The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-05-31
THE COUNTY yUpcEsHrp.

Upon this subject THE ARGUS is of the
opinion that free and full discussion will
be productive of best results. In CONVEX
sation with majority of members of the
bar of the county and of leading citizens
of the county, of both parties, we learn
that but one opinion prevails. which is
that the Office 10 no way should be dragged
within the influence of political parties.
| Members of the bar take very com
mendable stand by saying they have no.
desire to name candidate, other than to
recommend qualifications. In this they
will be sustained by the people. They
have hot as yet committed themselves to
the support of any candidate, nor could
| they well do so, consistent with the stand
they have taken. AS the writer OF the
following letter has been often solicited to
take the Office and has been named in
connection with the judgeship by large
number of men of all parties, by reason of
his we'll known legal and personal quallh-
cations, and as the following letter agrees
with the prevailing opinion among members
of the bar and throughout the county we
take the responsibility of publishing it.
CINCINNATI, o., May %, 1877.
Porter Skinner, Eco,
Dear Sir: When | was at home the
last time, Deacon Boyer and some others
asked me the question direct, it would
consent to be candidate for county judge
at this coming fall election. Under the
pressure of business, taking dispositions,
and the hurry of the moment, l answered
very decidedly that | would not.
| am informed that the legislature has,
this present session. materially changed
and enlarged the jurisdiction Of the county
court, giving it jurisdiction of cases up to
81 000,-that appeals may be taken from
Justices of the peace to the county court.
and also that appeals lie from the county
court direct to the supreme court of the
state without going through the circuit
court as heretofore If this information is
correct the county court will become quite
as important to the people as the circuit
court and will be scarcely, if any, inferior
to it in the nature aud amount of business
to be transacted. The Office of judge will
become one of some dignity, and will re-
, edge and higher personal qualifications
than have been heretofore considered
necessary.
These preliminary remarks are ex
planatory of what | am about to say
further. Thejudgeship, under this new law
and the enlargement of Its powers, will be
come quite as much OF judicial office
which should be independent of partizar
IL IA
: the circuit court, and the choice of judg,
E should be made without party action anC
, with especial reference to the qualification
of the person as much In this case as il
D that of circuit judge My own opinion il
!, the selection should be left mainly to tn,
n members of the bar and any one whom
they should finally agree upon should b.
elected without being a candidate OF on
. party as against candidate of another
S party.
9 You have, at different times. suggested t.
: me the idea of being candidate for thu
position. lie the court has been enlarged
D IN its jurisdiction, and raised to the inhu
e entail and commanding status which
9 am informed it has been, by recent legi>
ation, then the subject would common,
4 itself to me in a much more favorabl
S light than it has ever appeared before
a At the same time suppose the difficult
j Of obtaining it has increased in simila
ratio, as the position must naturally b
:, enc that would be more agreeable to law
gers than the old ofhce-one which me
of some considerable legal abilities an
practice, especially young lawyers, woul
be willing to accept.
/ have considered the matter, NOR
especially since | was at home, wit
carnestness and care AID [ have this I
say:
n If could be candidate aoith the actio
a and support Of the bar Of the county ana
acjthoW being a party candidate, simpl
u be elected by the people witbou
y regard to party because | was supposed I
At be capable and well qualified for the pC
sitioD, under srch circumstances | shoul
not refuse to accept the position, an
Il should feel grateful for the honor cor
2 ferred.
What have written you are at libert
to make known TO my friends. If th
canvass can be brought about 10 the mar
rs ner l have indicated, and my friends desir
1T to act in my behalf in that way, their actio
,e would be fully appreciated; but if the COZ
test is to be made upon strict party lines
IL under such circumstances | should at a
times respectfully but decidedly refuse t
ID be candidate for either party. If th
I'd Office Of judge is of importance and dignit
D. enough to be worthy the ambition of a
I'd honorable man, the nature of its dutit
lg and the character of the trust render
N peculiarly fitting and proper that it shout
al he the gift of his fellow citizens irrespec
Of i've of party affiliations.
ut You having, on several occasions
re preached the subject to mo in a warn
lie friendly manner,is my apology for writin
is you, and for stating so much at length ID
Q views and wishes upon the subject Ha
ic not Mr. Boyer and others spoken to N
at on the subject so recently, | should not &
it this time even thought of the possibilitit
s, OF becoming a candidate for the position
e. and as it is apprehend that it is ez
tremely doubtful whether such unanimit
a of sentiment among the members of til
- bar can be had in my favor as to warrar
~ my friends 10 bringing forward my nam
re Yours very truly.
Y. NJ BLANDING.
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