, 1873-04-24

rolocttnB oil political or paftlann consdorAtohb'
Now, for tho first timo in tho history OF judiolal
oloct1ouH in this stato, is 1t proposed to noml-
nato oantlitlato for tl,e Office Of Judge Of tho
court Of last resort upon partiou1nr issue, or
to represent particular intoroat upon tho Bench.
Wo rotor to tho proposed Princeton Convention.
What Ia tho objoot Of thoao who assume TO havo
called TINT Convention? 1t iB too cvidont to DO
mistaken. It IL to nominate candidate for tho
oilico of Judge Of tho Supreme Court, who may
defeat Judge Lawrence. Wlonco arises tllla do
Biro with aone to dofoat Judge Lawronco3 Z
Not because ho Is not q man Of ability,
learning, and unqueRtloned integrity. Not
because ho has not devoted himself with
unconsng diligence to tho most arluoua
labors OF tho Court. Nor yet bocauao he has
failed, with unllnching tirmnosB and indopend-
onoo, to 60 right on in tho disohargeIof hiH high
dutios asa Judge, regardless Of o1amor, or abuso,
or attempted intimidation. Tho dosiro to defoat
Judge 1awronco does not ariHo from Ills want OF
any Of those qualities which constitute tho just
and ablo Judge. It n,iaos, oatonsibly, from d
dissatisfaction Of few with tho recent decision
Of tho Supreme court in regard to the not Of tho
Legislature on the subject Of unjust discrmina-
ton by railway companion in tho carrying Of
freight, Which, It is contcndod, ID not In aceord
with tho advanced public sentiment on TINT
question.
Wo do not propoao to inquire now mhothor
that docielon is open to this criticism, but no
ask Whit good end Is to bo attaincd iu thae d.
roction by defeating Judge Lawrence 1H 1t
proposed to secure plodgos from the candtdate,
in advance Of his election, that he will, US
member OF tho Court, decide n certain question
In certain way? Not ovon tho naoHt caraest of
those who desire now candidate would have
the temority to admit That to bo their purpose
So monstroua proposition would ut onco moot
with public condemnation. Will the Convention
adopt platform, In respect to those contravort-
cd questions, with tho implied understanding
TINT tho nominee Of tho Convention will
conform his action Us d Judge to
tint platform Or will tho Convention simply
nominato candidate in opposition to Judge
Lawrenco, without adopting q platform or oxact-
ing pledges, but with tho necoagary implication
TINT tho nominee, if elected, will decide certain
questions difrorcntly from Judge Lawrence ?
While some of thoHo propositions may appoar
leaa monstrous than others, they nro equally
vicious and dangerous in thoir tendency. It
| docs not soe1n possible tho people would commit
40 great folly as to nominate and support d
lawyer for tito of1ico Of Judge with eyon tho
most romoto understanding tlat he had predo-
te1minod what ho would decide. No honorable,
high-ninled lawyor could accept u judicial ollco
with tho knowledge TINT tho cauBo Of his olcc-
tion waa oven All expectation On the part Of his
supporters that he Ind pro-judgcd their caso.
ANY lawyer o1evatod to tho Bench under
such circumst ancos, would ut onco incur the
suspicion of tho Bar and tho people, md de-
norvcdly 10. To submit argument to court
thus constituted would bo farce. But ono
| form Of argument would bo considered availing,
and that would DO Of tho most venal character.
| 1Vo audorBtand overturcB have boon made to
Judge Loland, and also to Judge Dc1sey, Of
Ottawa, In Wow OF tho possible nomination Of
ono Of them by the Princeton Convention As
might hayo boon expected, thoy both promptly
refused to permit t!loir names to bo unod in TINT
. connection. Mother Of thone gentlemen
would accept such an office under cir
cu1nstancos 80 suggestive Of impropriotY.
| Moreover they had both signed call to
Judge Lawronce requesting him to become
a candidate for recollection. We do not geo how
any honorable lawyer in tho Fifth District
who has Htgned that call upon Judge Lawrence
could now accept q nomination against him,
haying by their solicitation, impliodly at least,
offered him their support.
But, beyond and above this, ia tho eonsidor~
alton no before adyorted to-that the people
cannot afford to prostitute tho Bench to mere
l.subsorYicncy to tho resolutions OF convention.
Tho question is not whether tho people ehall
choose another to succeed Judge Lawrence, but
it ia whother they shnll choose SUCCESSOR under
such circumstances as will necessarily
invite tho suspicion that such SUCCESSOR
ia not an honorable, trustworthy man
Lot 1t bo disguised as it may, a nomination, by
tho proposed Convention at Princeton, Of can
didato in opposition to Judge Lawrence, will be
understood all over the State as having beer
made upon tho ground that tho decision Of The
Court in tho caBo referred to WAS not satisfactory
to that Convention. Tho conclusion is inoyta
bio that tho nominee would bo expected to de-
eide differently, whatoyar might ba his conyic
tions as to what the law is. No lawyer wht
would accept judicial office under suoh circunl
STANCES would be worthy Of tho confidence O.
anybody. A Judge should DO FREQ from tho tain
OF eTon suspicion TINT ho will ronacr partlc
ular decision as the prlco Of h!a election.
TILE EUREKA TRAGEDY.
Tho story Of tho killing OF Mrs. Hodgos at Eli
roku ILL.,, from beginning to end, Is ono Of th'
most shocking Of recent occurrence. ItfurniBhe
striking commont on tho Hboral construction