The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-03-08
EDITORIAL MATTER,
AN ELECTIVE JUDICIARY.

1882. 1t worked we'll and she adher-
ed to it until the State government
fell into the hands Of the political
adventurers in 1869, who sought to
make it a close. corporation for the
perpetuation of their own rule. Near
fy every other State in the Union
followed the example set by Missis-
sippi in 1892. The experiment prov
ed compile success. No State ever
had an ADLER judiciary than Mississip-
pi during her palmy days, when her
judges were elected by her people.
The system was abolished and the
appointing power was vested in the
Executive, when the sceptre was
taken from their hands with the bay
onet.-Jachson Clarion.
The Clarion will remember that
the same Constitution that took from
the ballot-box the names of Judges
and bestowed that power upon the
Governor and Senate, invested tens
of thousands of people with the fran
chise who had no conception of It's
best and noblest mission.
The Clarion must recognize the
patent fact that at no time since they
have taken part in public affairs have
these new voters as a mass manifested
any disposition to enter into elections
in other than partizan spirit, and that
as political partizans they are the
most consistent voting machines ever
invested with the right of suffrage
This being the case, is there the
slightest reason to hope that they
would be more easily induced to con
suit propriety, or more readily ylelc
to argument, persuasion and reason
in the selection of Judges and Chan
cellors, than they have heretofore ii
casting their ballots for candidate:
for county officers, Legislators ant
| Congressman ? On the contrary, have
we not seen them at each recurring
election, with few honorable eXcep
tions, gladly and readily espouse th'
cause of any man who appealed t'
them for their votes on the sol'
ground of opposition to the part.
that in the main represents the prop
erty and intelligence of the Common
wealth, regardless of their candidate
character or antecedents, and can W
hope for a miraculous "change
heart" on the part of these admirabl
schooled partizans,who are invited
participate in an election Of Judges
There is another side to this que'
tion.and so dark a side that we regre
fully approach its discussion;it is thi'
If we are to elect Judges we mu
expect two or more candidates
enter the fight for each vacanc,
whether we will it Or not, one of the'
candidates will be recognized by Il
Democratic party as its champio
and around the other will certain
in every instance rally the mass
those who upheld the regime to whit
all lovers of liberty revert with horr
and disgust. AT present the lawye
of the State are almost unanimous
), with us, but in the new order
Z things you will offer premium
/, desertion, which will have the ette
n to win many ambitious men from
i. and each man who goes out in purs
y of these new prizes will have his f
is lowers. If this is not the case, a
OF YOU retain intact the bar of the Sta
& that has so long and gallantly sto
by the peoples banner, there "
nevertheless be opposition candidate
we may perhaps have another carr
bag deluge, of "men learned in
law above their fellows" Fossil
all our apprehensions are falls
grounded, but is it worth while
view Of the fact that we have had
excellent judiciary ever since lo
and have an excellent and accepta
t. judiciary now, and have every rea
.al sh to believe that we will control
sa S. appointing power for years, to
eir eir any hazardous experiments
" Our friend must concede that
e appointing power is not lodged in
Governor alone: He can only nc
mate to the Senate, and the Senar
600 elected by popular vote, and al
GOO GOO lutely representing the people, I
00o 00O confirm or reject; and we know
oe ooe the experience of 1875, how re
600 600 the Senate is to respond to the will
500 500 the people, in opposition to the
700 ecutive, for the Democratic Senat
Ioo ss that year rejected the nomination
or three of the ablest lawyers in
snd aed State, whose personal integrity
IN, sNS., unimpeachable, and who were ma
: by Governor who enjoyed as Ii
ER. a measure Of popularity as any
who ever occupied the Execu
Mansion.
Y Under the existing system an