The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-31
s TOFFICIAL PAPER.1
satu, day, December 81, 1881
KoN-PARTIsANsHIP.


The Cambridge Chronicle has taken ex
ception to an article in the ARGUS, advo
eating the reelection of Judge Craig, sc
far as that article argued for him on the
grosnds of non partisanship. The Chron
icle claims that every man should be SO
far partisan that he should take decided
grounds on matters of political import
that it is his duty SO to do
In this the Chronicle i undoubtedly
right; and it would be II rash man who
would undertake to defend a contrary DO
sition. But in regard to what the Argus
means by non partisanship. the Chronicle
has mistaken our position. The ARGUS
never intended that it is qualification
for the position OF Judge or any other that
he belonged to no political party; it certain
| " argues rather against him than in his
favor; but the Argus does not say that it
is far preferable to take the question of
politics out of the selection of our Judges.
| In this county we elect two classes of of
ficers, which for the purposes of this
argument can be classed as judicial
and non-Judicial, or executive, admins
trive, and SO on. Now this latter class
carry on directly the affairs of the govern
ment, and with the President of the United
States as their head shape the policy of
the country This policy is the subject of
dispute between the two parties and in
consequence, it is the duty of these parties,
If they believe the principles they advo-
cot 80
the election of candidates of their own
way OF thinking; in that way only can they
advance the line of policy which they be-
Iieve in
But the judicial class is an entirely diff |
feEent matter. Judges are required to ex- |
pound the law and administer justice be-
tween claimants. Law has no relation to |
politics. there is no law that republicans
uphold or democrats oppose; it is en-
tirely non-partisan. The requirements we
ask for in our judges are that they shall
know the law, have the courage to ex-
pound it, and above ALL be honest; and
under the head of honesty is meant not
only that personal honesty which would
refuse tribes, but also that their Judgment
should not be biased by any present reas-
on, as his owing his election to any men
or clique OF men; in short that he should
take mp his duties entirely free man
with clean hands
Now the choosing of our Judges for /
party reasons has the effect of initiating ,
against these requirements 8
81 /
late because he is q democrat or republi- t
IAN for the same grounds The Chronicle ,
IAN easily see that in a democratic district. G
he nominee of the democratic convention 4
s-bound to be chosen and likewise a re- /
publican in u republican, in short nothing g
will be taken into consideration by the I
Foters, but the politics of the candidate.
Vow our esteemed contemporary is doubt
ess aware of the principles which oper-
tie, and the causes which work in the Sc {.
ection of party convention. q
here may be two or more
spirants for the nomination; at the same q
invention candidates for other Offices are tt
, be nominated; there Is contest in the m
onvention over these nominations. iu- HI
icial and all; then comes a trading q
votes, and the man who gets if
he nomination finds after it is accomplish W
that he is pledged to aid politica Ivy and ps
sherwise, number of men who are liable III
afterwards have suits before him. Can
} ACT impartially In deciding these cases7 be
gain: such choice viii oftentimes put in re
animation inferior men, In the first place oc
e best man will, from the nature of his fir