Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1884-06-18

will be six or more Dames before the
voters of this Judicial district for the
two judgeships TO be filled this fall.
Three of these candidates will probably
be in this county, and three in Law
renee county. The Republican nomina-
tion of Mr.. Hazen in that county seems
to be meeting with objection there as
is that of the one made in this county of
Mr.. Greer. Not only is his fitness for
the place also called in question, but
now the more serious charge is made
of money being freely used by his friends
to procure his nomination at the late
primary in that county. We learn that
legal proceedings will be instituted and
bills laid before the Grand Jury OF the
Court in session there this week, look
ing to the indictment of persons
charged with bribery and the
use of money at the primary,
for the procuring of votes on the
Judge contest there We have no de-
tails at present, but it is said that mat
ters in the Republican ranks are very
much complicated in Lawrence county
on the Judge question and new can
didates may be brought out.
In this county it is well known that
great dissatisfaction exists, and COM
plants made, at the manner In which
Judge McJunkin was defeated at our
primary. His friends claim that it was
unfairly done. That his personal enc
mics kept back until the latest hours OF
the primary, and then made public,
charges that there was no time left
to answer or explain. These and other
considerations, that we need not allude
to now, are the reasons given by his
friends why he should appeal to the
people of the district for yindicatlon.
The non political nature of the othce'
and the great Importance to all OF keep
ing it as free from politics as possible,
are reasons also urged why the people
should be afforded an opportunity to
vote for the best qualified men for their
Judges.
Judge Bredin, in his letter published
in all the papers here last week, clearly
defined his views and future course on
the Judgeship question. He announ-
ced to all that he is and will be can
didate, without regard to whether he
received the Democratic nomination or
not at the Convention of that party
held Monday last. His reasons are
those given by all disinterested citizens.
They apply to all party nominations
for that office. And they cannot be
nswered-because they are true He
declares "that the position is not
political one and should not be a re-
ward for political services, nor should
active politicians be suffered to treat it
as at their bestowal; nor the people be
reduce d by the machine men of both par
ties to choice between political mana
gers as to that Office which most closely
affects their dearest rights and inter-
ests.n He further afirms that ''No hon
est Judge can reward either political or
personal friends, or punish enemies as
such;" Who can deny this e? And if no
honest Judge can on the Bench favor
party friend, wherein is party friend
interested in giving a party vote for
him If the Judge is honest he cannot
waver d hairs breadth.from the law and
the evidence. 1t is only then where
the Judge is not honest that party
favors can be shown. And if Judge
must be upright and decide irrespective
of his party friends or feelings, as all
insist he must, then the mere partizan
has no right to look for favor, and can
expect none from the honest Judge
And all this but proves that the Office
of Judge is non political and should
not be subject to party politics.
More than year ago, foreseeing the
contest likely to arise in this county,
we suggested that there should be no
party nominations made for Judge
in this county; but that it should be a
free and open race to all desiring to
hold that high trust. This was not re-
ceived with favor, and the state OF at-
fairs exists now that we have. What
will be the result of the complication
existing in the district we cannot tell
But the people are over and above all
party work in this matter, and it will
be for them to decide who are the best
men for the Judges that shall set upon
the questions affecting their rights OF
life, liberty and property.
Connoquenessing Items.
Mr., Eli D. Eagel is making exten-
sive improvements on his Touring
mill on Little Connoquenessing creek,
about mile South of Mt. Chestnut.
Mr.. Robert Henry, of Connoquenes-
sing township, is tearing down his old
harm to build new one
Mr.. Nelson Stevenson, who last