The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-13
THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY.

THR New York Tribune calls attention cdito-
rally to the fact that the canvassng for the new
positions on the bench of the United States
Courts has been inaugurated already, and enters
its protest against the consideration of the claims
of any man who commences ut this early day to
seek these offices. 1t will be remembered that
the act passed by Congress and approved by the
President confers upon the Justices Of the Su-
preme Court the privilege of retiring upon full
pay, attaining the age of seventy years.
Two members of the court fall within this pro-
vision, and II Is regarded certain that one Of
them at least will avail himself Of the opportu-
nifty to seek repose In the closing days of his lfe
This will create vacancy on the Supreme
Bench, and as the act OF Congress also provides
for the appointment of an additional Justice,
President Grant will find at his disposal at least
two Of the highest judicial positions in the coun-
try. In addition TO these, the newly-created
circuit judgeships ore to be filed, and they are
scarcely less important, and should be rendered
TO men Of the most unimpeachable integrity and
the most varied and thorough legal culture. OF
late years these important considerations have
not entirely guided our Presidents IN selecting
the men who are to give weight and dignity to
the jurisprudence of the country. The people
win, therefore, look with great interest to the
course Of the new President in the matter and
they will expect him to ignore the claims Of any
and every ambitious politician who has no higher
sense of the qualifications required of II jurist
than TO resort to the usual dsreputable method
OF securing an office.
IL any position In the country should seek
man who is thoroughly qualified for the dis
charge Of its duties, IL certainly IL that of Judge
OF one of our highest Federal courts. The
Jurisprudence of many of the States has been
sunk to the very lowest standard by the system
OF an elective Judiciary, whereby men who are
totally untitled for any Office OF responsibility have
been unabled 70 ascend the bench only To reflect
dbcrcdt upon IL 10 the full measure OF their par
tDan stupidity. The Federal Government has
Wisely adhered 10 the old System of appointment
| py INC Executive, with u continuance in Office
uerlhR hic or good behavior. But even this safe
Buuo may pe rendered nugatory by the machi-
HAs'n' vi 'he professional politicians The
| ludRes who are 10 receive their com
| missions from President Grant will necossor,I,,
from the tenure Of their onlces, remain unon The
pehch III moet cases for years after our present
Nbiei magistrate has retired from his exalted
| PooHioh' III any OF these should provo IN no
notoriousiy untitled for the impartial and Ipfni-
hgent discharge OF Judicial duties thew will w.
come standing reproaches of the aiministra,,o,
by whom they we're clothed with the ermino
and unless they should commit some grossly
overt act, the ayowed purpose OF President
Grant 70 make second trial whenever he has
been led into error In appointing persons 20
Office cannot be carried into effect. Every con-
sideration, therefore, demands that only the
purest and ablest men In the country should be
entrusted with judicial functions. As such men
seldom or never seek office, II will be entirely
safe for the President TO put summary quietus
upon the claims of every applicant who comes TO
ths White House in search ot u judgeship.