, 1875-12-19
TIE SUPREME COURT ELECTION.

We print this morning reply from Mr.
b. B. HunD to the charges made against him
in pamphlet recently published, and the
authorship OF which has been avowed by Mr.
A. J. BRowH, another member Of the Chicago
Bar. We also print enough Of this pamphlet
to render Mr.. HuED's explanation intelhgible
to those Of our readers who have not read
the pamphlet itself. Mr. Hump, as candi-
date for the Supreme Bench from this
district, is entitled to o careful consideration
Of his defense. It is also fair to remember
that, while Mr. BRowE's statement happens
to be made up from records Of the Supreme
Court, it has an evident coloring Of personal
feeling, Of the justice Of which VIC leave every
voter who reads it to determine for himself.
We shall leave Mr. HuRD's statement to make
its own way likewise, and only claim for him
m impartial hearing.
But while the record which Mr.. BRowN
has made up against ar. HuRD with refer
ence to his candidature will unquestionably
deprive him Of many votes, there is also
record against his competitor which should
restrain those familiar with it from voting for
him. We do not refer to anything in tie
personal career of Mr.. DIcKE1, but to his
official position On certain questions Of im-
portance in this district which render his as-
pirations for the Supreme Bench peculiarly
Objectionable Ut this time. Afr. D1cgEY, in
his present position as law-adsiser to the
City Government Of Chicago, took advantage
Of it to advise the Common Council to dis
regard an injunction put upon it by the Cir
cult Court, and to set the pernicious, lawless,
and dangerous example Of hamping ju-
dicia1 mAndate under foot. For this unpro-
professional action 11r. DIcKEY was cited for
contempt. and he was subsequently fined
S100 for the ofense This fine he has never
paid, but has appealed to the Supreme Court,
and now seeks to become member Of said
Court before it has passed upon his 'con-
tempt" b1r. DrckEY has also recently given
an extraordinary opinion that Mr.. CoLyzN
is entitled to hold the ot1ice Of Mayor
eighteen months beyond the term for which
he was elected, in spite Of the plain consti-
tutional prohibition Of the extension of any
official term This question the Supreme
Court, which Ar. D1cH1 wants to reach,
will also be called on to decide. We hardly
suppose that A1r. D1oKEx win, if elected,
claim Che right Of sitting in Judgment in
these municipal casss, one Of which involves
hlmself, but his election at this time would
probably be construed as q popular indorae-
ment Of his course, and would unquostion.
ably exert decided influence in the final
disposition Of thsse cases by that Court He'd
Afr. D1c5Ex beon nominated to the Supreme
Court by convention Of great party, and
without any agency Of his own, he might
perhaps be excused for accepting the nomi-
nation but that be has come forward Of his
own motion, and without solicitation from
any one, is, under the circumstances peculiarly
indelicate and offensive. He is really not 9
man who ought to be elected to the Supreme
Bench at any time, because his somewhat in
dolent habits and advanced age unit him fo1
the ar3uous duties and hard work Of thai
tribunal but proper appreciation Of pro.
fessiona] precedent should have deferred hin
from coming forward at this time above al
others.
| We are constrained to admit, in yiew ot
| the record which A1r. BnowH has made ut
| against Nr. HUMP, On the one side, and The
forcible objections 10 Ar. D1orss personal
s4ost 10 reach tbs Supreme Bsnch, 90 the