Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-05-29
JUDGE kMAPP's RIDICULOUS
PROFESSIONS.

Il Il
ition That Knapp Assumes.
DEs MONIES, May 20, 1S7S.-Mv.
Editor: 1t has been . question for
some time how Judge Knapp, in the
event of being nominated by both the
Greenback and Democratic parties,
would reconcile in his candidacy the
conflicting principles and diverse pur-
poses of the two organizations. Hap
PLY he has himself volunteered to
solve the problem. In letter to the
Hon. M. M. Ham he states that there
would be no Inconsistency in his ac-
cepting . nomination from whatever
party might tender it, because in his
candidacy be represents only his own
ambition. Like every other politi-
clan whose desire for place and pre-
ferment surpasses the power of his
party to CRAFTY, he rises above the
level of partisanship into the exalted
sphere Of patriotism and becomes an
Independent. The duties of the Judi
cial Office, says he, are not political,
and therefore politics should have no
share in the choice of the Judge. In
maintaining the principle Of non
partisan judiciary, Judge Knapp is
not singular, but he is 80 in his meth
cd of reducing that principle to prac-
tice. If the election of Judge
should be exempt from political inter-
ference, then fortiors should his
nomination be go, for the evils Of our
political system are manifest in the
caucus and convention rather than ut
the polls. Moreover wrong political
principles should not receive the
countenance and support implied in
the candidacy of men of ability, in
tegrity and impartiality. The candi-
dacy of the Judge should be lifted
above partisan politics, by allowing
persons, of whatever political COM
plexion, q share in his nomination az
we'll as in his election. But how
stands the case with Judge Knapp ?
The convention which brought him
out, and to which he will primarily
owe his election, if he is elected, was
composed of mon of certain and we'll
defined political convictions, and ad-
mission to participation in this con-
vention was made expressly depen-
dent upon the possession or profess
sion of these convictions. And shall !
we expect non-psrtisan nominations
from partisan conventions Will
Judge Knapp pretend that he was
by the Greenback party
otherwise than as it's other candidates
were nominated9 The other Offices
are all as non partisan in the nature
of the duties they impose as is the
one to which he aspires, and if that |
sought only personal fit
ness why was its membership go linn
tied by requirements of certain polit- |
ical affiliations? Like begets like,
and we cannot hope for grapes from |
thorns or figs from thistles. 1t was
the duty of Judge Knapp to clear |
from doubt and distress by |
saying to that convention: "The Of
fee for which you have nominated |
me is not political one, and there
fore, despite your principles, / will |
accept your suffrages." This much |
was in common honesty due the con-
vention, for 1 affirm what Judge |
Knapp will not deny, that had be |
avowed himself hard-money man,
he had not been nominated. Hon
esty demanded that he should accept |
the nomination in the spirit of parti-
sanship in which it was offered or |
that he should decline it,-for which |
partisanship may be not an essential |
qualification of q good Judge, perfect
honesty is. And now, having risen |
above party, and anxious only TO |
serve the people as q faithful and up
judge. will he be fair enough |
and brave enough to tell them Just |
what his political convictions are FL
What are his views upon finance,
upon tariff and the various other is-
sues of modern polititics? Or are
his politics summed up in his letter |
to Mr.. Ham. viz: device to'get Of |
flee, some way, any way? This he |
has left unexplained, but this we have |
q right to know. He may have, as he |
assumes, personal fitness for the |
place SO evident and eminent as to
redeem him from ell political here
sizes. But while Judge has right
to entertain whatever views he deems
right, and while his fitness for his |
place may not be thereby impaired,
he has no right to conceal his views |
and allow his friends to traffic on his
silence. The people respect parti-
san, they despise trimmer and they |
will teach Judge Knapp that they can |
man VINO is independent |
from principle from one who is neu-
tral for a place. A DEMOCRAT.