The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-13
Our JudicinI system.

The editorial leader in Harper's Magazine
fer November, takes strong grounds against
the entire Judicial system Of New York, viii h
was generally adopted by the Ohio Coustitu
tonsl Convention. We were one of those
who never approved of the present Judicial
system Of this State. The evils resulting from
it are manifold and grievous
In the first place, party politics finds its
level at such low poiot in morals, intellect,
and learning, that the really worthy will sell
dom present themselves, or permit their friends
to present them, before nominating convtn.
ton. In order to secure the nomination, the
candidate must be known to possess all the
requisite qualities for legitimate politician.
He must ever stand ready to grant papers -
to those who will vote with the party, wheth-
er they are entitled to receive them or not =
he must favor his own party members Of the
bar and also his own party litigants. In
brief, he must be modern politician Of the
unscrupulous school. capable of resortng to
all sorts Of tr ckery 10 secure the nomination,
and after that, he is expected to follow up the
same practice and after elected, he must not
only work for his own future promotion, but
he must have friends to reward and enemies
to punish.
In che neat place, our Judges are elected
for such short period, that the office is gem
orally applied as balm to heads made sore by
butting for higher honors. 1t is accepted by
the politician upon the principle that half a
loaf is better than none, and because il will
afford time and facilities for preparing his
"ropes for future operations.
Another serious objection to the present
system is inadequate salaries. 1t requires
extra pay to secure extra brains. No lawyer,
capable of honoring the bench, but could
command better pay at ne bar. The honor
attached to a judicial office is measured by
the respect which it commands from the pub
Ii. When the place is secured through dis
honorable, and frequently illegal means, who
will honor or respect the occupant?
Another reason is, that such officers, when
their position can no longer aid their aspira-
tons, cease to interest themselves in dischar-
ging its duties. The people of this county
need not go without their own limits for proof
upon this point The little county Of Wood
has recently been thrown iato useless ex
pense OF not less than FIVE hundred dollars,
to say nothing Of the loss to parties interested,
by failure Of our political Judge 10 attend
10 his official duties. The same judicial func-
tionary neglected to attend with judy Bra-
kerhoof upon seven appointments for District
Courts, and thus vast amount Of business
was neglected, to the great loss of The people
who are taxed 10 pay their officers and all
Just to give this judicial aspirant an opportu,
nifty to stump his district for Congress. All
Judges, it is true, are not thus reckless yet
lie tendency of the present s. stem is to that
p.al. and the bar, the jury and the people
ere lvs'ng their respect for judges sni their
opinions. ... .....
The most praclic bic remedy for these diff.
tculties is perhaps to be found in long ger terms
If Office and increased salaries.