, 1873-05-10
OUR JUDICIAL ELECTION.

Under the Constitution Of 1870, the elections
OF Circuit Judges OF the State will take place on
the first Monday in June. The number to be
chosen is twenty-five outside Of Cook County,
and five in this county. Judges Rogers, Booth,
and Farwen we're elected in 1870, but the Con-
stitution Aas been construed to mean that the
terms Of all tho Circuit Judges ahau begin at
the election in 1873. Judge Tree WAS elected to
fill the vacancy caused by the election Of Judge
McAllister to the Supreme Bench, and the term
of;Judge Williams expires by limitation. In this
county, therefore, there will be five Circuit
Judges electaa and these will serve until juno,
1879.
This is q matter Of too much importance to be
overlooked by the public. The State Of Illinois
has in the past been exceptionally fortunate in
having had an able and incorruptible Judiciary.
Such Judiciary is Of inestimable value to
large commercial city like Chicago. There is no
branch Of tho Government 80 we'll calculated to
maintain the character of q commercial city as
the Judiciary. Chicago has at this time nino
Judges Williams, Booth, Rogers, Far
well, and Tree, of the Circuit Court; Jameson,
Porter, aud Gary, Of the Superior Court
and Wallace of the County Court, and, as
a body, they will compare in all that
goes to make up the character Of: an
honest, able, industrious, and Independent
judiciary with any like body Of Judges Of tho
same rank in the country. We have not heard
that either one Of the five Judges whese terms
are about to expire has ever been negligent in
the performance Of his duty, has been unfair in
bis official action, or has in the slightest degree
been impeached in his integrity. In point Of
ability, they will each compare favorably with
any gentlemen who Wonld be willing to take the
places. We suppose, though We do not know,
that all OF them are willing to serve another
term, and we have not yet heard Of any person
at least the name Of no reputable person has yet
been announced-as 4 candidate against them.
What, therefore, is the best policy to be pur-
sued with respect to this judicial electIon2
The great thing needed in Judge is fair legal
ability, incorruptible integrity, and industry.
With these, the rights Of the public and the
rights OF. 1ndlF1QQAl8 WILL alNays De proLect5Q
So long as We have body Of Judges who have
these qualifications, who have shown themselves
to be oil that any fair-minded man could desire
in court, is it not the safest and wisest plan
for the people to re-e1ect them7 We do not
mean that the present Judges are the only five
men in the county suitable to hold that Office, but
when thore is no reason given for change, no
fault, personal or official, found with either of
the Judges, is it not the best policy to retain the
Judges whom We know and have tried rather
than take our chances in new scramble? It
may be possible that some members Of the Bar
who have not yet been announced as candidates
map be pressed for election, and that, if elected
they will mako good Judges. Nevertheless, we
think stability in the courts to be OF great ben
eft, ando such Importance as to override all
considerations of a change for the mere sake Of
change; and ne think the public, who have so
much at stake, can in nowise 80 we'll encourage
judicial probity 81 by rewarding Judge who,
has been faithful with reelection. We trust
that there will be no attempt by any person to
make party nominations, but that, by the general
consent of all men Of all parties, the FIVE eJudges
now on the Bench of the Circuit Court may be
e-elected.