New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-12
Correspondence.

In another place will be found a correspondence
between the Hon. j. N. Lea, Associate Justice OF the
Supreme Court for the Second District, and large
number of members of the bar and other respectable
and influential citizens. The letter to the judge the
signatures appended thereto, and bis reply, will ar
rest, deseryedly, very general attention.
The signers of the letter, without distinction of
PAL ~ respectfully ask leave to submit your (Judge
Leas) name for reelection to the voters of the Sec
ond Judicial District They then proceed to com
pment the distinguished jurst in strong and appro
pirate terrs and conclude: The undersigned feel
they are performing public duty in inviting you to
become again a candidate, and in rendering you
their cordial support
Judge Lea's response to this communication, so
attering in itself and emanating from so respectable
source is in excellent taste. He sets forth that it
had been his wish and intention" to become can
didate for reelection and that had he been permit
ted to designate form of nomination the one
chosen by the writers of the letter would have been
most acceptable to him. He then accepts with many
thanks, "a nomination coming from body of cit
zens respectable alike in numbers and influence"
The second paragraph of the Judges letter is
worthy especial consideration He says that the invi
tation extended to him to become candidate '' with
out distinction of party, is fully warranted by re-
Without pausing to analyze the political complexion
of the names attached to the letter. will quote in
full the conclusion " trust this is the Indication of
wish not only on your part, but that the COM
munty in general, to the judicial department
of the government as far as possible beyond the nu
! ence of party excitement" -eu. '" T
From this it is plainly inferable that Judge Lea is
opposed to party nominations for judicial offices. If
he can only impress this principle upon the Demo-
cratic paiiy throughout the State of which he has
ever been respectable and influential member, he
will do much towards relieving the elective judiciary
system from the odium into which it is rapidly fall
4 ing, besides accomplishing a great deal Of public
good In almost all Of the country districts the lead
ers of the political organization with which the Judge
is connected are preparing to make nominations on
purely party basis If he can stop this and thereby
prevent the election of judicial functionares simply
because they are strong party men, and not because
they are capable, honest and worthy, he VII de
serve to be reelected as long as his mind ipcnes hin
to remain on the bench
The question Of party nominations for judge:
came up for discussion in this city about four years
since few months previous to the election Of judges
under the new constitution. The Wing press and thu
Wing party earnestly protested against political nomi
nations. 1t was said, and reiterated times nnumera
bic, that the people did not want partisan judges
The strongest sort OF arguments were brought for
ward in support of the proposition, but all wthou
4 avail The Wing party declined nominating Thu
Democratic party did nominate in regular caucus ant
elected the whole of their six District Judges Judg
Lea among the number. And the Democratic leader
throughout the State now engaged in taking mea
sures that will secure the election of their avore
to seats upon the bench.
r,. - Al. 1.i,ar