, 1870-06-03
TIE JUDICIAL ELECTION.

We publish, this morning, call, very
numerously signed, addressed to Hon.
BENZ. F. Aver, Hon s. B. Gookins, and
Lambert Tree, Esq, soliciting those gentle
men to permit the use Of their names as
candidates for the office of Circuit Judge.
The cal lacks the endorsement of any
political convention, aud the names were
selected without reference to what any con-
vention, should one be called, might see fit
to do in the premises. The ticket thus
presented to the public possesses no
claims for, support other than may
be found IN the merita Of the
gentlemen named as lawyers and
as citizens Whether the endorsement of
party convention could confer any oddi-
honai sanction upon the candidates named
for Judicial positions, 50 far az their merits
as 1awyers md citizens are concerned, is,
to say the least, doubtful, and by many it is
thought that such nominations, procured
in the manner IN which they most COM
monty are, is pretty strong proof Of the
undtness Of the nominees for judges, from
whom the most rigid impartiality, and the
most perfect freedom from bins OF outside
influence Of any character, ise1pected.
But few if any of the Chicago bar have
achieved among their professional brethren
more enviable reputation than Nj. B. F,
Aver. The lawyers know him, and the
public know him A lawyer OF large e1-
perisnce, and distinguished ability man
of the strictest probity' and uprightness of
character, his name challenges respect ev-
erywhere, and we but express an opinion
universally entertained that he would honor
and adorn any judicial position to which
he might be called
Judge GooEns is equally well and favor
ably known For many years he Was one
of the Judges OF The Supreme Court of the
State Of Indiana As a jurist he has already
achieved high distinction. For many
years resident Of Chicago, actively en-
gaged IN the practice Of the law, he has
won the sincere regard and the high esteem
of his professional brethren. OF his ability
as laHyer, it is not necessary for rs to
speak. His published opinions while upon
the Supreme Bench Of Indiana, and his
practice mt this bar, have settled TINT ques-
hon beyond cav1. As q man and citi-
zen he is beyond reproach- Prominently
identified with benevolent and religious en-
tesprises, the public know him to be an up
right man and Christian gentleman.
Nh. Tree is younger man, but not
less favorably known, than either Mr.:
Aver or Judge Gookins. Many years
resident OF this city, be is well known to
the public as lawyer and as q man- Mr.
Tree possesses fine professional and
scholarly attainments, good legal mind,
we'll balanced judgment, and will make an
able Judge. He is courteous gentleman,
and his personal reputation entirely qnas-
sailable.
the gentlemen named in the cali, We do
not consider the manner in which
their names are brought before the public
as consideration which ought to be
decisive upon the question whether they
shall receive the public support 4 much
more important consideration is, Are they
suitable men for these positions :? This
seems 10 be the opinion Of many Of our
leading men of both political parties, whose
names are appended to the call We desire
agood judiciary. We may struggle through
with weak and corrupt officials in other
departments Of the government We can
not long survive either feeble or corrupt
Judges We do not believe that
party conventions furnish the best
means of securing such q judiciary
rs every interest, public and
private, imperatively demands that we
should have. The submission of such
questions to party conventions is of recent
origin, and, The longer it has been tried,
the worse it has worked; and every sue
cessive experiment has only served to fur
nish fresh proofs Of the grave dangers
which attend that method Of selecting
Judges The system has been more thor
onghtly carried ont in the city of New
York than anywhere else, md nowhere
else are Judges 50 feeble, SO venal, aud
SO corrupt The system began with the
weak Judges put upon the bench in that
city and State-it blossomed in the shame
less eouuptions Of Barnard and Cardozo.
The fruits which it has already brought
forth are the robberies of railroad oorpora-
tious, the destruction of public confidence
in the administration OF law; the fruits
which il promises to bring forth are vigi-
lance committees, lynch Inv, and anarchy.
There will, perhaps, be some effort made
To connect the presentation of these names
.rith the 's Citizens ticket" which WAS in
fhe field last fall This would probably
:~r,.,,arnE1e 0hiectiOu IN the