Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-02-21
THE ELECTION OF JUDGES.

The action of the Democratic caucus, in
renominating Judge Mackey and refusing to
nominate Judge Cooke, was rather surprise.
Both Mackey and Cooke are Republicans who
stoutIy supported Wade Hampton, in the az
onizing days of 1876. Judge Cooke an
nounced his purpose to act with the Damoc-
racy as soon as Chamberlain and Elliott were
nominated by the Republican Convention.
There was general rejoicing when Judge
Cooke, at the Democratic meeting at Abhe.
vile, declared himself in favor of the elec.
tion of Hampton, as the only means of ob'
tanning honest government in the State. The
expectation was, therefore, that if any of the
Republican Judges were reelected, both
Mackey and Cooke would be replaced on the
Bench. Yet one is taken and the other left.
1t is matter of certainty that, in ordinary
times, neither Judge Mackey no- Judge Cooke
would be chosen to expound the law and ad-
minister Justice in South Carolina. They
we're elected by Republicans in the days when
fitness and character were not as acceptable,
or as available, with the Legislature, as they
now are. Upon a point raised BY the Demo-
Gratis, however, the six Circuit Judges who
had been elected viua vocs were ousted BY the
Supreme Court as having been improperly
elected. The Democracy, therefore, were
brought face to face with perplexing ques-
ton. Judge Wiggin was not expected to be
reelected, for be is notoriously incapable.
For Judge Reed there Was little liking. De.
spite his admirable conduct on the Bench,
Judge Townsend seemed to have but few
friends Judge Shaw, a Democrat, was sure
to be elected Mackey and Cooke alone had
strong "claims" on the Democratic party.
Should they he turned out, as monuments of
the ingratitude of political parties, or should
they be reelected on grounds of expediency
alone2 The Democracy have cut the knot
by rejecting Mackey and rejecting Cooke.
In Cookies former Circuit there will be min
gled rejoicing and mourning, and this will
also be the case in Judge Mackey's Circuit.
Both Judges were stronger with the yeoman-
ry than with the members of the Bar.
The other Circuit Judges nominated by the
caucus are unexceptionable in character and
attanmepts. Col. Presley is an old member
of the Charleston Bar, accomplished, cour-
teous and erudite. Judge Shaw has already
proved himself to be hard working and ef-
ficient. In the Barnwell circuit, Judge Al.
drch resumes the place from which he was
driven BY Canby's soldiers, in the days when
North and South Carolina formed "the first
military district" Col. Hudson, who sue.
ceeds Judge Townsend, is spoken of in the
highest terms by the people and Bar of bis
circuit. Than Mr.. Thompson, of Abbeville,
there is not more thorough lawyer in the
State, or one more likel y to make model
Judge. The Democracy have made excellent
selections. With such men as Wallace, Ker.
shaw, PRESLEY, Thompson and Shaw on the
Circuit Bench, and McIver and Haskell on
the Supreme Bench, We shall have again a
faithful execution of equal laws in South
Carolina.
1t would have been better if the question
of the validity of the election Of the Circuit
Judges had not been raised. As it was raised
and the elections were declared illegal, the
vacant places must be filled. We are not
disposed to find fault with the Democratic
caucus, but it would have been more consist
ent, in selecting candidates, to look entirely
to their personal and moral qualifications. or
wholly to considerations Of policy and politi.
cal interests. In either case the result would
have been somewhat different Charleston
Ne,ps and Courier.