Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-09-26
Elective Judiciary.


The people will be called on at he nexI elec-
lion. 10 decide whether The Constitution oil The
S,aie sha be so amended as TO place the choice
of Judges in the ir own hands, or whether ihelr
appoinrmsn nj shall remain as heretofore with the
governor.
The question is one Of no ordinary impor.
lance, and involves many interests material 10
the welfare of our Commonwealth IL should
be. carefully considered before either side Is
advocated. After due deliberarion we have
concluded n favor OF the amendment. Expe-
rience has laugh, us that there is more danger
in placing power at The discretion Of The rulers
than in committing i. 10 the people; and we
believe the more Offices that are brough ht imme
dialely under The action Of ibe people, The safer
are The interests Of The country.
In other Sra'es where The Judiciary have
been rendered elective. il has been highly aP-
proved, and more than justified he risk oil
Trial The fear Of its, being turned 10 the ad.
yancemenl Of pariizan interests, Is made The
ground of principal objection. But The mat
ter is not mended by leaving I, as IL Is. The
Governor Is always influenced IN his appoint
menls by parry distinctions, or Ihe preferences
Of lavorlIsm, and in that respect a change
would make no difference, or If any, 1t would
be favorable one, as the choice OF The people
would then be consulted, instead of The selec-
lions OF secIionaily interested parties, or The
peculiar wishes OF Ihe Governor. The people
of The different districts have a much better op
portuniry of knowing from personal aCquain-
lance The qualifications Of the men who ought
TO be chosen Judges than The Governor; he
must depend for his information on the repre-
seniatons made by interested parties and rhus
The change would break down these influential
clques, aud give The power where it properly
belongs to The people. Moreover, they are
most Immediately concerned in having good
Judges for their respective districts, and are
therefore more likely TO exercise proper dis
cretlon IN then choice than the Governor who
has no sbch interests al stake.
II he people are competent TO elect the pow
er tha, appoints, they equally competent To
select the aPponee. II they are capable OF
choosing men 10 make laws for them, they are
likely 10 be as wise IN selecting officers 10 exc
cure those laws. II they are suffered he use
OF their discretion in The choice of men holding
much higher responsibilities, We cannot see
" by they should be denied he right of The same
discretion in subordinate cases.
Some years ago Wnen me same cnange was
proposed in The choice of Justices of he Peace, |
we opposed ii for some of the same reasons
urged by the ohjecrors in this case, but upon
nal it Is found 10 work admirably, and the Of |
fcers instead of dereriOrarlng, have so far been |
improve by II, and We venture TO say, if submit
led 10 The people, they would in no instance be
willing TO adopt The old plan.
Ten years ago advocated the election Of
PoslmasIers by The people. We are snll of
he same opinion, aud every years deveIope |
menIs in This department adds strength TO our
belief that a. change Of ibis kind would be great
y beneficial. Our government proposes 10 be |
purely Republican, based upon thoroughly dem
1cra'lc principles, and SO long as the people |
show themselves capable of proper dlscrim-
nalion in The choice Of officers, already sub
ecr to The elective franchise, there is no risk /
n committing other trusts of minor considera
ion TO their hands.
The subject is one Of much moment, and we
lave no doubr, much might be said in The way
,f discussion on both sides. These are our
'iews. If Others differ from US, our columns
Ire al the service, and we shall be glad TO hear
rom them at any time.