Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1882-10-27
The Judiciary Election.

No one should loose sight of the i'm
portance of the Judiciary election which
is stake place in this circuit this fall. All
should remember that the most important
position of Associate Judge on the bench
of the Circuit is to be filled by popular
election on the 7th of November AS
great as is the Importance of the Congress
ional election and as dsplorable as 1t
would be to have our district misrepresent-
ed by a Republican at the very time of the
great Democratic triumph in the country,
the Judiciary contest is not second to it
in the urgency with which it appeals to the
popular mind.
OF the intimate connection of the proper
discharge of the functions of the judicial
office with the happiness aud welfare OF
the massnes of the people, we have spoken
heretofore. The selection of pure and
worthy men to interpret and administer
the laws is Of the highest Importance to
the well being of a community. How
ever wise and enlightened may be the
laws enacted by the Legislature, and
however excellent the system of common
law which has descended to us by inherit
ance from the mother country, without a
pure, learned, broad minded and exper-
fenced judiciary to Interpret and give
them life, the blessings of good govern
ment would be lost to the people.
The two candidates who are contesting
for this office before the people this fall
are Hon. ROBERT FORD of St. Marv's
county, who has filled the office for the
last fifteen years, being the nominee of the
Democratic party and Mr.. j. PAaE: n
CRANE of St. Mary's county, who is the
nominee of the Republican party. All
will concede that no consideration of party
affiliations, except in so far as party affilia-
lions and antecedents may go to show the
character and integrity if the man, should
enter into the discussion of this question.
In supporting Judge Ford for the Judge
ship as we do most heartily and opposing
Mr.. Crane, AS we do in all earnest less we are
not actuated in the slightest degree by the
facts that the former has been endorsed by
the Democrats of this judicial Circuit and
that the latter sought and obtained
the Republican nomination. We are
guided alone by what We understand to
be the relative fitness ofthe two gentlemen
for the position.
Judge Ford has been thoroughly tried
upon the Bench, and his fitness is on all
sides conceded. Many contend that he
has displayed marked ability on the
bench; all agree that he has made cour-
teous, pure, efficient and conscientious
Judge. His fifteen years of judicial exper-
fence alone, aside from his extensive
scholastic and legal at'ainments, have af-
forded him most thorough judicial educ
alton. Recognizing the value of judicial
experience, and the propriety of the re-
election of good judges, the people of the
State have generally re-nominated the old
judges for another term. And, SO marked
has been this feeling that in the case Of
Judge Stump, he was re-nominated not
withstanding the protest of the people of
his own county.
Of Mr.. Crane We know very little of our
own knowledge, never having made his
acquaintance. All speak of him as clev-
er and honorable gentleman, but the re-
putation he bears in his profession is not
a distinguished one. 1t is said by those
who ought to know, that he does not sur
pass, if he attains to mediocrity in the
learning of his profession. We all know
that he has had no judicial experience
whatever, and his practice in his profes-
sion, it is said, has not been very extern
sive. Many of his personal friends were
very much surprised when they learned
that Mr.. Crane aspired to the judicial
honors.
For the reason, therefore, of the superior
fitness of Judge Ford for the position, we
think he ought to be earnestly supported
for reelection. All ought to know how
large and potent is the ignorant colored
vote in this circuit, which is relied on to
elect Mr. Crane, and ought to recognize
in that fact the necessity Of going to the
polls and voting for Judge Ford. 1t is
hoped that no reader of the TINES will fail
to do so.
The very day after the Ohio election
aaur Don C,y,orop op5 HE 70 III -