New-York tribune., 1880-02-16
1op1 pARKrR,s NOMINATION.


VARIOUS REASONS FOR THE FLAGRANT VIOLATION
or GOOD FAITH-HIs CONFIRMATION NOT PROB
ABLE
,r,ov rue REcuLA AR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
TpxSroN. n j., Feb 15.-The good people OF
New-Jersey are tenderly inclined toward Governor
Mcclellan. They regard him with as much COM
placency as a decorative smulacrum OF executive
authority, but they never accuse MN OF uoins
much of any governing on his own account. ihey
pever think Of holding him responsible for any
administrative policy or appointment ana all the
blessing or cursing for acts, winch by ponte nc-
ton are styled the Governors, they Destpw upon
the statesmen who steer him.
There are occasions. however, when doubts are
suopested as to what particular navigator has hold
of his tiller. and last week the State was mildly
s,irred to INQUIRE who nominated Joel Parker Tor
Justice of the Supreme Court, and this question
wss preliminary to another one, to VIII: haI uocS
this amazing nomination signify
The first oueston is an easy one. There can be no
doubt that Secretary Kelsey and Senator Randolph
remain on deck and perhaps their reasons Tor g'hd-
ING the Governor into so crooked and treacherous
channel and leaving him stranded upon MS own
formal and solemn declarations IN favor OF noh-
partisan judiciary were not remarkably subtle nor
profound. A.. N.
Tn the first place it may be assumed that MI
Parker asked for the place. His legal attainments
are NOT SO vast as TO cause a spontaneous uprising
of the bar TO request his election to the bench III
wonld never occur to anyone to make Mr. farker
over into Judge ON the ground of his peculiar ht-
ness for the position. No doubt he pettloned IN DIS
own behalf as he had perfect right to do because
the salary of Judge is considerably more than
LAWYER of his grade can earn by practice IN re-
mote County Court; and nowthat he has dug out OF
his receiyership of the New-Jersey Mutual ABOUT
all that such mine contains he is willing to resign
before he is visited by the storm of odium which
sooner or later seems to be the fate of even an hon
est receiver. Mr.. Parker is an honest, tender
hearted man. and he would not enjoy being as
son1ted nv a column of widows and orphans
Emolument to the extent of $4,000 year will
.ocount for Ex-Governor Parkers desire, and Mr..
Kelsey and Senator Randolph were graciously IN
cIined to crafty his ambition because 1T would
please their party TO see the Supreme Court
.6xad y so that it would stand six Democrats to
three Republicans or better still, seven Democrats
TO two Republicans for they have one more chance
70 pack the court, instead of leaving 1t to consist
--as it now does-of five Democrats and four he
nnb,;cans. II is an open secret that they offered
the place to Governor Bedle, who is not small
hone lawyer like the other gentleman from Mon
nortb and S9 600 had no seductions for him. After
Covernor Bedle had bowed his thanks, the trouble
haoon in earnest for the New-Jersey lawyers OF
recognzed character and accomplishments do not
belong 10 the Democratic church. Mr.. Parker Is
fair sample of the material which renamed. lie
probably knows as much about law as he does
about anything else; and although muddy
minded gentleman, he is patient and industrious.
If;t the first duty Of one Of MrKelseys judges to
he a An inyeterate Democrat, no one can deny that
Joel possesses this prime qualification and perhaps
the State should be grateful that worse man was
not selected.
n basaeen said that Senator Randolph, imagining
that the Presidential lightning might strike some
where in New-Jersey, was willing to place Joel
nnaar shelter. But the ex-Governors confirmation
hv n Repnblican Senate would ony make him
o,ore eouspicuons mark for any random shot. III
ls more probable that Mr.. Randolph II he had any
priyate purpose in the matter, was thinking thar
his Senatorial term was drawing Close and that
at might leave matters less complicated II Bedle
and Parker were both ont of the way
Altogetber the case is not surrounded with any
thick mystery. and sagacous people 90 not discover
in il any farreaching political intrigue 1t is vio-
lantlv argued by a few limber-backed Republicans
thai Mr. Parker ought to be confirmed because no
was sbrewdly set up TO be relected that the monl-
nation was sly game of Mr. kelseys 10 MAKE a
martyr out of Joel that this is the only way IN
which the nomination for Governor can be secured
for him this FALL and that he the strongest can
didate the Democrats cond name. IL Is no1eo
sh; vev of The matter are gentlemen who are not
usually so anx ous TO thwart Mr. Kelsey,s plans.
T,ev hre men VINO oppose investigation who think
fhaf fhe $4,000 which Mr. Kelsey has taken
during the present term tor mailing printed slips OF
the laws to IS not or at & aSst n
pleasant for Mr.. Kelsey, if the Legislature SHOULD
yenriest him not to do any more. All TINS talk OF
Democratic desire Tor Joers ie1sctlon may uc sis
mo danger OF third term in New-Jersey. and Mr.
Parker is welcome to all the advantage whlch MS
y
Fortunaiely none of the State Senators take thus
view of the matter. They all willing to give the
Coverpor's nominations respec .ul treatment and
they adjourned without taking hasty action. They
confirmed the Democratic Law Judges whom
the Governor named IN violation OF the noL,partlsan
rules which he had himself laid down. They con-
firmrd his Democratic County Prosecutors. They
confirmed his Democratic Chancellor; aud all
This In spite of the partisan precedent set
iS's hw the last Democratic Senate in rejecting
Republican Judges of District Courts ap;
pointed by Governor bedie. But they understand
Senaten means something. They realize their re-
sponsibry for preserving the non-partisan coDsti-
fnt,on OF the Supreme Bench They feel that an
srenment might perhaps be framed to excuse them
for Confirming such Democrat as Ex-Governor Bedle
because ne has already given proof OF his excellent
JoeI Parkers original giftsor
which would justify them In consenting to have
him lifted upon the bench even If he were not po
They are hardly in the humor to be driven by the
threat brandished over them by the Governor
managers-for another Judge remains to be chosen
and his name is withheld as formal menace-anC
they do not forget that while they have been con
frming Democrats all along. IT has been, with the
facit understanding that as Republican Justices o
The Supreme Bench retired. Republicans would bt
named as their successors. The nomination of Joe
Parker is q distinct and fagrant violation of eooC
faith, and it is nomination not fit to be made OF
any Trounds The Senate will doubtless have suffi
cient regard for Its dignity and duty to say " no
with deliberate emphasis, and notify the Mcclellan
Cabinet that it will have to try again.
BLAINE THE FAvORITE IN JEFFERSON
AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IN HIS FAvoR-THl
VOTE IN sEAERAL TOWNS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBusE.l
xxr. Ill