The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-09-28
The Judgeship.

We learn that Hon. Thomas NJ. Cooley Of
Ann Arbor, has been nominated by the Re
publican State Central Committee, tor cleo /
ton to the bench Of the Supreme Court, IN
the place OF Hon. Randolph Manning de-
ceased. While Ii is not expected that i'm
portant nominations will often be made by
this Committee, il is equally true that it is
one important design in having such
Committee, to make nominations when cir
cumstances clearly justify such action.
Suppose, for instance, candidate Tor
Governor dies or declines a week before
election. 1t would be impossible TO call
state Convention TO make nomination
The only resource would be to the State
Committee, appointed by delegated State
Convention, and designed to be the Execu-
tive officers Of the party appointing them.
There is no question, therefore, that the
Committee may, in the exercise Of sound
Judgment, in certain cases, make nomi-
nation instead Of calling Convention
We are well satisfied that in the present
case, the Committee are fully warranted in
presenting a candidate for the Judgeship,
for the support Of the friends Of the Union.
II they had called State Convention, it
would have been attended by delegates
mainly only in the vicinity OF the meetings,
and by men who had some axe to grind;
and the probability Of judicious nomina-
ton would have been far less, than If made
by a committee Of eight men representing
every part Of the State, elected without ref
erence to such a nomination, and therefore
presumed to act disinterestedly.
But we are 10 consider this fact, in con-
nection with the brief time before the cleo
ton. Ordinarily, a nomination two or
three weeks before election would answer;
| out 10 give our heroes IN the DaUIIe HeIu j
chance to vote, there must be more time
more than would be well had by waiting
the necessary delay Of delegated Conven-
ton.
Believing therefore, that the Committee
have acted wisely in making nomination,
let US see whether they have made a wise
nomination. While there are several men
in the State who would do honor to the
bench, we doubt whether any one could
bring TO his duties a clearer head than Mr..
Cooley. We have known him intimately
since he commenced the study Of the law,
about twenty years ago; and We have not
| forgotten the prediction we heard made du-
ring his studies by leading lawyers, that
he would some day stand among the fore
most at the bar. For clOseness OF applica-
ton he has no superior This, with re-
tentive and ready memory, and a well bal
anced mind, has fulfilled the prophecy
Upon the jurisprudence of the State he has
already made his Influence felt His first
public act was the compilation Of the law
in 1857; a work which ought to have taken
years, and yet he was required to do it in q
few months, and all men agreed it was done
with great ability. The successful accom-
plishment of this difficult task we suppose
was the recommendation upon which he
was elected Reporter of the Supreme Court
/ by the Judges thereOf-which Office be con
tinues TO hold. In this, as in all other po-
| sitiOns, he manifested such ability, that, OF
the organization of the Law Department il
the University, the public voice generally
at once pointed him out as one Of the Pro
fessors. That be will fully sustain the rep
utation he has already won as a jurist, an(
do honor to the place so honored by the la
mented Manning, We entertain not doubt