The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-12
Our Nominees for Judges of the Dis
triCt Court.


term Of experience proven himself honest be-
yond reproach and able beyond question, It is
a.duty which the community owes not only to
him, but also to itself, that he should be re-
tanned in that position which he has proven
himself so well qualified to fill; and when
a.member Of the Bar Is called to a seat on the
Bench, and has displayed eminently the quail
ties that are requisite as jurist, it is the duty
OF our citizens to keep him in that position for
| which he has attested his fitness. The Office
OF Judge is the most responsible Of any within
the gift Of the people of the United States. 1t
is only through our courts of justice thai
we see the existence Of governing power.
Were it not for these tribunals, we would
not be aware Of any authority in this nation
The law is felt only within the court rooms
With these officers rest the safety of property;
the preservation of the fair fame of the citi-
zen, yes, even his very life, is within their
control. 1t is, therefore, matter of the most
vital moment and Importance, which
rises above all partisan considerations,
to have judiciary pure and spotless, we'll
trained to the task which it is their duty to
perform, and thoroughly able as lawyers.
That the people recognize these facts was
proven last year by the election of Judge
Sharswood and Judge Ludlow by the votes of
members Of the Republican party. Both of
these officers had proven their ability
and experience as judges, aud,
throwing aside all considerations of
party, the people went 80 far as to retain
them by sacrificing all partisan considerations.
ha mo moi hot tha of
these gentlemen last year are operating to-day
to cause the reelection of the Hon. J. I. Clark
Hare as President Judge of the District Court
and the Hon. M. Russell Thayer as Associate
Judge.
Judge Hare has proved his purity to be
beyond all question by the most bitter of his
personal or political foes. There has never
been breath of suspicion against him as an
oficer'of the highest and most unimpeachable
integrity. At the same time, his de-
cisons from that Bench, his valuable
editions of standard legal works, and
the high value set upon his
opinions by both his brethren of the Bench
and Bar, ha We shown his eminent mental oapa-
bilities to discharge all the important RESPONSE
bilities of his high Office. Would it not then
be an error--would it not almost be crime
for the people to heedlessly and causslessly
remove this tried and faithful public servant,
| and put in his place a gentleman who,
whatever may be his legal attainments, has
never proved anything but bitter partisan
sour and irasoible debater and a willing
sacrifcsr of the law to the interests of his
clients The important issues which coms
before the District Court, the vast power it
wields over the property, over the commercial
rights, and over the mercantile dealings of this
community, demand the retention of Judge
Hare in the position he fills.
In regard to Judge Thayer-we can speak
with an assurance which even the Democratic
members of the Bar will not pretend to gain
say-that during the year which he has sat
upon the Bench he has displayed a legal
acumen second to none, and which has, be-
yond all question, proved that his proper
place is the one he now occupies. He
has acted not only with discretion, with firm
ness, with courtesy, but also with an ability
which, as a jurist of his short standing
on the Bench, is are and most sur
prising. He was sacrificed last
year 10 the very prlnclpio WHICH now CALLS lor
his re. election. 1t was on account of no de-
merit which he possesses, but because of the
superior claims of Judge Ludlow, based merely
on the fact that he was already an occupant
of the Bench. We now call upon those
lawyers of the opposite party who last
year plead SO earnestly with us to vote
for Judge Ludlow to- be true to their own
principles, as then avowed, and support the re-
election of Judge Thayer. 1t will be worse
then inconsistency, it will be the grossest
deceit, for those men, after having argued and
pledged themselves in favor of the reten-
tion of an able and honest Judge, without
regard to his politics, to now oppose the re-
election of our nominee for Associate Judge.
They cannot reconcile it either with their
feelings as men Of honor or lawyers OF COM
mon sense, and its effect will be most dis
astrous to their standing as members of their
profession.
We hope, therefore, that both the Bar and
the vast body Of conservative citizens, who
recognize the importance of having a judi
} ciary above reproach, will break loose from
the bonds of party discipline, and act as be-
comes citizens of principle and carers for the
public welfare. Let them vote, If they will
the remaining portion of their partisan ticket
but let them, in the case of the judges of the
District Court, sink partisanship, rise above
! personal feeling, and remember that the
3 safety Of their property and a proper mainte