New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-24
allowed to choose from Or to urge all good
citizens in both cities to register
Uuy NOT WAKE TT UNANIMOUSf


In the fall campaign of 1877 one OF the
Democratic factions of this county put III nohii-
nation for Justice of the Supreme Court a
candidate of such purity and ability that not
only did the other faction indorse 1t, but the
Republicans adopted him as their candidate
also. and the Hon. John r. Brady was elected
unanimously by a vote of $4,000 While the
high character of the man had something to
do with bringing about his Endorsement by the
Republicans. there was an important principle
at the bottom of their action.
They held that the judicial Office was not one
into which politics ought to enter; and that so
long as a candidate had recognized ability ana
unouestioned honesty it was of no consequence
what his poltical views were. 1t was the true
princjple: the action of Endorsement was a
wise one and the presence on the bench TO-
dav of Judge Brady justifies the course TAKEN
Not only that. but the action was one which has
gone far toward purifying and making posi-
bile the further publication of our politics IN
relation to the Judiciary.
The District Attorney is in a certain sense Il
judicial officer. He is, theoretically, the prose-
cutting officer of the criminal court, but prac-
tically. by reason of his relation to the Grahd
Jury. he acts in judicial asd advisory char-
acter 1t is safe to say that the Dlstilcl-
Attorney of great county like New-lork
decides more cases than any judge on the
bench: and that he privately settles as much
litigation rs he publicly conducts. If he did
not the courts would be literally Overrun with
the trial of private animoSltIes' instead Oh oci,S
employed to punish criminals against the puohc
peace. 1t is cmincntly proper, therefore,
that this important Office be eliminated from
notifies rs far as it be possible; and no better
onportunitv has ever offered than Is now pre-
scented.
The election of Mr.. John McKcon, who has
been nut forward by all the Democratic orG'hl-
z,tions. is now conceded; in fact no one thinks
70 Question il. He is an honest man, as we
have already taken occasion to say nopody
has ever questioned his uprghinesS. lie Is
naturally a conservative man; conservatism
generally comes with advancing years ana
increasing wisdom. Nominated by the faction
which lac has long opposed, and indor>ed
b,, chat with which he has symplihzcd, it l.
natural to .irnposc that he viii feel no par
tisln aniuosities. Suppose the her"pi'H"
Convention tomorrow shOuld qHc'iy W'Nc
his nomination unanimous, rs III the case %
.ludgc Brady, would not that acton tie ac-
cepted lev the people as a strong ana cmph'lle
ey,,cs,iou of ouinion that the Office should be
made nou-noiitcall Could Mr.. Mckcon un-
dor.t,ud il rs other than an expression 81
faith that hc would conduct the Once
without party or political bias' Would 1t
not I've a great step in the direction oi
that hionly important reform OF eliminating
fine Judiciary elections from politicsP We be
Iiryc if would be a wise, honorable and alto
octbrr progressive step in the right drec-
ton.
There i another sense in which this would
he q fitting thing to do. The Courts "l Cen
cr,,l SESSIONS. whicl, try the great majority OF
thc indictments found 10y the Grand jury
under the advice of the District Attorney
may h, said to hc insruauhly connected with
fine Observation-Disclosures suilirr lhcJudgcs iihcs"
thrce several courts must OF necessity cooperate
il many matters. Asatprcscnt conSt'iu.cd-and
for SOME years to come there VII hr no ci''-
tions for these iudrrships tho sessions '"''i'
may be- said 10 be u-politicdl. dudgc Sln}''
WAS the nominee Of rammIny lIall, ana party
lines were pretty much broken when he was
elected. JUDGE GilIrrslccyr represented the
Anil amnlay faction when elected. hu' be
received vote from both factions and the
Hcpuhlicnns which was wholly muilucncrd 10y
politics. judge Cowins was Iun ~ Republic
can without much hope of an election. hr' his
vote was 50 unexpectedly large ~ to indicate
that al parties had voted for him; be- had at
least 1900 Democratic votes, and the
large floating vote OF the best men who
on principle disregard party aiH'iaion
in the selection of judges WAS given
to him without reserve. Suppose Rrpuh-
leans aid 10 put Mr.. MckrOn into the
District-Auorncysmp along with these, his nat
Ural allies, is it not reasonable 70 suppose that
in the selection of his assistants Mr.. Mckcon
will not consult bis political Drcjudiccs but
appo;nt either those who are Indifferent TO
party. or recognize each party and faction which
supported him And would not such nc, on
his part 20 far toward milking the place nom
nolitiral AMI give assurance to the public that
it will not again be used for political purposes
We commend the suggestion to the con-
sideration of the Republican County Con-
vcntion. Practically, the candidatarc of n
Republican against Mr.. Mckcon would be
useless. If there are any considerations Of
policy or organization requiring MS 50 make Il
losing campaign for this Office, We are unable
to perceive them. They are of questionable
propriety, if any whatever exist, compared TO
the importance of indicating again, as we did
in the nomination of Judge Brady, our faith
in the wisdom and prudence Of making jul
dicial or even scmi-judcial nominations ire
spcctiyc of politics.
MONEY And BUSINESS