The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-04
EVILS OF THE DAY.
Ex-Governor Dix on the Black Spots on
Our Body Polite.
ONE TERN FOR THE PRESIDENT.
THE JUDICIARY MUST BIB APPOISTITE.

Dr. Rodgers church, on Fifth avenue, was last night
crowded to the doors by audience maze up OF
thoughtful, cultured people majority OF whom had
passed meridian Of life The occasion OF tho gath
ering the tenth anniversary Of the New YORK AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement OF science and Art
which was celebrated by lecture from Ex-Governor
John A. Dix Some OF the Political and Social E'ils
of Our Times Seated beside the orator of the
ing were OK Governor John Hoffman, Governor K.
d. Morgan Rev Or Rogers, John Adams Dix, and Rev.
Iranmas Prime Mr. W. K Dodge, ex-Judge Peabody
DR. Morgan Dix, Judge Jones. Of Pennsylvania and
scores Of other distinguished people seated in tho
pews or standing in the densey packed asles At the
conclusion Of Ex-Governor Dxs lecture Governor
Hoffman, response the call of the President made
remarks He alluded the fact that he is do
liver the next lecture of tho and moved vote
of thanks 10 the lecturer OF the evening Ex-Governor
Morgan was then introduced but he said only few
ended by secondlng the motion OF his pred
In regard TO the vote OF thanks The motion
was, OF course carried The meeting then adjourned
till the nrst Monday in next month.
GOVERNOR DIx's LECTURE
The lecturer said:-It Is certainly marvel that the
trainers OF the constitution OF the United States should
have succeeded in framing and agreeing upon form OF
government so free from mperectons and that after
the lapse of more than three quarters OF century and
with population essentially modified IN material
well ethical characterstcs so little cause should he
found for changes in It's structure But there is do
feet Of administration. which II will be difficult 10
remedy without amendment by the concurrent ac-
ton Of Congress and threofourt Of the States The
defect functional, and yet 1t seems only sus.
allude to the immense number of appoint
ments made by the Executive department l
think it may be said as truly that THIS
patronage il has been not improperly called, has
sometimes been used 10 promote the denomination of
the Chief Magistrate Of the Union for second term OF
office I alude TO period somewhat remote from our
time; and there was reason for believing that IN
instance, many years ago Cabinet officers were
lected before the President entered his first term
with view TO his election for second II is quite
obvious that with such supposed personal interest in
The distribution Offices there should be danger OF
losing sight OF the theory OF system that the
best lifted by their talents and integrity for public
trusts shall be chosen execute them. This is dan
ger to be regarded with deep regret though not per-
maps with wonder. Chief Magistrates are but men.
DEFECTIVE DISTRIBUTION or OFFICES
l know but one mode OF remedying the evil referred
tor at least OF mitigating IT, for the remedy is not
a constrained disnterestedness by making him inelIg
BILE Office for a second Ii will not 1t is true,
deprive him OF the power OF rewarding his political
friends and supporters but it will dvest him Of one of
the seductive motives to selfish action by render
ing object unattanable and inspiring him with the
higher ambition OF giving his countrymen pure and
benedccnt administration, and securing Tor himself
enviable place in tho history Of his country.
There Kindred evils, the fruits Of the
multiplication OF Offices which are greatly TO be
depIored. They have come TO be generally regarded
in the nature OF benefces rather than public
trusts and might have been expected, the different
states are claiming their disrlbutive share.
believe the right view Of this question is to be found
IN certain propositions forth in address unani-
mousy adopted by delegation from this state to
national convention held In 1882 for the nomination of
candidates the Presidency and Vice Presidency. In
the lapse Of than forty years public and
have undergone great change that the origin
OF these propositions can have no party significance
They we're
l. All Offices belong to the people, arc to be filed
and administered for their benefit
2 On a change OF administration, involving change
Of measures change Of men Is, to certain extent
necessary TO give effect TO the former
This change should be limited to the principal
Offices
In the subordinate departments of tho government
individual should be removed on account OF bus po
litical opinions
II these propositions were carried into practice II
would do much to explode the debasing notion, now
somewhat prevalent, that public offices to be dis
trbuted among the States on every change of admins
tration like prize money among privateersmen after
II is very much to be regretted that the civil service
reform failed II II had been carried odt IT would have
obvated much OF the evil arising from the distribution
of Office AS 1t Is see no remedy but the one have
suggesed-the ineigbihty OF the President for sec
ond term of Office, extending the single term TO six
years obviatng some further evils and adding greatly
20 the comfort Of the community by proongng the
period Of repose which follows general election.
KLECrIoN JUDICIAL oFFIcKRs.
Let me now TO the constitution of this State in
which there a serious organic defect mean the
Election of principal Judicial officers by the people
II is generally believed that this defect is irremed
able-that the people OF the State will consent
70 relnqush this right and remit the power OF appoint
ment to the Governor with the advice and Of
the Senate This belief strengthened by the TACT that
An Amendment of the constitution max this change
was submitted a popular a few years ago and
rejected. Nevertheless, ] do not share this belief
There is radical objection to the election Of Ju
dical officers for limited term II is opposed TO the
whole theory of judicial independence. The
province the Judiciary give the true incrpreta
zion TO the constitution and the laws and TO adjudgc
their application which arise IN the
transactions of society and judicial system is per
ect which does not place its incumbents above all
biases OF personal and their adJudcatons be-
yond the influence OF all authority. To accomplish
these objects u the judgment OF our original CON
sttnton and makers that they should hold their
Offices during good behavior, subject 10 removal for
corrupt exercise of their functions and have never
doubted that should soon or late return TO this
system as the only compatible with perfectly i'm
partial Interpretation Of the laws There no danger
IN Il; for " an Interpretation gwen TO law which
the people deem INJURIOUS 10 them cy amend the
law They have a perfect remedy in the power Of
legislation which they control by the election of those
rnE TENDENCY TO CREATE PARTISAN COURTS
Asa general rule party lines now as nnexibly
drawn in the nomination aud support OF the highest
judicial officers as In the election OF coroner OF con-
stable. The result that where there IS in Judicial
district continued party majority for series OF years
there is a partisan Bench and II would be with the
Court Of Appeals II the political control of the State for
long period were with the same party. ] make no
distinction the two leading parties for what
evil there is In this respect they equally at
fault That a purely partisan Bench is undesirable
ment which is considered in It's effect adverse to
the interests OF the party TO which the Court Is
sceordanec With its opinions. will be- vcr nv
apt TO subject the members to tho impn-
taton OF improper motives, however unjust such
an mputation may be- But there is, In fact al
WAYS a real danger that Its decisions questions
having political bearing may be influenced, though
unconsciously to its members, by party associations
and long cherished views OF constitutional right or
considerations OF policy, thus giving bias 10 its
judgments ia spite OF every desire and effort 10 be
Impartial The danger is greater under an elective
system Judges are elected for a limited period In
most they look forward 70 the end OF their term
with the desire 10 be reelected and requires an ole
walton OF character above the average moral constu
ton OF perfect freedom from the danger
of being their Internationally the desire
10 themselves acceptable TO the popular majority
RxAMPLKs or SOCIAL DISQUALIFICATION.
The two defects have discussed may be remedicd
by amendments Of the constitution OF the United States
and the constitution OF this State But there social
evils which are not the fruit OF organism, and which
can only be removed by reformation OF our moral
,opdftton Here the lecturer dwelt II length the
II altv.tt tt.-