The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-12-03
The Election Of STATE Omeers.

Il Is almost time for the Legislature to
meet. The idea prevalent is that II VIII be
a short session, there being little else q DO
bat to make provision for the constitutional
convention, and the necessary appropnar
tions which must be attended 20. -
We hope there viii be nothing Of impoF-
lance 10 defain our members IN Austin very
long. but We also hope they win not 90 70
their. legislative duties determined on short
session Ia any event. Il cannot be deter
mined until they meet. organize, and survey
the field, what L viii be their duty to do,
and when an estimate is taken Of what that
duty Is, we hare confidence enough IN the
Fourteenth Legislature 10 believe Il win be
fully performed.
In view Of the constitutional convention
which no doubt viii be called and provided
for By the Legislature, the STATESMAN Of
the twentieth has an article upon the sub
ject of SECURING competent men TO I'll State
Offices. We are In accord with our Austin
cotemporary in most of its views, but in
calling attention to the fact that some of
the State officers ought 70 be appointed by
the Governor, instead Of being elected as in
former times, we do not think the STATES
NAN has gone far enough. 'sThere is no
difference of opinion" says our neighbor,
'sin relation 10 the election by the people Of
the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attor-
ney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, Super
intendent OF Public Instruction, and Com
missioner of General Land Office. There
may be differences about the manner Of
choosing the judges, Secretary OF State,
Adjutmt General and Superintendent of
immigration. y 1
We have reason to think that there Is q
difference Of opinion in regard TO the pro
:. II
Public Instruction and the Attorney GEN
eral, as well as the officers mentioned by the
STATESMAN about which it supposes some
discussion might be had as to the mode Of
their choice. 3mas
Our space is too limited to do more at
this time than take a glance at the reasons
which may be urged in favor Of appointing
the Superintendent of Public Instruction
and all the judges, both of the Supremeaud
district courts. The reasoning Of the
STATESMAN, in relation to the appointment
of the district judges, is all very good, but
If the peculiar condition Of affairs did not
exist which is alluded to by our neighbor,
we would be opposed to going back to the
old mode Of electing judges. The judi
ciary ought to be very far removed from hust-
ings. The fact of the candidates for ia.
cial officers beng in the electioneering field,
is simply one iistasteful to the veriest DEM
ocrat who clings to the idea that in all
things the cor Populs is the C0g Del; and
though he may think that the representative
principle requires them to be elected by the
people, he would prefer that judges would
never be found on the stump, or still hunt
ing.
The judges of the Supreme Court of the
United States are appointed by the Presi-
dent, and their appointment confirmed or
rejected by the Senate. It is true that this
perhaps is the most practical way Of select
ing them, while in State there is no diff
Guilty in the way Of judges being chosen by
the people. We acknowledge the fact that
both in this and other States we have seen
the first and foremost legal ability on the
Supreme and district benches under the old
mode Of choosing them, but we have also
seen the reverse. No system can be made
perfect, and defects will be found in every
one that emanates from humanity; but this
matter Of choosing judges is one to which
we have given much thought, and for a long
time have held the opinion that they ought
to be appointed, Political offices should
be filed by the people, They are presumed
to know all about the principles Of the re-
spectiye parties to which they belong, and
to understand how they desire the goyern-
ment to be administered. Offices Of trust
may be filed by the people, with q full
knowledge and appreciation of the claims
that candidates may have upon their suf-
frages. and who are the best calculated to
hold such offices; but 1t is 4 violent pre-
sumption for US to suppose that the atness
Of candidates for judicial offices can be, and
is understood among the people as IL should
be to enable them to make judicious selec-
tions. We have known the most eloquent
advocates to make the poorest judges, and
the most reticent and unpopular men to
adorn the bench, and bring to it Judgment,
Learning and dignity. Houston Telegraph.