The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-02-08
Tie Circuit Judges.

the Democratt Legislature. of this State was in
listening tottesry of theextremis,s of the party,
thnt the Republican Judges had not been legally
elected and, Therefore, should be oustsd,
Upon 3sfdl watcbingsof the progress of
the msrega eere compelled to believe that
it had its Sils ,-Slmsst exclusively, among the
members Of the bar. And what gives it more
disagreeabc feature is the rush of the bar to the
Legislature demanding the election of men from
their bodyto FL. the positions.
We have mo complaint to make of the deci.
sion of the majority of the Supreme Court. We
believe they. acted strictly in accordance with
tho dictates Of their own convictions. They are
not tho men TO sacrifice conscience to the cx-
treme wishes of any party or class of men. -
But what we regret is that the Legislature should
have thought a technical error in the manner
of theirelection of sufficient importance to dis
turb the workings Of the judicial branch of the
government at tbs time.
We can tell the. Legislature now that it is not
the people of the State who are clamorng for
a wholesale ousting Of the Judges who have re-
signed their offices in consequence of the deci-
sion ,pf the Supreme Court We vantnra to say
that four films Of the citizens OF this Bounty
would sign petition to renstato at least two
of them, and We are as much Interest," ed in the
matter as any other County, now that the rota-
ii IN Of Circuits is adopted
We not afraid of any one accusing us Of
not being as full blooded,a straight out democrat
as any man in the State ';;bA when straight-out
democracy demand. US TO turn our back upon
men of The other party who did as much any
democrats to elect the st,aight-out ticket, we
are constrained to believe the demand is unjust
and unwisc.
1t is estimated that Judges Mackcy and Cooke
influenced 10000 republican votes to sustain the
democratic ticket, at the last general election
While we think the number over estimated, we
ssk the Legislature and every intelligent man
in the State whether Hampton and the rest of
the straight-out candidates would have been
elected even if tlrose wen h;,,i-vonrroiru only
one. fourth of that number?
Through the bundcrs Of the democrats, the
republican party is now being. .rcorganized, and
not with Carpetbagscrs at its head. either, but
with native South Carolipans, against whom no
charges OF corruption have been made. Now,
suppose that Motion, Mackcy and Cooke take
the field against us ut the next election or
that Mackey and Cooke keep silent, can
we expect to elect Democratic State Tickcty
1t should be remembered that few republicans,
if any, who voted the democratic ticket at Il. Q
last election renounced their allegiance to the
republican party and became reliable democrats.
They still claim to be republicans; and having
pushed the carpctbaggcrs out of their party are
again anxious to see their old organization re-
vived and will vote as solid as ever for it ut the
next election. All they want is astute leaders.
We are truly pleased to see tho people moving
right in the matter, even in opposition to SO re-
spectacle and influential body as the cmcmbers of
the bar. The people will not sanction an act of
political ingratiude any quicker than they would
an net of ingratitude Of any other kind
They know the democratic party is not so firmly
established in the State as to allow us to risk
the losing of any votes or any influence. We
have serious disscnsiuns in our own ranks, and
it would be political suicide to drive from us
men of the other party who can materially
help us Their active cooperation WITH or their
silent endorsement Of the republican ticket, at
the next ri.c.o on would defeat us We just say
what we believe, and wo hope the Legislature
will act discreetly in the matter.