Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-07-10
For the State Democrat

MEssRs. EDIroRs l make no pre-
tensions to being politician, nor do care
which Of the two political organizations
that are now fighting for power and plum
der gains the mastery, but l have deep
interest in an able, stable and incorruptible
judiciary. ! am content to leave the selec-
tion of Judges to the lawyers, and have
always felt it to be my duty to support "bar
nominations" was ready this summer to
vote for that man whom the bar, without
distinction of party, should designate as
the best qualified for the bench, and share
a portion of the regret and modification the
public experiences at the unexpected and
unfortunate introduction Of political
schemes and plots into the Judicial arena.
l have sat on juries during Judge Benefits
brief term, more than once, and have
been pleased with his courtesy, his prompt
ness, his impartiality, as much have been
impressed by the quickness of his percep-
tions and the soundness Of his Judgment
The people were not merely satisfied with
lis manner of doing business-they admire
him as q Judge, and believe to be, when on
the bench, emphaticaily the right man in
the right place challenge any man in
this Judicial District to point out one CEN
surable act Judge Bennett has committed
during his official career. Though have
often heard his merits canvasscd-I have
yet to hear the first imputation on his in
tegrity or the first impeachment of his abil-
ity. Why, then, should he not be contin-
ued in the seat he SO ably fills +? Because,
for sooth, few greedy, pipe-laying politi-
clans manage to pack a convention, and de-
feat the popular will! trust, believe
not. It's a we'll known fact that the Town
ship Convention which met on Monday last
did not at all reflect the wishes of the peo-
pie, or Of the Republican party. am
credibly informed that that Convention was
largely attended by Democrats who were
active workers for the ticket which pre-
vailed, and that Democrats claimed the
success of the Dillon delegates as the result
of Democrat influences. That Convention
settled the question of the nomination, and
made Dillon a candidate, but believe it
was unfair, and that Republicans are not
bound by its action. If they were not, then
the nomination on Wednesday last is taint-
ed by the illegal election of the del
egates who made it, and ought not
to be regarded by anybody. But even
though that be not the case, l do not
consider Judge Bennett bound by any
laws Of honor or rnles of etiquette, to forbid
the use of his name as an Independent can
didate. Political etiquette requires, at the
most, that if a man be before convention
he shall abide its decision; but it does not
demand that one who was not balloted for
shall not allow his friends to place him in
the field. Judge Bennett, very fortunately
for the people Of this district, was not before
the late convention, and he is therefore at
liberty to annoh hnce himself as an indepen-
dent candidate. without violating any rule
or breaking faith with his party. l have
said he might announce himself as a candi-
date, but that is unnecessary; he is already
the nominee of the Jackson county bar, and
all that remains for him is, not to decline
that nomination. repeat, Judge Bennett
is now, and for weeks has been candidate
regularly nominated by the bar of jackson
county without distinction Of party, and as
such he will be voted for, and trust elec-
ted.
But there is another and mightier con-
sideration. Judge Bennett was appointed
by Gov. Grimes some months ago, and par
ty usage entities him to q nomination at the
hands of his party, unless he has shown
himself unfit for his Office. No one, be-
lieve, will question that usage. If man
appointed to fill . vacancy is not nominated
by his party, it is always regarded as CEN
sure Of the severest kind; it is telling him
in SO many words-you have neither the
requisite qualifications nor the confidence
of your party. Has Judge Bennett shown
himself unfit These politicians have said
he has Let him appeal from them to the
great jury Of the people, and he need not
fear their verdict He owes it to himself,
his family, and his friends, that he should
60 before the people and let them pass upon
his course. In this way only can he vindi-
cate his honor.
Without regard to conventions, nomins.
tions. or cliques, let Jadge Bennett eontinns
in the Asld. and my word for It, hs viii b
tfiumphsatly sastsiasd By the