Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-02
THE ELECTION OF JUDGES.

lie mind as to when the election OF lnfe-
rior judges shall take place for this and
other counties of the State, under the
new Constitution. The fifth section of
article seventh of that instrument reads
Elections for judicial and other civil
officers shall be held on the first Thurs
day in August, one thousand eight hun
bred and seventy, and forever there
after on the first Thursday in Au-
gust. next preceding the expiration
of their respective terms of office.
This then, would seem to fix the time
definitely on the first Thursday in
August next, and does do so, unless
there is an enabling clause that follows
permitting the holding of these elections
for certain counties on different days
and months. The schedule contains a
section that was thought to look to such
a thing but does not, we fear, reach
the case. 1t is section one which reads
THAT no inconvenience may arise from
change of the Constitution, it is de-
clared that the Governor of the State,
the members of the General Assembly,
and all officers elected at or after
the general election of March, 1870,
shall hold their Offices for the terms pre-
scribed in this Constitution. The time
referred to in this Constitution must be
the first Thursday in August, unless an
other time has been named which we
have been unable to find out. 1t was no
doubt the intention of the.framers Of the
new Constitution to make an exception
to this general law of holding elections,
but whether it has been done is now the
question. We say it was the intention to
do so, and upon the authority of delegates
who we're members of the Convention.
What was intended, and what really was
done. cannot at all times be considered
alike 1t has often been remarked that
"heIl is paved with good intentions, and
we presume it must be so, although we
have no desire to have an ocular demon
stration of the fact. If it is found to be
true, upon further investigation of the
matter, that this election is put off until
August las it appears from the reading
of the Constitution, then no harm is
done except the disappointment of few
anxious aspirants Politics in this
county is quite feverish, anyway, and a
little time is required in which to settle
down, and to be able to view things in
their proper light
Every expedient is being suggested
and recommended by which it is thought
the Radicals may be defeated, and our
men elected to fill the judicial Offices
The old exploded idea of allowing the
members of the bar to select the candi-
dates for Judges has been recommended,
and is urged upon the consideration of
the people. We oppose this on the
ground that lawyers are no more capable
of deciding upon the competency OF
abilities of candidates for these offices
than any other class of the community.
They are not more intelligent or patriotic
than numbers of those who belong to
other professions and trades
The Constitution grants the right TO
the people to elect their own Judges, and
If they are not competent why not pro
claim it? We were Of the opinion that
II would be better for the Legislature to
ell these Offices, but the Constitutional
Convention thought differently, and silce
the masses have been granted this right
we will not favor giving il up 10 any
clique or separate part of the people.
We are free to say that we believe the
body of the people are as capable Of self
government as the lawyers are to govern
them: and as we have not willingly con
scented TO have masters placed over us II
the past, will not now do so. lfthe PEG
pie are not capacitafed to select their owl
candidates, then they should not be per
mitted 10 vote for them afterwards. TIN
government having been placed in thei
hands. let them run it, be the eonse
quences what they may. There can b.
no improvement made or suggested, vi
presume upon the old method Of malsinl
mart, nominations for Judges; if so, w
should be glad of its adoption.
The fact that Judge has been elected
bv q party does not necessitate his de
Gliding the law in the interest of hi
friends and contrary to its meaning
What is required is to have men who re
sheet the Constitution and the law
nassed in pursuance off The Radiea
marty possesses few such, while the Dem
,ocrats are known to believe in it as thu
palladium Of American liberty. justice