The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-03-13

judiciary be made with reference to
qualification and fitness. So impor-
tant is it that the judge be man Of
ability and integrity that it seems Of
little moment what his political faith.
Wisconsin needs no political jatdges.
1t is not desirable that the bench
should be republican simply because
the majority Of the State may be so.
We had reason to hope that there
would be no more partisan contests
for seats on the supreme bench of
Wisconsin.
Our present Chief Justice was elect
ed without opposition. lllustrious for
his learning and ability the people
cared not to consider his political
telets. Such was also the case with
the two additional judges recently
chosen. No party machinery was
deemed necessary and by common
consent the caucus was dispensed with.
Notwithstanding this well settled
CONVICTION and these and other whole
some precedentS the Democratic main
ayers propose to involve us in q poziti-
cal canvass to choose the successor Of
JUn5e Cole whose term is just about
expiring.
Nh. Rankin, Chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Genital Committee, has
called convention and a p01'ty 22on1j-
nation has been made. We venture
the opinion that Mr.. Rankin would
not recommend this as the best meth
cd of selecting q judge Of the Supreme
Court. But at this particular time
the political chiefs think it sagacious
to have q War-dance this Spring. to
prepare the warriors for the Fall
campaign. They are willing to sacri-
flee a pria1cip1e to gain Il point. They
are content to set dangerous prece-
dent it by so doing they increase the
chance of naming the next Governor
Judge Cole has been on the Supreme
Bench for about rs years and has
given universal satisfaction. During all
this time, he has been removed, by his
duties SO far from the political arena
that he has ceased to be partisan and
has no political record that could be
obnoxious to any one.
Everybody understands in general
way that experience is Of value in all
departments Of life. Few can appre-
ciate how Invaluable to the court is the
judicial experience of Judge Cole. He
is familiar not only with the decisions
OF the court on every question but also
with it's traditions and M7aaCritten dicta
We cannot afford to lose this man at
the very time when he is capable OF
doing the best work for the State
Judge Cole is not only an able jurisi
but is a safe, conscientious and conser
yatiye man.
Against such man the party lead
ers propose to nominate Judge Goth
rem, as q democrat and therefore they
infer all democrats will support him.
We deprecate this ill-adyised actor
OF the party managers, and hope the
people will rise up in their might an(
administer fitting rebuke. A Judicial
position ought not to be considered
party spoil, and the people should bt
prompt to protect the judicial ermint
from all faint.
Judge Cole does not stand as tn,
candidate Of any party. He has beer
called out by the members Of the Leg
islature of 1879 without regard to par
ty, and when Mr.. Rankin's convention
assembled nearly every democrat il
the Assembly had signed this cal
agreeing to support Judge Cole. Thu
wisdom of the people in ignoring pc
htlcal considerations, Miie4l selecting
their judges has been amply verified
by experience.
Wisconsin to-day has court of las
resort of which any State in the Uniol
might be proud. The opinions of thi
court carry great weight wherevel
cited. They are read as models of le
gal literature in Eastern colleges. Ii
the hands of this court the great inter
ests OF the people, their liberty AM
property, are safe.
This is no time to try doubtful polit
zeal experiment Wehope the peopl
will take an interest in the comm,
election and see to it that their faith
ful servant, Judge Cole is, returned
Let every voter cast a judicial ballot.