50 blind as not to
see that he poor mus. be largely in the
majority in every district, and that they
would make common cause against him.
This reflection would OF itself he sufficient
TO restrain any improper course. and keep
the fountains Of Justice pure. TIE Judge
would know, too, tia, he was responsible
alone TO those who expected him 10 do his
duty, regardless of conseduences, and thai
he could only SECURE their appreciation b.
adopting such "a course Of conduct; and
this, sir, would naturally invest him with
Independence OF thought and action. and he
would dare 10 decide according TO his own
convictions Of right, whether that decision
would be favorable 10 the rich and powerful,
or 10 The poor and humble. The people.
true 10 the immu,able standard OF immortal
truth, which the Creator has implanted in
the breasts CT all, scoif at ''every form OF
tyranny over the mind Of man. and. look
ing only 10 the principle Of right and justice
involved, neither see nor regard the wealth
or poverty OF the parties concerned.
pledged but to truth, to liberty, and law.
No favor sways them, and no fears can ave."
Bat how, sir, would the matter stand if,
under the present system Of appointments,
a case should come on TO be tried between
an influential friend of the Judge, TO whose
influence with the Governor he alone,
perhaps. owed his appointment, and an
opponent who had been active and Jealous
in urging the claims Of rival! Would
there not, sir, be misgivings' Would
there not te reasonable cause 10 suspec:
that gratitude, The nob.est impulse of the
heart, would excite the sympathies. bias
the judgment, and control the action Of the
Jcga! II he were honest, as ne should
be, there would be no danger but you
&c lead him into temptation y you make
him, under re present system, responsible
only to the Executive, and dependen, only
upon the Governors political supporters.
Take another case. Suppose vacancy
TO have occurred upon the bench, which.
IS the Constitution now stands, is to be
filled by the Governor. An Important
cause is pending in the district between a
confidential friend and adviser of the Ex-
ecutive-" one of the powers behind the
throne. that is oitentimes greater than the
throne itself'-and personal and political
opponent.
Anapplican; for Jud seship discovers.or
is informed that the appointment, i. a, the
Disposal CT the influential party 70 ibis suit;
tha, his influence with the Gover1cr can
procure for him commission, and that
he can no; be appointed without it. Place
an applican, in such situation, say. with
the fact apparent 10 him that he will only
be responsible 10 the Governor,or rather TO
The Governors friend. for a correct dis
charge OF his duties, and, sir, do you moi
surround him with fearful inducements to
regard that mans case with favorable
eye?
The objections urged against the pr;nci-
pie OF rotation in the Office OF Chief Justice
o. the Supreme Court. have already been
sufficiently answered. can see no diff.
culties can have no doubts upon the
subject, sir. Ifycu but give the people a
righ, to cleo, their own Judges, you will
have no weak men" upon the bench.
They will select no man who will no, be
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