Daily Republican., 1880-12-13
JudSs Houa,on'. Confess.


The State Sentinel has been looking
through the State historical archives
and finds very oonclusively that tbs
Hon. John W. Houston had honorable
precedent in retaining his seat on the
judicial Bench while he was at tbs
same time candidate for Congrass and
as the result of sudh examination the
Democrats dropped their cry Of what
they called q dissertation of the Bench
The Democrats delight in reminding
the Republicans tn at they have left the
pure, virtuous principles loved by John
II. Clayton and other notable Whie
leaders in the days Of their asosnden
sy in the State, but now whom one o
these same old Wing leaders, who hap
pens to bs on the bench Of the State,
accepts q nomination at the hands OF
the Republican party for the office Of
Congressman, these Democrats hold up
their hands in holy horror to think ol
the insult offered to the memory oi
Clayton and Richard II. Baysrd, emf
nent Wing leaders, and Of the desc
sration OF the judicial srmino. The
Sentinel punctufes this little bubble oi
pretended purity, by showing that
there were at least two cases where
members Of the Judiciary were named
for and elected to political Offices, while
performing their judicial functions,
In 1887 John N. Clayton resigned
from the United States Senate, and in
his stead Thomas Clay ton was returned,
his opponents being James A. Bayard
and Archibald Hamilton. At this time
political excitement ran high, yet
Thomas Clayton, one Of the purestmen
that ever wore the judicial ermins Of
Chief Justice, thought 1t quite proper
TO allow an active CANVASS in his behalf
for the Senate, while he sat upon the
Bench, and he even went farther by
stipulating with the then Governor
that upon his election TO the Senate
John N. Clayton should succeed him as
Chief Justice. This stipulation was
strictly carried out.
Another instance is referred to still
more striking. In 1888 Richard Il
Baysrd uncle Of the present Senator,
Thomas F., was elsOted to the United
States Senate by the Wings. His term
expired in 1887. In 1888, by means OF
q "Reform movement" in Sussex, one
House Of the Legislature was Whig
and the other Democrat, bat the Whigs
had majority of one on isint ballot.
When the time caTus for meeting in
joint session to elect Senator the Dem.
oerats refused to NEST and so Delaware
was left with butone Senator. In 1889
John NJ. Clayton resigned the Office OF
Chief Justice, with the understanding
that Richard H. Bayard shonld be his
successor, which understanding was
strictly adhered to. John M. Clayton
then took the stump In that memorable
aud exciting campaign Of 1910, when
it was understood that If the Wings
were successful Richard H. Bsyard was
n resign the Chief Justices seat and
ns mt to the Senate. The Wings
go coessful and the understanding
wss r,sts, adhered to.
10 ,ha.. ltical combinations were
right in the "a, IS Of Wing Asoendenoy'
thsn Ron. John v n'u9'on 10 no' oh'y
right in allowing h 'DSSlf 10 Dc made
! candidate for Congre. Int he isrisht
IN oortsating the peat Of 'lS competitor
elected by fraud.
WHATEVER ELSE may be said o. freSl-
dent Hayes administration, it ca. 'no'
be denied that it LAS been a fnanci,