Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-25
STATE AND COUNTY POLITICS.

NCChty NS"NSNg'ND
STATE AND COUNTY POLITICS.
1t is generally understood that the is
sues of the August and November cleo
tisns to be held this year will be kept
apart as far as possible, and that each
one will be preceded by q separate and
distinct canvass. Therefore we presume
that the issues OF November, growing
out of the candidacy Of gentlemen for
governor, for congress, and for the legis
lature will not be lugged into the August
election. This does not foreclose dis
c%ussion, but it simpliGes the situation
and leaves a clearer field for those who
aspire 10 the various county offices to be
filled, and for positions on the Su'
preme bench. The first step taken in
this canvas was by the State Execu-
tive Democratic Committee which re-
Gently met at Nashville, and called a
judicial convention to assemble at the
capital on the 10th Of May to nominate
five candidates for Supreme judges.
We agree that such conventions should
be as lar removed as possible from
the ordinary agencies and influences Of
politics in the common s~ceeptation OF
the word, bit as there are few men Of
any influence or force Of character, in
public or private life, from the pulpit to-
the corner grocery, who can entirely
divest themselves Of party bias and par
tizan feeling, SO it is not to be expect
ed, while human nature remains as it Is,
that politics can be entirely eliminated,
eveR from a judicial convention. The
importance, however, Of selecting able
men, heightened, competent, and pure
in morals, is conceded by all. There ia
a disposition ell over the State to send
the very best men to this convention.
1t is no place for the ward politician or
the crossroads statesman, whose idea Of
political success is a big Office secured by
a liberal outlay of %extrsVsgant promises
and cheap whisky. Men of expert
snce, discretion, sound Judgment,
and unsullied character should be
chosen to constitute this convention.
The older and cooler.headed members
Of tHe bar should be largely represented,
though as long as the people have cases
to carry to the Supreme Court and do
the voting to elect its members, we can
not agree that any one class, however
intelligent and respected, should be en-
trusted with the entire power Of making
nominations. The lawyers have their
professional jeslousies, their likes and
dislikes, the same as other people, and
the action Of a convention composed en-
tirely Of lawyers would be liable to as
much criticism as a legislature chosen
from the bar. We do not understand,
however, that the members Of the profes
sion are DESTROYS Of assuming any such
responsibility. The only step taken 10
this county toward the appointment Of
delegates is a call issued for the members
OF the Democratic aud Conservative com.
mittee to meet at the court house in this
city on Monday, April the 9Th, at 10
o'clock in the morning, for the purpose
of firing the time for holding a con.
yention to elect delegates TO repre-
sent Shelby county in the State judicial
convention which meets on the 29,h Of
May. A county convention called TO
meet and choose delegates to a judicial
convention certainly demands good ma
terial and the s~triotest scrutiny Of the
people, which it will certainly receive.
Tho question here arises as to the organ.
ization Of the executive committee, of
which General Forrest was the chairman
up to the time Of his death. The most
OF the members have served two years,
the time for which they were originally
appointed at a msss-weeting held at the
Exposition building. A few designations
have taken place and the vacancies have
been filled by the committee as is usual
in such cases. The committee did SPLEEN
did work in the summer and fall Of 1876,
but has not had much to do since. There
has not be,n a meeting Of the executive
board or q quorum Of the whole commit.
tee since The close Of the Presidential
campaign. The most Of the members
feel that they have done their share OF
thsnkless work; that their time has ex-
pired, and that they should be relieved.
1t is supposed, then, that the committee
will resign ct the meeting called for the
9Th Of April, and that the duty of ap
pointing q new executive committee will
deyolve upon the convention or mass
meeting which may be called to appoint
delegates to the State judicial conven
ton at Nashville. Until this is done the
canvass cannot be considered as fairly
opened.