The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-05-17
The Municipal JudgeshiP.

As the time f0r the election ""NoS
of the Municipal Court draws near the,
question, whom shall we elect, occupies
a large share of public attention asa
general proposition, we are opposed to an!
elective judiciary, at least in so far as It
subjects the Judge to partisan influences
and laws before him the temptation 10
make his judicial decisions subserve MS
personal interests. The man who sits TO
administer Justice to his fellow men
should be as far as possible free from the
prejudice which dwells in the mind OF
the partisan, and, as far as is consistent
with safety. independent of the tickle
will of popular majorities. 1t is not has
paramount duty to so mold his ludg-
menis as to secure the appreciation OF
men and obtain for himself a continuance
in office, but it is his duty to do justly,
without fear or favor, no matter what
consequences may ensue
In this country, however. the laws
have been brought to such perfection
that very little remains to be decided
simply by the discretion of the Judge
Almost every case that can possibly arise
has been provided for by law, n the
.Jndoe renders his decisions, not simply
rs NAV seem best in his own eyes, but IN
accordance with the laws prescribed tor
the government of the case. 1t is neees-
sary, therefore, that he be thoroughly
yer,ed in the legislative enactments
which have been made for the govern
ment of the people. and be possessed OF
skill in interpreting their true intent
and meaning. He should be diligent III
the performance of his duties and care
ful hat the cause of good order and the
best interests of the people oven whom
he is chosen to preside. he faithfully pre-
served.
The liberal salary provided for BY the
CITY Council for the Judge OF the Mu-
nieipal Court, aud the honorable charac-
TT of the Office, have had the effect OF
bringing forward several applicants FOR
,he position. Between these the people
are called upon to decide, and should be
Influenced only by the consideration OF
moral, mental and legal fitness for me
Office. The question of political opinions
should not enter into OH minds. Who
is The best man for the place! Who has
the best knowledge of law, and will deal
Justly between all classes OF our citizens?
Ia our own opinion and speaking tol
ourselves alone, of those gentlemen who
dates for the Jndgeship, Mr.. Coon seems
most competent and best fitted,
in every respect, for the position.
Onr opinion may not he shared
bv others. hut we have good rea-'
son 10 believe that those who have enjoy
ed a longer acquaintance with Mr. COOP,
and also a better acquaintance with his
competitors than we, are ot the same
opinion He is an able lawyer, an old
practitioner at the bar of this county,
and will bring to his new position a
knowledge of the law based upon actual
experience and observation in the courts.
Ills personal integrity is above %reproach,
and we believe, in all candor, that he IS
less liable to the charge of being intiu-
enccd by political prejudice than any
.,.l:lN.o rrhO-a ,ap,o HOG gI-pf
h,rn announced. Like every other in
tcIiigcnt man, he entertains opinions con
corning the political questionsof the day
hat they are not such as would intrnde
themselves upon the judicial bench, or
interfere in the slightest degree to color
the case of a political friend or foe.
But a few days now remain before the
election, and the work done on that day
cannot easily he undome during the ensn-
ing four wears. This election, being the
first under the law, is the most important
one of this kind that can take place
The whole success of the Municipal
Court and the character of its future de
cisions depend upon its being started
right and such precedents established as
will stand the test of time. Unusual
care should he taken in the selection of
the first Judge. and no man who has the
interests of the city al heart will suffer
the trivial and transitory qualification
OF a party triumph to entail upon the city
during the next four years the misfor-
time and disgrace of an incompetent
Judge. By all means, let rs have the
best man.
The PRESIDENT AND TIE CoLoRED