The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-12-29
PALATKA. FLA, DEC. 90. 1886.
For Circuit Judge.

No one objects more than do we to the
spotting of the judicial ermine with
the mud which seems inseparable from
political contests. 1t was for this
reason alone that we objected to the
election of circuit judges. We believe
that these officers should be altogether
free from the influences emanating from
political conventions and party organiz-
atoms. 1t is rare indeed that the quail
tiles necessary on the bench are to be
found in the successful party leader.
But it is also true that no man has di-
vine right to any office; that the express
sion of individual preferences lie right
guaranteed to the American citizen, and
that the supporG of a frie nd for public
office is reprehensihie only when the
candidate is incapable or not trust
worthy.
The term of Judge King, of this Cir
cult, Is about to expire, and We were
glad to see that influential friends were
warmly advocating the apo ointment of
the Hon. r. F. Taylor to the position he
will leave vacant; we expressed our
qualification in THE NEWS without one
word of depreciation for Judge King.
Thereupon an irresponsible party in our
esteemed contemporary the Palatka
Herald characterizes Mr.. Taylor's sup
porters as "a worthless and uninfluen-
tial element in our midst" ventures to
inquire Twill such mean and contempti-
BILE work never cease at home ~ and then
goes on to declare in reference to Judge
King, "a man who has served the State
for thirty five years as circuit judge GER
tainly merits better treatment" Now
this language the editor of the Herald
on his return distinctly repudiated with
disgust a. untrue and opposed to all his
ideas of propriety. Therefore, knowing
the writer To be utterly without influence
and as ignorant as conceitsd, we paid no
attention to this ridiculous attempt, and
waited for what was promised when
1.-The editor of the Herald should return"
What then was our surprise in the
Herald of yesterday to see holy screed
about 1.-THE mere whims and prejudices
of DISCONTINUED parties" and a truly
good attempt to dictate what is ''digni-
fed" to the members of the bar. This
editor who repudiated the words of his
subordinate, even insinuates that Judge
King Is opposed because he is mot plant
enough" and that the petition in favor
of Mr.. Taylor "may or may not be re-
garded as the general sentiments of the
signers." Are these parties so lost to
sense and sobriety as To believe them
selves capable of debating opinions to
others as well as occurring youthful jour.
nalIsts?" Do they think they can sup
port Judge KING by instituting compar-
isons between the characters aud daily
lives of his friends and those of Mr..
Taylor, or is he only seeking the publica,
tion of two brief biographical notices
III so he will not find us unwilling, and
Mr.. Taylors friends will not be the suf.
ferers.
But we cannot believe that the editor
of the Herald wishes such discussion,
and the father should take the son in
hand. He should know that an attemp,
is not made to ''displace' Judge King
bench in this State, and it is sought &c
place thereon an able lawyer and stain
less gentleman. mo worthless and I'M
influential element" seeks to do this, bu,
a majority of the lawyers in the circuit
and other gentlemen, some of wi ON al
least the editor of the Herald has Otter
delighted TO honor. 1t is not sought tc
acteriZes as mean aud contemplate
work at home." but 10y the same means
precisely that the friends of Judge King
adopt. We have expressed our prefer
ence for Mr.. Tay Tor, but we should scorr
to use the language with which the Her
aid seeks to dignity" its cause. We be
lieve Judge King to be pure and upright
we have no word to breathe against his
integrity, and his faithful service is well
known. but we insist that Robert Fen
wick Taylor is equally stainless and capa
BILE, and we see no need to bring into the
arena of personal dispute the claim,
which will be decided by power whose
foresight we recognize, to whose decis
ion we shall bow with pleasure, and
whose wish to serve the people is more
than commensurate with his vested au-
thority. The indecent expressions of the
Herald we regret, because they have
now been endorsed. at least in some meas
ure, by one whose age makes him an au-
thority among US. but we are satisfied
these have done more harm to the cause
of Judge King than to that of his oppo-
nent. With the motives Of those who
misrepresent facts and intentions we will