The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-10-21
THE IUDGESHIPS.

THE JUDGESHIPS.
AS will be seen in another column, the
Republican Judicial Convention, which
assembled at Centreville, on Tuesday
last has presented to the voters of Cecil
county as candidates for Associate
judges, the names of George NJ. Rus
sum, Esq, of Caroline county, and Geo.
4. Blake, Esq, of this town. Mr.. Rus
sum is IA leading lawyer of Denton, who
has been heretofore prominently before |
the people of the old FIRST Congressional
District as the Republican candidate for
the Lower House against the Hon.
Hiram Mccullough, of this county. MIR. |
Russum is a gentleman of undoubted |
ability as a lawyer, and holds a recog
nized position at the Denton Bar. He is
popular personally, and should command
large VOTE not only in his own county,
but in the adjoining counties, in the
courts of which he has an extensive
practice, and where he is favorably
known. 1t will scarcely be deemed
necessary for us to make any extend
ed reference to Mr.. Blake personally.
He has been long and favorably known
in Cecil county, his professional career
having been confined to his practice in our
local courts 1t is but deserved recogni-
ton. however, of his merits as Il lawyer to
say, that his natural ability and assidu-
Gus study, have given him an enviable
position among the younger lawyers at
the Cecil Bar. To the possession of those
innate traits of character which have ever
distinguished him as a gentleman and
man of honor, are added high social
qualities. genality, and in q marked de-
gree Il hahtua! consideration for the
feelings, sympathies and prejudices of
others. In temperament he is cautious
and conservative the latter element of
his character having been particularly
noticeable in his political career. AL
though on principle a pronounced Repub-
lican, yet he has always exhibited suf-
fcient independence of political opinion
to indicate the possession of judgment
and the habit of deliberate conviction.
These natural qualities, should lie be
elected to the associate judgeship, will
serve him in good stead upon the Bench.
There is one light in which his candi-
dacy may be viewed that should secure
for him especial consideration from a
very large and influential class of voters,
not only in Cecil county, where local op-
ton is no longer a doubtful experiment,
but in the other counties of the district,
where similar prohibitory law prevails,
and where the best sentiment of society
sustains it. We refer to Mr.. Blake's
known attitude upon the temperance
| question and his active and prominent
participation in the preliminary local OPP
ton canvass in Cecil county. We think
it very desirable, in view of any possible
or probable attempt in the future to set
the law at defiance, to have men upon
the Bench about whose position on this
question there can be no doubt or suspi-
cion. The people of Cecil county expect,
and have a right to demand, strict and
impartial enforcement of the provisions
of this law. The emphatic majority in
its favor was in every sense sufficient to
secure its certain and speedy enforce
ment.
To this end, it would be very desirable
to have as resident Judge in Cecil, man
with positive convictions on this subject,
and the weight of whose personal as well
as official influence, would be exerted in
it's favor.
In this respect Mr. Blake's candidacy
will commend itself alike to Democrats
and Republicans who favor prohibition.
Another legitimate argument in his
favor, and one which at the present we
merely glance at is the desirability of
having the Bench other than strictly par
tisan. The Republican Convention hav-
ing conceded the election of Judge Rob-
inson, why should not the nom partisan
and conservative sentiment of the dis
trict be recognized in the selection of at
| least one judge in the three from the
other political partyo When the nom
partisan character of the office itself is
considered, We think this point we'll
| taken. 1t is true that the elective sys-
tenn throws the selection of our judges
into the line of partisan nomination.
This, considering the purely business
character of the office of a judge, is
serious objection to the present methods
and an evil which all intelligent men
recognize. Our judicial system, as well
as our school system might be eminently
| improved, could they be removed beyond
the domain of politics. There being
little prospect, however, at present-ex-
cept by occasional independent move
ments-to accomplish this, the next best
thing in the interest of all the people, is
the recognition of both parties IN these
important offices, provided, always, that
men of qualification are secured. The
Democrats all over Maryland have for
years, by virtue of their party majority,
| SouIioiicu diI IioSc vi III DIS well
as those of low degree. In the mean
time, the Republican sentiment has so
increased, that to-day it is almost gener-
ally conceded, even by the Democrats
themselves. that Maryland, outside Of
the City of Baltimore, is a Republican
State. Certain it is that in this Judicial
Circuit the Democratic majority is mar
row one, and the Republican taxpayers
and land owners are too important factor
to be overlooked in the selection of the
men, who are to preside in the courts that
are to determine questions effecting their
property and personal rights. The time
is good one to break the partisan solid
ity of the present Bench, and one Repub-
lican representative thereon, in view of
the numerical strength of the Republ-
cans in the district, is, we think, mod
est demand.
he{1eopIes QoI""n