Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-10
SEATTLE, W. T., SUNDAY MORNING. AUGUST TO- 1884,
4 Meeting Held and Candidates for
Jastiee< OF the Peace Placed In Nom.
tu~ffaa

4 Meeting Held and Candidates for
Jastiees Of the Peace Placed In Nom.
inafion.
Pursuant to an extensively signed
call. number of the members Of the
Seattle bar assembled at the Courthouse
yesterday afternoon for the purpose OF
discussing the propriety of placing in
nomination two candidates for Justices
Of the Peace. The meeting was but
slimiy attended, some of the most prom
inent legal firms of the city not being
represented, and the total nambsr in
attendance being -. In view of this
fact. the outcome of the proceedings. as
detailed below, will not excite such sur
prise as would otherwise be the case
From the Seattle lawyers, assembled
for the purpose of naming men who
would lift the Office Of Justice of the
Pc ice to a higher plane, the public ex-
pected, and had right to expect, such
action as vsuld meet unanimous sPpro-
baton. In the face of tnis expectation,
made Was received with surprise and
disappointment. The feeling was gem
eral that the mountain had labored and
brought forth mouse. Instead of lift
ing the Stties above politics, 1t was tacit-
ly admitted that political considerations
were paramount in the selection of can
didaies. One Republican aud one Dem
Ocrat were presented. This might be
looked upon as a mere coincidence. were
It uot for the fact that the men named
are not such as family represent the legal
profession of our city. They could not
have been selected on the ground of
mere fitness for the position, and the
only other conclusion possible is that
the considerations which prompted the
nominations were pslitioAl. Ii Is not
too much TO say that the public is sore
ly, grieyously disappointed with the out
come of this movement, and it remains
to BE seen whether they are prepared to
endorse yesterdays action with the
which would under other
have been displayed.
The office of Justice of the Peace has
been increased in dignity and power
lt Is fitting that the men named to hold
the office In the future be an advance in
every way over those who have held it
in the past. The public expect an i'm
provement in the qualifications of the
ufficial commensurate withIthe increased
of the office. Fhe lawyers
have not recognized this general expec- |
tation, and have not placed themselves |
in a position to assert that the public |
should yield 10 them the right to name |
the judiciary. 1t cannot be said |
that the men who were yesterday pre- |
sented for the Office are an improve |
ment on those who have heretofore held |
it. Even a political convention could |
and would have done better.
Judge Jacobs called the assemblage |
to order and briefly stated the object of |
the meeting.
On motion, Gov. Ferry was uHani- |
mously elected Chairman, and c. E.
Bowman Secretary.
Judge Jacobs introduced the fellow |
ing resolutions, which were adopted |
after remarks by Messrs. jacobs, En- |
ory, White, McGllvra and others:
WHEREAS. The Congress of the United |
States and the Legislature of the Terri |
tory have increased the jurisdiction of |
Justices of the Peace to $500; and
WHEREAS, Under this increase of ju- |
risdiction much of the important litiga- |
tion of the Territory will be com-
before aud be determined by |
ustices of the Peace, it becomes mat |
Ter of the very first Importance to the |
profession, as we'll as to the people, that |
able, capable and skillful men, learned |
in the law, should be elected to said |
offices therefore, be it
Resolved. That it is the sense of this |
that two experienced menu
bers of the bar ought to be nominated |
for said positions, end their nomination |
earnestly recommended to the ap- |
political conventions for the |
support of the people, without distinc-
tion of party.
Resolved, further, That the judicial |
offices of tue county, as far as 1t ls prac- |
tioable, should be filled by able and ex |
perienced lawyers. The rights of the |
people and the interest of the profess |
sion concur in this conclusion.
Resolved, further, That in order to |
cconplish these desirable results it is |
to have a more thorough or |
ganization of the members of the bar of |
this city and of the Territory there |
fore, be il
Resolved, That committee Of five be |
appointed by the chair, whose duty it |
shall be to draw up articles for bar |
in this city, to be reported |
for the consideration of some future |
On u,otion the meeting proceeded to |
nominate by ballot two lawyers as can
didates for Justice of the Peace, il be- |
ing understood that the candidates |
should be recommended for indorse- |
ment to the county conventions of the |
two political parties. Ii was farther de |
Oh ied on motion of Judge Jacobs, that |
two-thirds of all the votes cast would |
be required to nominate. A number of
lawyers we're then placed in nomina-
tion, and the balloting was proceeded
with, each voter placing the names of
two candidates upon his ballot. On
the ballots il was fouad that
Messrs. j. L. Ronald and ). B. Vrooman
had secured the necessary two thirds,
and they were accordingly declared TO
be the nominees.
A motion was carried authorizing the
chairunan to appoint n committee to
draft q constitution for a Bar Associa.
tion. The gentlemen appointed on such
were U. Jacobs, G.. NJ. Hailer,
@. II. Hanford, w. Ii. White and j. J.
McGilvra. On motion the chairman
and Judge Greene we're added to the
committee.
There was some discussion as to
whether candidate for Probate Judge
should be nominated. but a motion was
finally carried postponing the consider
alton Of this question until the next
meeting.
The meeting thereupon adjourned
subject 10 the call of she chairman of
the Committee ON Organization.