The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-08
THE CHIEF JUSTiCESHiP.

THE CHIEF JUSTiCESHlP.
The following is the reply of Hon.
James Gilfllan to the letter of Hon.
Ebenezer Ayres, enclosing copy Of
the Owatonna platform and asking
his opinion touching the same:
ST.. PAUL, Mimi, August ii, rs.
Hon. Ebenezer Ayres, Chairman Anti
Monopolist State Committee:
DEAR S1R.-I have received your ia
vor of the 9th inst, addressed to me as
a candidate for the Office of Chief JUS
tice, enclosing copy Of the platform
adopted at the '1ndependent Anti Mo-
nopoly" State Convention, which met
at Owatonna on the Goth day of July
last, and soliciting my opinion thereon.
As judge must, in performing the du-
ties of his Office, ignore all distinctions
between persons whose controversies he
is called on to decide, whatever political
principles they may hold, or to what
ever political organizations they may be-
long, it is improper that one whose
name IS before the people for election
to such an Office, should engage in any
discussion of political character or en-
deavor to commend himself to the elec-
tors, by expressing opinions on political
subjects. For this reason, the sufi-
eiency of which I believe you viii! recog-
nize, I must respectfully decline to give
any opinion upon the platform sent me
am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES G1LF1LLAN.
We hold to the opinion that judges
and attorneys should generally be
selected without regard to the polit-
ical parties with which they may be
connected, but think that Mr.. Gil
fillan misapprehends the question
Mr.. Ayers asked. 1t is not whether
he approves of the platform as an
entirety, but what are his views con-
corning the subjects therein men,
toned. Several of these are such
as he must have opinions about,
and he would have been innocent
of all improperly had he either en-
dorsed or disapproved them. The
first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and
ninth planks might, at least, have
been discussed by Mr.. Gil6llan or
anybody else.
A judge, as much as a governor,
legislator, or constable, is a public
servant, paid by the people for per-
forming stipulated duty, and the
people have right to know what
are his opinions. To some extent
these may be ascertained by refer
ence to his past professions and
conduct; but if new issues arise
they have the right to inquire and he
the right to declare what views he
entertains relatively thereto. We
regret that Mr.. Gil6llan has seen fit
to refuse an explicit reply to the
letter of Mr.. Ayres, because he thus
leaves it in the power Of his oppo-
nents to accuse him Of Sinking the
questions i::volved; yet we must not
forget that it is no worse to do this
than to make false professions fo1
the sake Of winning votes. We all
understand that Mr.. Gilfllan is a
Republican, and we now must sup.
pose that he endorses the Republi
can policy generally, and therefore
so far as that is opposed to the Anti
Monopoly platform, he stands op
posed to it. That he is an able
lawyer and competent judge we
willingly concede, and if he is elect
ed we can only hope that he viii
prefer to construe the law in the in
terests of the people, rather than ir
the interests Of their oppressors.
e IL D..