St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-25

TIL 8AN%HYXTFew states of
EZSSNI mzg9I>M Mimi sofas
aAAW/Nage possesses
IT, -A as many good good
names of Bigelow, Flandrau, Beales.
Wilson, Sanborn, Davis and a host of
others are ones to conjure with in the
realms of law. But by some misfortune
most of them keep Off of the bench,
stances to men less consDicuouSly
bright.
A successor to Judge Edison, who fills
Judge MacDonald'S old place, must be
chosen this fall. Judge Edison would
very much like to be his own successor,
and if the result was not to be decided
by ballots probably would be. He has
two formidable opponents in Ii. J. Peck,
of Shakopee, and f. Caldwell, of LIE
Sueur. The Minnesota valley knows
MIR. Peck too well for his praises to he
sounded here. Mr.. Caldwell has an
honorable reputation and good legal
career to sustain his claims. 1t would
not be fair TO propheSy Judge Edson's
defeat, but there is dissatisfaction. He
was appointed by Gov. McGill over sew
eral brighter lights of the bar.
Judge Lochren, of Minneapolis, comes
in for large share of discussion on ar
guments as to how the places on the
supreme court bench vacant this fall
should be filed. He is so eminently
fitted by training, mind, and career to
go to the bench, that his nomination for
such an honor by the Democrats is not
improbable. He is. the only Mime
apOlitan lawyer mentioned now as fitted
for this elevation. If nominated, the
seat offered him, would be that OF chief
justice and his opponent in the canvass
would be the present chief justice, Gill
fillan. The bar of the state might gen
orally be supposed to look on Lochren
with favorable eyes. Justice Gilfillan
has honored the bench and there is no
definite opposition to him. The Repub-
llcans will renominate him if he desires,
but the bar is the best judge Of the ability
OF the supreme court, and parenthetically
it may be said-the supreme court might
be improved. Judge Collins will be re-
nominated by the Republicans if Gov.
McGill is, and if McGill is not-the
bench may lose lesser light.
If he can be induced to do so, Judge
Severance may be pitted against Judge
Collins by the Democrats. Judge Sev-
erance has ability of high order: has
served as district judge with great
credit, and commands universal respect.
1t is true that if he is elected it would
give the Second congressional district
two judges on the bench, but there is a
growing sentiment that ability and not
geographical boundaries should be con-
sidered in selecting supreme court
judges. If the Republicans conclude to
drop Judge Collins, no mistake would
be made if they selected in his stead
Judge Start, of Rochester. The nomi-
nation of Judge Start would possibly
prevent the nomination of Judge Sever
ance by the Democrats. For Democrats
and Republicans alike would support a
nominee as eminently capable as
Charles Start.
One objection offered by many bright
and ambitious lawyers to going on the
district or the supreme bench is that
salaries are inadequate for the work
performed. In the case of most of the
judgeShipS this is true. The wear and
tear upon Judge is far beyond the pc
cuniary compensation he receives. The
judicial districts are quite large, the
judge is taken away from his home for
considerable periods, and compelled to
comforts that ought not to rest upon a
judicial mind. In Ramsey county it
has been notorious for some years that
the judges were literally slaves. Even
the addition of Judge Kelly does not re-
move the pressure upon them. The in
crease of work is faster than their abil-
ity to clear the accumulations away.
a fifth judge for Ramsey county will be
asked for next winter.
~
If any opinion is expressed upon the
present supreme court it is that, as a
body, it is afraid of public opinion and
numerous references are made to past
taX-title decisions, in which opinions
were shifted so rapidly that only legal
mind could follow. Judge Mitchell is
unQueStiOnably the favorite of the bar
and looked upon as coming light.
Judge Dickinson is very well liked, too,
and his appointment has always re-
fiected credit upon the bench. 1t is I'M
fortunate in some respects that partl-
IAN fight is to be made over the Judi
ciary. In the best Of conventions not
always the best men are nominated.
Mediocrity gets to the bench by
chance, where ability is disappointed
for years. The suggestion that before
the next conventions meet the two par
ties should confer and agree upon Judi
cial nominations should meet with
favor. Such course would secure the
recognition of talent now ignored.
~
The young blood of the Republican
party has joined forces with Merriam.
This gives the lie to the assertion that
Joe Heatwole had made up with Farmer
McGill.
Part of the Scheffer state ticket is al
ready made mp and reads as follows:
For GovernoI-Albert Scheffer.
For Lieutenant Governor-A. T.. Rice.
For Attorney General = Moses E.
Clapp.
This does not imply that Mr.. Rice has
become Scheffer man, but that the
Scheffer clan dare not omit him from
the state ticket. His following of Sean
dinavian voters is too important to be
ignored.
Mr.. Clapp has always been classed
with the young Republicans, but in this
case his SympathieS are said TO be with
Schetfer in preference to Merriam,
-
1t was neither Loren Fletcher,
Nor John S. PillSbury,
Nor E. =. Freeman,
Nor III. 3. Willis
Who made Gov. McGill.
1t was Stanford Newell.
And Stamford Newell is the guiding
spirit of w. Il. MerriamS canvass this
year. Will some one please rise and
explain,
What is to become of Gov. McGiIl?
-
If MesSrs. McIill. Scheffer and Nor