The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1879-11-22
THE DISTRICT JUDGEsHIP.

i
date for District Judge which la!
been made, by il handful Of chronic
malcontents, the pretext for boiling
from tho regular organization ant
setting up i sileshow Of their own
| is based upon and justified by the de-
claration Of principles adopted by the
rccen: Republican State convention
The Twelfth, plank Of the platform
framed By that body reads as follows
Twelfth-We hold that the judiciary
department OF our government should %
kept FREQ and unpolluted by the turmoil
and contest Of politics, and recognize
that there may be and is at all times an
honest difference Of opinion among the
most learned upon the proper construc-
ton Of constitutional and statutory en-
actments which honest difference OF op-
inion necessarily leads to different politi-
cal affiliations. We hold that each OF
tho great political parties should be rep
resented upon the bench.
This means that, i, the selection Of
judges, regard should be had to the
character, capacity and legal qnalifi-
cati0EA Of the candidates rather than
their political opinions. A true judge
is one who SO conducts himself upon
the bench that neither his political
belief, religious faith or personal
prejudices will be made apparent by
his Interpretation and administration
Of the laws. It is commended by some
Of our bult.,s that the twelfth plank
Of the party platform is designed only
as a notification that Judge Beattie
will, if elected Governor, place Dem
ocrats us well rs Republicans On the
bencl, Of the Supreme Court. We
admit that the declaration inclndes
this contingency. hut it is preposter-
Gus to assume that the Republican
convention has delegated to one Of
it's candidates authority to carry ont
q line Of policy With respect to
Supreme Judges which the people
may not also follow III the election Of
their District Judges.
In accepting the Republican candi,
dacy for Governor, Judge Beattie
avowed the belief that 4 Platform and
ticket could be presented that would
secure the approval and cooperation
Of men who have not acted with the
party heretofore. ,i'llis declaration in
dicates the policy to be pursued il
the pending canvass, and the nomi-
nation Of Judge Dutfel III this district
is in conformity Herewith. Every
Republican must admit
that the only hope Of victory i'll this
State lies in the strengthening Of the
party BY winning recruits from
the liberal ana conservative
elements Of the opposition, and the
men who denounce the only means
available for the accomplishment OF
This purpose, are untrue both to the
spirit and letterofthe Republican lpat
form, and are either malicious or
obstacles to the success Of
he party to which they profess
We concede that in any given case
where Republican asprant for office
possesses equal qualifications will,
the: candidates, no fanlt could he
Onnd With Republicans for taking IN
he member Of their own party il
reference to his competitors, but no
ncl state OF affairs exists iii this
judicial district. 1t can not tie denied
hat ID all the attributes and acquire
lents necessary to constitute
udg", Hon. Henry L. Dutftl is vast
' the superior Of Mr. ClIeevers. MI.
)utftl las been on the bench Of tile
district Court two years, and his adj
,irablc course il a guaranty that he
ill be in the future as lie has been
] the past, i wise, just, non partisan
nd merciful judge. The only claim
Inch Mr.. Cheevers has to the posi-
on is his Republicanism, while, on
le other hand, it is 4 notorious fact
lat he IS the victim of shortcomings
lat, under the new constitution.
'oull render his removal from tie
an almost inevitable conse-
nence at his election. Some terse
ritter has said that "a judge with
ut the qualities which shO. III adorn
re Judicial office is moral,
gal and political absurtlity," and all
ell meaning :nd discriminating
tizens, regardless Of their political
pinions, will indorse the sentiment.
would be i vain and foolish thing
y the Republicans Of this district to
peat the mistake they unwittingly
ade il 1876 Of clccting Judge who
disqualified, and especially when,
} ia the present instance, such nc
on wonld be il direct contrayen-
On Of the principles and policy of
'eir party rs declared to the people
Louisiana. They can not hope 10
'ccced hy practicing hypocrisy, and
would be the most glaring hypoc- {
s. to make nominations Of such