The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-07-14
THE JUDGEsHIP,

The time is at baud when the pcop'C VI
this district will be called upon to make 'heir
choice of an additional circuit judge, undeE
the irdicial act OF the last legislature The
candidates most prominently spoken OF thus
far are Francis Goodspeed Of VIII county, d.
p Jones and Chas. Blanchard of La Sale,
and Jas. S. Eckles and g. w. Stipp OF Bur-
eau. The name of Judge Locey Of La Sale
has also been mentioned, but We learn
that he declines to DC 4 candidate Ana
we are not sure but Mr.. Eckles VIII 90
the same. lie was at Ottawa few days
ago, and upon such as met him certainly
made good impression as courteous, pleas.
ant gentleman, while ii is agreed among all
of the profession that he is an able lawyer ;
but II was not inferred from his conversation
that he was positively candidate in the as
nee, which the contest has assumed, but thai
he should take few days more to look
around We should be very sorry TO do the
gentleman any injustice by raising DOUBT
as to his candidacy if there is none; ana snail
take pains TO undo any such impression II II
has no foundation in truth.
In any event the contest, so far as La Sale
county is concerned, is narrowed down to
choice between David p. Jones and Charles
Blanchard and after candidly weighing the
pros and cons, we are free to say that between
the two our choice IS for Mr. Jones. lie is
certainly an able and thoroughly posted
lawyer, and as to the possession OF an analy-
tic, discriminating, jRdtcjal mind, no one can
honestly question his being at least the equa,
Of his opponent, while many regard him as
greatly superior. He is all old resident OF
The county-about the Oldest practitioner-in
wears of law practce--at the la Sale county
bar, and certainly with no rival there Is a
sound, thoroughly informed lawyer.
While the general wish undoubtedly is that
no question of politics shall enter into the
contest, it IS nevertheless undcnable that Mr..
Jones will lose many votes because he is
known rs life long democrat But even If
that IS to count at all, it should count in his
favor; for the two Of the judges now on the
DenCus III luIs tIiCuIb uciHb iCpuoiiIdhS, ~
would be no more than fair play, all other
things being equal, that the third Judge should
BE democrat. For the republicans TO insist
on having all three, purely on political
grounds, would be simply hoggish.
The formal announcement of the candida
cy of Mr.. Blanchard being accompanied by a
long list of names, upon which, by the way,
We see the names OF some fast friends OF Mr.
Jones who signed the Blanchard paper be-
fore they were aware Of Mr.. Jones's candida
Cyl the FRIENDS of Mr.. Jones have been busted
in getting up a similar list, which came IN
too late, however, for insertion this week.
Meantime we are able 10 submit the follow
ing very emphatic endorsement of Mr. jones
in sn open letter by Judge Cation, name
which cannot fail to bear a great deal of
weight IN a case like this;
July 20, 1871.
D. p. JoNEs, ESQ, 0ttdtca:
Dsdr Having confidence in your ahil-
ity, integrity and learning in the law | shall
take pleasure in giving You my support
should you be a candidate for circuit judge
at the approaching election.
Very truly yours,
J. ID. CATON.