The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-09-08
A NEEDED REFORM.
The Separation of the Judiciary From
the Executive Department.

The Fusionists inserted in their
platform declaration in favor of elect
ing the Judges by the people. There is
no doubt but this declaration Is in accord
with the sentiment Of large number
Of people outside Of either the Green
back or Republican parties. The pres
ent mode of appointment did not origi-
nate with the Democrats and Conserva
tives. 1t was made part of the Con,
sti ution which was framed by the car,
pet baggers in 1868 and forced upon the
State at the point Of federal bayonets.
They have never been satisfied with it.
Under Republican rule. the power to
appoint Judges was prostituted to parti-
/ san purposes 1t is remembered that
Gov. Ames Cancelled the appointment
Of Chancellor brennan for refusing to
execute the Executive will. Under
Democratic rule, no such abuse has been
attempted. But the fact remains, and
it is palpable, that the present mode OF
appointment under the Constitution a.
it stands, renders the Judiciary Deepen
dent upon the executive department il
so far a. it creates motive for the
/ Judges, either in person or through THEN
/ immediate friends, to enter the political
arena and to strive for the re-nomina
ton and reelection of the Governor t.
whom their appointment is due and on
whose reelection their hopes rest for
continuation in office Such action is
founded in human nature-a grateful
appreciation Of past favors, and the hope
Of favors to come but it necessarily
/ interferes with the balance Of power
which the trainers of our American sys
/ tenn of fl ee government designed to es'
tablish because they deemed it essential
to the protection Of the rights and vel
/ fare of the people.
The Democratic party must lift the
wheels Of the State government out o
the rut in which they were placed by
the alien Adventures twelve years ago
1t has been delayed too long already
The Fusionists have had the tact to leaC
the way f. ~ not necessary to the re
formation of the evil which s'4res US il
the face, that the precise plan that they
have suggested viz, the election o
Judges directly through tbs ballot boz
should be adopted. II can be done b.
eIecting the Governor for one term (saS
of four years. and providing that h
shsil not be eligible TO two terms in sue
eession; OF by deyqiving the election 0
Judges upon the Leg1si4Iqrs YEqs.
membership is constantly changing; o.
electing by popular vote. In the event
Of the adoption of the last named plan
/ the Legislature could. not do a wiser
thing than to submit TO the people for &C
! ceptance and amendment clause in the
precise words of the Constitution thai
was overthrow by the federal authority
and was superseded by the present Gag
pet-bag Continuance. The first of these
three methods strikes us as sufficient fol
the present. but we have no particular
choice. One thing i certain, the reform
must he accomplished in some way, apG
our c&Ddidates will be expected by the
voters to declare their position on the
question. they can pqt neglect to DO 81
without placing their party and them
selves at great disadvantage, since
their Fusion adversaries have taken
their position in favor of the proposed
reform. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
party must keep step 10 l+e Tpsic of Tho
! popular demand.