Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-01-21
S TAUN ON =:
f. J. ALFRED, EDITOR.
e7sE0sssgay .7sEos'1sisas, San. 81.
Election of Judges.

of Judges, from the Kentucky Woman. We
conceive it to be SO full reply to the objections
urged by the Spectator against the election IF
these officers, that we adopt it as our own. II e
subject was fully discussed in the Kentucky IN
pers prior to the meeting of the Convention !
State, and the result has shown with what sue
cess. We preserved several of the articles at
| the time, intending to use them hen the occa-
sion required:
That there are some difficulties in the election
of Judges, or, rather, objections to that mode, we
are quite free to confess; but that those difficult
ties Or objections amount to anything when plac-
ed alongside of those which are incident to the
present mode, or which would be incident to
their election by the Legislature, or by any other
system of election than by the people, we most
positively deny. In principle, the election Of all
officers by the people is right, and any other
mode of selection, is wrong. In practice the
same thing may be said. If The people select
their own officers they will have every induce
ment to make good selections-to select such
men as are honest, capable, and faithful to the
peoples trusts. If bad selection is made, there
is no one to blame but themselves; and suffer-
ing from any misstep, they will be sure 10 exer
else greater discretion at another time, in MAX
ing their selections. The people always have
good intentions and, if let alone-left uninAu-
enced by designing demagogues Or politicians
they will, in nine cases out of ten, be found in
the right. They may occasionally err, they may
occasionally be deceived; but they will soon dis
cover their error they will undeceive them
selves, and, in the end, they will be found ooeu-
plying the true and the right position. Suppose
at present in this and many other States-how
often is he liable to be imposed upon In Sc
Letting from the great number of applicants
whose claims are generally put I'M he cannot
make choice from his own knowledge. There
are districts in different parts of the State in
i" hich the Governor may, perhaps, not have a
single acquaintance. He has to depend entirely
upon the say so of others. Perhaps few, who
have taken active part in getting up letters Of
recommendation and who may be the least quail
flied ofall others who could be induced to accept.
will be the contestants, and the choice may fall
have preferred to sit and decide upon cases in
which their liberties, their property and their
lives are involved. Besides, now, while politics
are raging so high it is too often the case that
no man is considered as having claims 10 office
who has done no service for his party. The po-
litica partisan--he who has taken active part in
the canvass, who rolls up his sleeves on election
days, treats the boys and shouts most Justify for
the nominee of the party which may be in pow
er-he is the man to receive the appointment
He has done ''some sersice"-if not to his coun-
try, at least to his party, and those having the
power, OF course are expected to reward him by
some small tavor-a iulgeshpor something of
the kind. There are many more objections
which might be introduced, to the present sys-
tenn OF eecting our judges.
AS to the selection Of the judiciary by the Leg
isiature, that is even more Objectionable than
the present mode. Our own thoughts are more
APPLY expressed upon this point, than we could
express them, by the Mobile Register, an able
advocate of the elective system in Alabama
The loose and disgracefal system of electioneer-
ing, says that paper, to which the Legislature,
from the foregoing and other causes, is necessarily
subject, is another great objection to- entrusting
it with the election of judges, Whoever has at
tended a session of the General Assembly, has
witnessed these painful and degrading scenes. A
system of "log-roling," ''jockeyihg," compro-
mlslrg and swapping of votes, prevails at every
session. All elections are necessarily influenced
in this way. The small number of members,
who are only men with like passions and infirm-
tiles as others; enables the anful candidate and
his friends topractice upon hem easily, and to
control, almost imperceptiby, either by false
and delusive Impressions, or by system of mu-
tual assistance and support, sufficient number
OF votes to secure an election. The small num-
Der OF members, thus liable to improper infuen-
ces, and the great majority of whom have no
direct or abiding interest in the office which thew
are to fill, and who are not responsible to the
people OF the circuit or county for which they
may choose Judge, constitutes powerful OBJ
lection to the present system OF election and has
often been subject of complaint Very many
selections have been made by our Legislature in
past years, which were highly obnoxious to CEN
sure incompetent and unworthy men have, by
the force OF family influence, political connex-
ions, personal popularity, great skill at election
eerlne, or similar improper causes, been eleyat
ed tothe judicial ermine, which they disgraced
by their ignorance, or polluted by their unwor-
thlness: Such evils must continue exist so long
as the appointing power remains in the hands
OF body so unsuited for the purpose az the ,ea-
islature.
Again
It's contended by some, thata Judge elected
by the people would be likely to favor the cause
OF an influential elector, when opposed by an
humble individual, stranger, or one not hay-
ing voice likely to be brought to bear upon his
disappointment. Weregard this objection as
unsound. As general proposition, debtors are
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