Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-05
INCREASE OF SUPREME JUDGES.

| To publish ii as something worthy OF publc at
tcnllon. In a future numbtr we may give our
view of the subject.-ED. 1nIBUNL.
EDITOR TRlBUNE:-An eXamina-
ton of the table of the official cam
vass of the late election in this State
in regard to tie Judicial amend
ment of the Con, titulion, determined
hy such election, shows some results
worthy of special notice.
Two Judges are thereby to be ad
ded to our SUI rene Bench, never
to be leosened, but with probable
ity of increase in the number at no
distant day, while there was no real
evidence given to the public to JUS
lily such increase. The few sngges
tions put forth on its behalf IN GER
tain limited localities, were altogeth-
CT vague as to proof in the matter of
necessity, and colored, apparently,
by an atlectation Of State grandure
and of professional pride. We sub
NIT that in these times of excessive
taxation and widespread pecuniary
distress, suSh considerations should
be entitled to but little weight upon
questions which go t. the increase
Of the public burthens.
Have we in view Of the nature OF
this display and of the success which
has met its efforts in this instance,
any warrant whatever to conclude
that American Society is nursing an
evil, which in the enu will prove lis
overthrow is the accumulation OF
events in our history Of q character
similar to this under consideration
50 marked, and so progressive in
kind, as to authorize conclusion
that the social political line, drawn
in some unavoidable degree by ma
ture-bad enough at the best-which
consigns the mass Of Plebans on the
one side to life of unremitting toll
for daily bread, with all its long
train Of attendant miseries, and on
the other side, gives to u favored few
the Patricans---a monopoly OF all
the honors. and of every thing desir-
ehe in the way of afiluence and ease
defendants upon the honors,) with
in the gift of society; with perpetual
right to forage at will upon the Pie
bians across the border for means to
sustain themselves in their luxurious
state; is beng widened, ditched,
aud fortified by the Patricians, as
against their assumed common enc
my! There may be no warrant in
our premises for this line of thought,
and it is not our purpose to discuss
at this time, the questions we have
raised; but, if one is disposed to pur-
sue our inquiries he may easily tina
abundant material in history, ancient
and modern, to suggest parallels and
to excite admonitlon.
Whatever opinion one may hold in
regard to the propriety of this
amendment, it should be admitted by
everyone, that changes in our or
ganic law should be passed upon
only alter the proposed changes shall
have been well discussed by the peo-
pie, and be submitted to the final
ballot in such manner rs to insure
entire freedom from party dictation
and party prejudices at the election.
/ Constitutional Amendments should
then be voted upon separate sips,
| dropped in boxes set apart for the
express purpose, aud submitted, not
at general election, but at the fail
of our annual Town meetings. The
! State should take care that an equal
number OF printed slips For aud
! .i9dJtM the Amendment are laid
( before the voters at every poll OF
election with every possible sale
guard Of free choice by the voters
Now, what were the facts IN reia-
tiou 60 this Judicial Amendment !
1t was submitted 10y violation OF
Cray one OF these requisites to a Just
result, and 1t has hecome part Of
orr organic law by vote largely in
ccusidyrate-less than ouc-third Of
the voting population Of the State.
In those counties and localities
whore the proposition was discussed
Ny their local press, it invariably
Jared the worst, as in Grant County.
where thcva was majority Of 700
against it-i3}2 voters, voting the
general issue, emitting to vote upon
this question.