Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-03-09
THE AMERICAN JUDICIARY.

Ills uupruuSluS PRAISE Va tne J"ui-
ciary of the United States altogether
ignored the fact that a considerable
proportion of that body, elected by the
same processes as give municipal gov
eminent to the cities, is VIGOROUSLY in
efficient and corrupt, and that the
criminal classes, who are personally
most interested in the verdicts of the
courts, select the judges to preside in
them. Even the lighter matters Lord
COLERIDGE r. desire to please went some
what in excess of the requirements of
tie situation.
80 writes LEPEL GRIFFIN, the Surly
and ill.informed Iankeephobe who has
hurried through this country in peevish-
ness and superficiality. Of course he
knows everything about American in
stitutions. In many pages of the Fort
nightly Review he finds nothing to
commend il us.
The only logical deduction that can
be made from this sweeping Islander on
the American Judiciary is that what he
is pleased to call the criminal classes
are in a majority in the States of the
Union. Therefore, the majority of the
American people are criminals. In the
colossal civil business Of our courts the
actual criminal class has really no in
terest at all. Aud tue civil business is
ten times greater than the criminal
business.
Mr.. GRIFFIN apparently does not
know that crime within grave limits
disqualifies a man to vote. But, letting
that pass, the American Judiciary, when
elected instead of being appointed, has
proven since the foundation of our in
stitutions body animated with high
and intrepid sense OF responsibility.
We are yet without material to make
even asupplement to the volume en-
titled Infamous Judges" whose con-
tents have been supplied exclusively
out of the Judiciary L.ErEL GRIFFIN
doubtless thinks perfect. An American
Judge dared arraign ANDREW JACK
son for infringing upon the civil rights
Of a citizen in time of war. The mob
that gloried in Old H,ckory's valor was
ready to chastlSe the calm and cOnScl-
ertious magistrate; but the memory of
Judge WORKMAN is revered the mOreaS
he was as indifferent to mob clamor as
he was solicitious to protect the consti-
tutional rights Of private citizen from
the rough haste of patriotic soldier.
There is in our elective system power
which is mighty for good; if Judge
departs from the spirit Of the cOnstitu-
ton and the laws the people displace
him. There is no large community in
the American States where an incap-
able, much less corrupt, Judge could
procure reelection. The few aud well
known instances in which American
Judges have stained their robes only
make the great body of our elected
Judiciary the more notable for honor,
courage, conscience aud capacity. The
only weakness we need fear in Judge
is.a willingness to be sensitive to pass
ing excitement. The Judge who has
no ears, no eyes and no tongue for the
multitude, but keeps himself in simple
tranquility, seeking his lights only in
he constitution and the statutes, is a
Judge who will neither imperil the
safety of the community nor be the
agent OF wrong to life or property. In
fact, if the confession must be made, the
Supreme Court of the United States, in
the personnel Of which the people have
no voice, is the only portion of the
American judiciary about which there
is felt the least uneasiness. 1t IS very
difficult to impeach Judge. Iii very
easy not to re-elect him.