The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-04-16
The sew pIstrIet Judges.

Tho New District Judges.
Tho reorganization of the Supreme Court
Of the District of Columbia, in view of one
or more contemplated designations from the
present bench, suggests a fow observations
which we commend to the kind considera-
tion Of the President and the Attorney
General.
The National Government is moro di-
rectly interested in the character aud
ability Of the Court Of this District than in
that Of any other Of the Federal Courts,
with the single exception of the Supreme
Court Of the United States. This District
Court being located at the Capital, has
original jurisdiction in the numerous
questions growing out Of the vast interests
of the Government centered here in the
several Executive Departments and in the
administration of their multitudinous
affairs. Most of the important suits and
legal contests-civil and crlminal-on the
part of the Government are inaugurated
here. A court Of tho very highest legal
ability is, therefore, demanded in behalf of
the Governments interests. 1t should be
composed of men whose judicial ability
would give to their judgments character
commensurate with the national dignity Of
their positions and the importance of the
interests adjudicated.
The citizens of the District of Columbia
are more directly interested in the proper
organization of its Judiciary than any other
branch of the G Government. The rights Of
the poorest and humblest as we'll as the
richest and most influential citizen is liable
TO be submitted to this tribunal for its
judgment. u is The only branch Of The Gov
ernment Of the District Of Columbia lvherein
citizen Of The District has right to demand 10
Dc heard in The protection Of his interests for
in all the other branches Of the admins
tration of tho affairs of the District the
right of petition only is granted him
Therefore our citizens desire this tribunal
to be of the most exalted character in
point Of ability and proper judicial qualif-
cations They want court free Of hasty
passion, bitter prejudice, petty tyranny and
stupid crankisms.
And THE CRITIC, In the name of the
100000 citizens aud Taxpayers of the Dis
trict whose political rights are emasculated,
urges upon the President, in the reorgau-
ization of the District Court, the selection
for their judicial ability, old enough in ex-
perlence to clearly comprehend their duties,
and young enough in years to vigorously
discharge the same. AS to tho political
views of the appointees, The CRITIC cares
nothing-it is only with respect to judicial
qualifications of those 10 be selected that
we are at all urgent. If men eminent in
their ability and fitness for these positionI
can be selected from among the oiJizens of
this District, we shall be most happy and
grati1ed. But we urge upon the Presi-
dent, in naming our new Judges, to select
those whose Judicial learning and accom-
plishments will honor the positions for
which they arc chosen. Even, if to do so,
it is necessary to cross the District line aud
enter the broad area of our vast Republic.
In this case, of all others, let the Office find
the man, and not the man who seeks the
Office.
This being the news centre Of the conti-
nent from which information radiates to
every neighborhood, the intelligence of the
60,000,000 Inhabitants Of the Republic is
focused upon the daily transaction of Off
cial life in Washington, and tho action Of
the judicial tribunal Of the District of
Columbia receives more widespread atten-
tion than that of all tho other Federal
courts in the several States. Let us have
then court whose ability, learning aud
judgments will be respected and honored
throughout the land, and your petitioners
will ever pray, &c.
Bzr. BscLane ON Capital and Labor,
Minister McI4ane seems to have very just
and practical ideas in regard to the rela.
tions between capital and labor To con-
gratulntory letter written him by the Bal.
timore Federation of Labor he replies that
he hopes the Federation will be successful
in seeking further legislation, especially
for the protection of the health of all Gu
gagged in industrial pursuits, and in thi,
connection that proper limitations upor
the hours of labor of men. women and
children shall be secured. Mr.. McLane alsc
says: "To secure the proper legislation in
this direction no conflict between labor
and capital need occur. Indeed, the inter-
ests Of both are so closely interwoven that
no legislation in the interest of one eau fail
to promote the interest of the other. True
statesmanship consists in maintaining per-
feet harmony between both"
WE have at last discovered that there is
somo use for the footman. In Cork yester.
day plebeian cabbage thrown at the royal
party would have struck the Princess oi
Wales had a footman not been in the way
10 receive the blow.
TIE speck Of war that recently made 1t:
appearance in cur Central American horizon
has vanished about as suddenly as it ap
peared, and the parties concerned arc put
ting their heads together to see who shall
foot the bills.
MINISTER LOWELL knows what is re.
qnired of minister to England. He Ia
Arranging to give Mr.. Phelps q series oi
dinners and other entertainments in order
70 introduce him to metropolitan high life
-----s--
so LONG as the mounted police of th,
Sask atchewan continue to ram shot int
their cannon without any powder, the sue
cess Of the Riel rebellion may be set dow
as a foregone conclusion.
GREAT results are being attained by tn
English army in the Soudan. The cabl
informs us to-day that General Graham
forces have captured forty Arabs aud Hy
hundred sheep.