Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-10
ELECTION or Amendment.

In a few days the General Assembly
will enter on the election Of Judges and
Solicitors General for One-half of the jul
dicial circuits of the State. At every
meeting of the General Assembly much
time is devoted to the performance Of this
duty, and the wisdom Of the provision OF
the constitution which devolyes the cleo
ton of these officers on the legislative
branch Of the State government has often
been called in question.
The election of Judges and Solicitors
General by the General Assembly is GER
tainly the most expensive method that
could be devised. Directly and indirectly,
two or three weeks are always consumed
in these elections, as little other business
can be done until the elections are over
and the candidates sent to their homes.
As the cost of the General Assembly to
the State is some 1900 per day, it will
be seen that the expense account
of these elections is no trifling
matter. But leaving the expense
argument out Of the question, there
is another great objection 10 legislative
electiOns-it is sometimes the case that
the men chosen are not those best quail
fed for the positions, but those who have
the shrewdest wire-pullers and log
rollers enlisted in their behalf. There is
more trading in these elections than is
generally supposed, and there is no
practical way to prevent this trading as
long as the present system remains in
vogue. Besides, members of the General
fu1- TO IN
inquire into the qualifications of candi-
dates.
Should a change be made in the man.
Her of electing Judges and Solicitors,
there are only two modes likely to be con-
Standardization by the people of the
judicial circuits, and appointment by the
Governor with confirmation by the
Senate. To the first method the objection
is made that it would have a ten
dency to hamper the officers in the
discharge of their duties by max
ing them cater to the popular
will rather than adopt heightened, indie
pendent course, and that it would not
look well to see candidates for these high
judicial positions electiOneering with
voters and adopting the methods of petty
politicians. This would be the almost
certain result Of making these officers
elective by the people. 1t is argued, also,
that the people would be even less likely
to properly ascertain and consider the
qualifications of the candidates than the
General Assembly.
The appointment of Judges and So
licitOrs by the Governor was in vogue for
some years prior to the adoption of the
present constitution. There will doubt
less be an effort made during the present
session Of the General Assembly to so
amend the constitution as to again adopt
that method. While it is objected by
some that this puts too much power and
influence in the hands of the Governor,
it is claimed, on the other hand, that this
power has rarely been abused, and can
not easily be abused, as 10 appointment
is effective until confirmed by the Senate,
the Governor simply having the right to
nominate the candidates.
There are many minor arguments for
each of the three plans mentioned, but
there is little doubt that the last plan
most cOmmends itself to thinking men in
every part of the State.