New-York tribune., 1873-07-29
ORIGIN OF TIE FARMERS MoVEMENE

The letter of our special correspondent III
Bureau County, Illinois, will. be found 10 COLI
tain the history In brief of the Farmers no'c-
ment in favor of the election OF Juuge CrNs
in the recent judicial contest IN that Sta'e'
The origin of the movement against Juugo
Lawrence and the nomination OF Judge orag
oo ON onnosinp candidate have never Deen
thorouchIv understood at the East ana thc
,,,otiyos NJ tbo Farmers have in consequence
hoop somewhat misapprehended. The ac-
count of il given by our correspond
opt this morning is derived from sources
friordlv To the Farmers; mostly, IN
deed from their own leading men, but the
main facts are so much matters OF history
that it would hardly pay, even IL there was
the disposition, to misrepresent them. Inc De-
lief, here at the East has been general that
the nomination of Judge Craig was induced
by spiteful and angry resentment at the decls-
ion of the Supreme Court prOnouncing the
pro rata freight law unconstitutional; that the
Farmers, disappointed in the judgment OF the
court, deliberately set about the reformation
of the bench, beginning with the Cmel
Justice. 1t may be as the Farm
ers represent that the agents of the rail-
road companies have industriously circulated
such reports as would create that impress
sion. but that in fact there is 10 founda-
ton for them. We shall be very glad to be-
lieve that the movement was not based on
prejudice and passion in any such degreej for
the selection of judicial officers ought to be
the furthest removed from any such influence.
The choice of judges, like the judicial tunc-
ton itself, calls for the exercise OF the
soundest discretion and the most impair
tial and unprejudced Judgment. Doubtless
Mr.. BRYANT the very intelligent leader IN the
movement, with whom our correspondent con-
yersed. did consider the matter from this high
point of view. But he will hardly deny that
much of the opposition to Judge Lawrence
was hot and hasty, excited by his decision
against the Farmers, while the advocacy OF
Judge Craig was due i'll large measure to the
curTent belef-whether well founded or not
that he was in some way committed
TO the Farmers side of the pro rata
freight question. And therein, we say, lies the
mischief of electing judges by the people.
Upon such a question as this now aStatlng
the West the people are liable to cOnstruc
and interpret the law according to their own
| notions and prejudices, and elect judges
merely to register their decisions. That
would be state Of things in which law
would have neither permanence nor certainty,
courts would be mockery, and judges mere
lay figures.
The statement made to our correspondent
that Judge Craig is under 10 pledge or com
initial of any sort relative to his decision OF
cases to be brought before him will be re-
ceived with satisfaction, and yet there has
hardly been doubt upon this point at any
time. Ii was not supposed that either the
gentlemen engaged in the movement would
90 so far as to ask such a committal, or
that any man with intelligence enough to
be candidate would submit to the
indignity of such request. The
mischief in the matter, as we appre-
hend, is in the popular impression as to
his views, which led to his nomination and
election. Voted for and elected under such
circumstances, as the candidate of men who
had positive notions about the constitution
ality of measures he might be called to con-
slider judicially-and in a canvass in which
these notions were the conspicuous, almost
the only issue-he is virtually pledged already;
committed to their views without the opening
of his mouth OF the scratch of his pen.
The embarTassments OF hls situation
Will be palmer to him when, if ever,
any question comes before him involving the
points in the controversy between the Rail
roads and the Farmers, and requiring his de-
cision of them. The testimony of the people
in Judge Craig's own county to his honesty,
ability, and efficiency is, according to our cor
respondent, nearly unanimous. If his election
70 ha AZ on
with party management and ring rule, as is
intimated, it is only another indication of
good time coming, when the reign Of the
mere politician shall be ended.
Meantime the effect of the movement upon
political parties and the prospect of a new
political organization to grow out of this are
subjects of interest to which our correspondent
is giving some attention. The Administration
politicians and organs are alarmed, and offer
ing to do almost anything the farmers can ask
if they will only continue in the Republican
party and seek the reforms they need within
the organization. The Democrats are not
behind in bidding for the support of the new
party, and the Farmers themselves are not
decided precisely what course to take. The
question of Free Trade and Protection
enters incidentally into the discussion of
platform of principles, but the impression OBJ
tans generally that that issue was most wisely
arbitrated at Cincinnati, when it was remanded
to the Congressional districts. The movement
is now at most important as well as peril
GUS stage, and will be watched by all parties,
East and West, with unusual interest The
correspondence of TIE TRIBUNE will take note
of its development and progress, and keep our
readers advised concerning both sides with
entire candor and impartiality.