Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-24

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81 Election Of Judges by theqPeopas. e,se q
At fine request Of friend = mem 81 the Leg
isla.ure-we, publish the following IS tfacts fomss
letter addressed to him, dated Marion, Mississippi,
December 90. 1856; 80 rs t9s:s7.. ~
I. ~ have seen no paper but the Observer, and Of
course very. neagre sketches Of your proceedings,
but notice among them proposal to introduce the
e.ection OF Judges OF the Superior Courts by the
people, and for a term of years. T have no doubt
but the plan has advocates. The Democratic party
Of North Carolina, j think, stands committed for
some years past to s. Free Suffrage" and think it
likely, perhaps advisable. at any rate 2olitic to do
away with the property qualification required in
voting for Senator Inths State we have an elective
judiciary, from the lowest to the highest by the peo
pile, and it is said TO acork soe casual observer
might think SO, but let Of conservative sent-
ments, who has been accustomed to associate ideas
Of justice with the title Of judge, to look the man
the independent expounder of the law, spotess as
ermine, become acquainted with the way in which
they obtain the Office, the system of electioneering
for 1T, the intrsues. stamping and begging for it,
arming about Of ltgants and often criminals, to Sc
their votes exhibitions of pety, and the deep
cxhortatons by some in our churches to sinners to
REFORM the masonic affablity ant, zeal in the
of virtue and morality, in fact all the arts of the
why politician made use of 10 secure the place; and
think but few indeed would favor the system Our
benches filled almost exclusively by known poll
tcians the managers of the party have seen three
preachers up for the office at once, and every
art used to secure votes. The voting masses always
60 for the good of the party, and the management
generally secures the vote for some pet, be their
habits and requirements good or bad Alabama
followed our example in electing her Circuit and
Probate Judges by the people. Those now in office
in Mobile the parents OF X N. ism there; they,
it is sad swOre in nearly every member OF the order
there, and have doubt if the voice Of the people
OF either of these States could be heard, fairly
expressed, it would do away with the system. Our
judges are not independent. 1t is of common &C.
currence to hear disappointed ltgants some row.
dy who has been fined for a fight swearing they
will not for the judge next election. The pre-
sent judge of this district is an intimate friend of
mine, and one have known since the day ofmy set
Element here. He often tells me how he is approach
ed. and though striving for independence, yet often
finds himself in rather inconsistent positions. Bad
the appointment system, the Legislative cleo
tive system for and during good behavior may be,
and cogent many objections to them may be, they
hey cannot be so public
1t is possible that by prohibiting the judges from
holding the Courts in the district which elects then
making them draw by lot for their district after
election, might make them more independent, and
would doubtless be good proviso. look on the
system of the two Caro- mas of selecting their law
ministers the best the United States it is true
they smack of ancient times, perhaps Of arStocracy
but they independent.
There seems to be a mania for railroads and banks
in your State. Some of these days your State may
get like this, (beind with her debts and whenever
question of payment is submitted to vote of the
people, payment will stop, for the will not
vote to be taxed directly. have seen that tried.