Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-03-30
Making a Life Tenure.


As question of economy, so far as
it regards Judge Cothren's administra-
ton in the courts of the district. has
been easily exploded under the ham
mer Of fact, the sole argument left, and
one which is being constantlv urged by
his Honor's friends and workers is that
claiming that he has had the experience
of many years on the bench while to
change would bring in new man who
has had no experience
To follow this style of argument out
to its logical conclusion would create a
practical life tenure in the iudgeship
of the different districts, rs, each wear
adding experience to those gone before
any proposition for change would
necessarily bring in a new man, hence
the only thing necessary would be to Sc
cure an election Immediately upon the
death of a former incumbent and the
successful competitor would have to
go no farther. He would be fixed
star for the remaining term OF his nat
ural existence. Under q monarchial
form of government this might not be
Objectionable but in this free born Re
public, where every Office is open to
even the lowest and humblest citizen, it
has, to say the least, an odd sound.
Experience is an excellent thing when
the mind is young, active, and vieor-
Gus, but when old age creep on apace
and the advancing years serve only to
set the molds of dogmatism in solder
lines, experience degenerates into stub
bornness, and we are treated to smile
exhibition Of death in life.
In the present case the argument is
lacking in many essential elements of
strength. 1t is not only metropolitan
but il is dangerous in the extreme. If
gray hairs and lettering steps are to be
the first qualification for judicial prefer
ment or political honors how long would
it be before the state and the whole ma
ton would be stripped OF what now con
stitutes the bone and sinew of our insti-
buttons, the youth. If the cdict goes
forth that young men must stand aside
until their steps are palsied and their
wits dull, under the plea that not until
then viii they have the proper expert
encc, what object have the youth Of the
land in pressing forward along the gall
ing road of honest ambition if the sun
which lights the pathway is obscurcd.
Yet Mr., Clementson against whom
the plea of youth and inexperience is
urged has already passed down the
sheltered path on shady side Of
life. Forty years of study, and
toll, and battle with sharp wits and
subtitle theories, ought to have brought
a rich harvest of that much priced EEK
perience" on which his opponents set
so much store. just in the prime of
life, with his mind richly stored with
the gieanings Of the giants in legal lore,
to the impartial observer he would seem
to be the filter of the two present candi-
dates, to bear the official ermine, and
such it begins to appear is the verdict Of
the people, who, Disguised with the
sophistries and weakbacked arguments
urged against him are flocking to his
standard by scores. The fact that not
one word has been breathed against his
fitness for the bench outside of the soph-
istical argument of experience is proof
sufficient that even the warmeSt friend
of Judge Cothren admits his suitable
less. While reasons by the score can be
presented upon accepted proof Of facts
why Judge Cothren should not be elect
ed. There has not one been brought
why the Hon. George Clcmentson should
not be honored by seat on the bench
Think Of that, reader; reflect on it, and
then cast your vote for man of the
people.