Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-08-04
THE DEMOCRAT ON THE JUDGEsHIP

This paper, under its present manage
ment, will never advocate any man we
believe unfit for the Office he seeks. If
scheming politicians by trick and cum
ming stifle the judgment of the people
and make nomination which ought not
to be made, we cannot, with our
views of the duty of public newspaper,
support such nominee.
Mr.. Duckwall is conspicuously unit
for Circuit Judge, and we cannot sup
port him. His nomination was the work
of certain managing politicians in Mar.
tinsburg who do not represent the solid
and thinking men of either Berkeley,
Morgan or of Jefferson.
1t was easy for these politicians to
manufacture popular prejudice and ex'
cite senseless clamor which for mo-
ment drowned the voice of Reason, but
they have done an act which will not be
endorsed by the thoughtful and substan.
tial citizens of Berkeley.
The Office of Judge should be as care
fully guarded as the priesthood. A few
scheming politicians have made it the
football of personal spite and private re-
venge. They should be rebuked. They
will be rebuked unless the yeomanry OF
Berkeley have surrendered their man
hood. These politicians should be taught
that the people have not yet abandoned
the ballot box to handful of self-consti.
tuted bosses. They may juggle the nomi-
nations. but on election day the avalan'
che of an aroused and indignant people
will be here.
Mr.. Duckwall is not the choice of the
solid men in this District. He has nc
reputation as a lawyer, and has never
argued case in the higher courts. He
is never employed in important litigation
and altho' about seventy years old, has
not given the slightest evidence of fitness
for this office. The politicians most &C
tive to manipulate his nomination do moi
rely on him as legal adviser and have
not engaged his services when they had
cases. 1t is absurd for these gentlemen
to pretend they consider him learned
Either they are not sincere or else they
are not qualified to measure professions
capacity. .t i.Ns
The simple truth is, certain clique il
Martinsburg undertake to carry Berke
ley county in their pockets, The timt
has come for the yeomanry of Berkeley
to teach these bosses that they do no
own Berkeley. The tail has been wag
ging the dog long enough.
These small-fry bosses may have theil
way while the solid citizens of the com
munity are busy at work, but unless We
entirely mistake the people of Berkeley
they will shake off these bosses as thu
strong OK shakes off flies. sa
The Circuit Judgeship is the most i'm
portant Office it comes closest home tt
the every day affairs of the citizen ;
Iquick, active, capable lawyer on thu
Bench will transact more business in ont
week than an old man who is not pre-
pared for his duties can manage in ;
month. We elect a judge for eigh
years !; mistake is fatal, because Their
is no relief. t.
Congress retires U. S. Judge at 70
because experience proves that younge
men are more efficient. President Cleve
land refused to appoint any man Chic
Justice who was over go. H
But these Martinsburg politician
manipulated the nomination of gentle
man who not only lacks the essentia
qualifications but who, even if he wer
skilled in law, is far too old to meet tn
duties of this office for Eight Years.
Why was this old gentleman thus un
expectedly discovered :? Is he the onl.
lawyer in these three counties worthy t.
be Judge? Why pass Walker, Hogu
and Hughes, Beckwith. Trapnell, Trav
ers, Moore and Baylor? The simple ant
honest truth is, these Martinsburg poll
ticians think nothing of the public inter
ests they do not look beyond their per
sonal quarrels and petty private spites
they imagine that the people of Berkele.
are mere puppets to dance when told t
dance and cry when told to cry. w
sincerely trust, the substantial citizen
of Berkeley will teach these Martinsburi
bosses that they must not use the OF
flee of Judge as football for petty per
sonal quarrels. Mr.. Duckwall will new
er be Judge of this Circuit.-W. Va
Democrat.