Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-09-06
ExTRAXEOUS CONSlDERA.
TlONS.

4 I'@~~~-@~~-T
~ steel, generous to a fault, and on
| Of the stannchest Republicans in III
world. His home during the hes
years Of his life has been on tn
frontier, and there is not want no
need of the masses that he Is not j,
full sympathy with. All voter
should make it a point to see an,
converse, ifpossible, with candidates
Il Enterprise.
This is high compliment t
Judge Leonard personally, but it ha
not the remotest reference to his fit
ness tor the office Of Supreme Judge
"Onc of7he most pleasant Of gen tie.
men" may be wholly unfit for certair
responsible duties. When one Ia.
special qualifications for the place to
which he aspires, and adds to these
admirable personal attributes, he is $
strong candidate. But without the
special qualifications, such persons
candidscy should be looked upon
with suspicion. We wonder there
fore that The Enterprise should omi,
any reference to special fitness for
the sake of parading mans fealty
to friends aud social qualities. These
have not the least connection with
the duties which any officer of the
State has to perform, and Supreme
Judge should be farther removed
from such considerations than any
other recipient of State patronage.
II is astonishing to see an intelli
gent editor SO palser with an impor-
tant consideration. And when the
editor is himself a lawyer. the aston
ishment amounts to iuexplicable
mystery. "His home, during the
best years of his life" may have
been on the frontier, and he may be
familiar with the wants of the
masses, but what has that To do With
his knowledge of law, the principles
Of justice, and his answering inte-'
rity--the only accomplishments taAt
should be allowed to weigh for or
against u candidate for Supreme
Judge. Lawyers, judges and scnsi-
hle people generally admit the neces-
si,y Of keeping the bench free from
the contamination of politics, No
man should be elected to il on ac-
count of his political learinys, any
more than on account of his religious
opinions. The Supreme Court is the
last source of settlement If con,ro-
versies arising between the citizens
of = State, and il should be composed
Of the very best legal talent available,
1t is the merest clap-tiap, therefore.
to allude To candidates personal
popularity in reviewing his claims
to election. Mr.. Leonari's familiarity
with the wants of the masses would
apply If he were a candidate for the
Legislature. but ii has no bearia.
upon his fitness for the office to
which he aspires. He may he emf
nently qualified, and The Enterprise
ought to point out those quslifca-
tons, If it can. and not s,ultify itself
by alluding entirely to extraneous
considerations. We hope To see the
best man elected TO the Supreme
bench, whether he be Republican or
Democrat Voters should endeavor
20 find out candidates qualifications
through an honest and sensible press,
or 10 any other way they can, omit
ting all consideration Of his style on
the street. Judge Leonard, We under
stand. win be amongst us to-day,
when our people will have brief
opportunity of forming an estimate
of him. We believe he is thoroughly
competent to be Supreme Judge.
and We propose 10 recommend him
to voters by and by on other than
personal grounds.