Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-02-26
The Supreme Court JudgeShip.

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ough awakening, is not to be meas
ured by the Importance of the affair.
1t not infrequently happens that the
interest awakened seems to be in in
verse ratio to the importance of the
occasion. Theoretically, we have
no election which is so important
and so far reaching in its oonse-
quences as the election of Judge
of our court of last resort. Yet it
is probable that, at most of the poll
ing places in the state, next April,
there will be liyelier concern
among the voters as to the result on
constable, or fence viewer, or alder
man, than as to the election of a
Judge of the supreme court for the
next ten years.
1t is this lack of proper interest
that makes the danger, if there is
danger, in the election of judges by
the people. There are grave obiec-
tons to an elective judiciary, and in
many of the states it has not been
adopted. 1t was opposed by the
ablest lawyers in the first constitu-
tional convention of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Ryan, afterward chief Justice,
who was member of that Conven-
ton, presented the objections to the
plan of electing judges, in a mem
orable speech of mastery eloquence
and power But the idea that it was
in the line of Democratic theories
of government prevailed with ma
jority of the convention, and it was
adopted in the first constitution and
from that was transferred to the con
stitution which is now our funda-
mental law.
This is not the time to discuss the
question of an elective judiciary.
The issue now presented for the de-
cision of the people of Wisconsin is
whether Judge Taylor shall be again
elected, or new and untried man
shall be put in his place upon the
supreme bench.
We think that it is conceded by
those who did not favor the election
of judges by the people that, 80 far
as the supreme court is concerned, it
has not worked badly. The chief
reason for this is doubtless that, from
the beginning, the policy of the peo-
pie has been not to make unneces.
sary changes in that court, but 10 re-
elect the judges as their terms have
expired.
There is little doubt that, for Sc
curing good judges, more depends
on them being elected or appointed
for long term, than ON whether
they are selected by popular election
or by gubernatorjal appointment.
A good judge generally is made,
not born. The qualifications which
constitute good judge are such as
must be acquired by special expert
ence, labor and study Great skill
at the bar will not always make a
good judge, and many Il brilliant
lawyer would fall into disrepute if
called from the bar to the bench. A
long term of service and great rx-
perlence are essentially requisite to
make a frst-rate judge. 1t is not
possible, in the nature of things, tus
the state to secure the services of
its best men for judges if the tenure
of judicial office is, by law or by
practice, made short. A good law
yer can rarely he found who can
afford to leave his work in the pro-
fession for a short term of service
on the bench.
No complaint, worthy of being
considered, has been made of Judge
Taylor He is universally consider
ed a Judge of robust understanding,
good judgment and determination.
There is no reason that we are aware
of, why he should not be reelected,
except that somebody else wants the
place or somebody wants to estab-
lish the rule of frequent changes in
the court, instead of the rule of sta
bility as heretofore, in order to make
a way for a place which is wanted
hereafter. If Judge Taylor were
not as good judge as he is known
to be, change might be consistent
! ly opposed on the ground we have
suggested, that we cannot have good
court except it be substantially the
rule that a good judge, once a Judge,
is to be always a judge. When we
add TO TINS consideration the fact
that we have no superior of Judge
Taylor on our present bench, that he
is in the full yigor of his life, and
that, in the present constitution of
our supreme court, he is in an es-
pecial degree useful and needed
there, we should be very sorry to see
the people of the state determine
otherwise than to re-elect Judge
Taylor. Ml,caukee Sentinel.
For good work go to J. G. Rem