The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-11
JUDGES IN PHILADELPHIA.

There is one aspect of the Philadelphia
election to-day as to which we are
tempted to say word. Every now and then
filings are thrown from that quarter on what
is mildly described as the compatibility, if
not corruption, of our New York judiciary.
1t is, indeed, rather favorite theme. Ger:
tain it is that, after the exhibition now made
in our sister city, it will not lie ia the mouths
of radical Republcanism to reproach us or
anybody. There are, it seems, three judges
of important local courts to be chosen to-
day by the good people of Philadelphia.
Their tenure is ten years, and the jurisdic-
ton varied and important. The Democrats
have nominated gentlemen of the very high
est character, and seem in the selection to have.
felt the serious responsibility resting upon
them, and to have duly considered the great
social interests involved. On the other hand,
as we gather from the press on both sides,
the radical advocacy or apology being very
feeble, the Republicans seem to be try
ing to see how far they can venture in def
ance of public opinion. This is especially
manifest in two of their nominations, the
third being simply Insignificant. For the
Common Pleas-a court, as we understood
it, of most important functioDs-a gentleman
is named only remarkable for his historic
agency, not many years ago, in an effort, by
means of money (avowedly sent for that pur-
pose), to elect well-known quack doctor to
the Senate of the United States, in which
creditable enginery he was thwarted, if we
remember rightly, by the superior skill of an
empiric of different kind, Mr.. Simon
Cameron. Mr.. Paxson, Dr. Jayne's
agent, was an active Nothing-now
an acrid radical. But this is nothing
alongside of another nomination. The Rad
ical candidate for the District Court is per-
son who, being Solicitor of the City of Phila-
delphia--its law adviser Ga post he holds yeti
after involving himself in all manner of
disastrous and discreditable stock specula-
tions, on the 27th of April, 1868 only yester-
day, and the record is printed-took the
benefit of the Federal bankrupt law and was
discharged from multitudinous debts. Among
these debts this precious official Ga tiercely
''loyal" man, be it observed) returned the
arrears of his income tax during the war to
the United States. Among his creditors
he returned his client the city of Phlla-
delphia among his assets exempt" he
claimed ''ornaments of his person" to the
amount of one-third OF the whole sum prayed
for. If the men of character and business
of great city choose to elect such folks to
high judicial stations, it is no immediate con-
Germ of ours. Heretofore the judiciary of
Phi adelphia has stood high in public estima-
tiop We may have looked at it with envy.
But, if the vote of to.day shall be to ele-
vate individuals such as the Republican no.
minees are conceded to be, this high repute,
like many other obsolete illusions, will be
among the things of the past. We have every
reason to hope this will not happen, and that
there will be, on this ticket at least, Demo.
cratic victory, in spite of the Federal mani
pulation of General Grants pet Judge and
the frauds which are almost ostentatiously
planned.