The Washington critic., 1889-03-08
rpr NEW DISTRICT JUDGE.

The appointment ol Judge LOT the
United States Court of the District of
Columbia, 10 ill the vacancy occasionei
by the death of Judge Mcrrick, sug-
yesis few observations, which we
commend to the careful consideration of
the President and the Attorney-Gcncral.
The National Government is more
directly interested in the character and
ability of the Court of this District
than in that of amy 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 con
tired here in the several Executive De-
partments and in the administration of
their multitudinous affairs. Most OF the
important suits and legal contests-civil
and criminal-on the part of the Gov.
ernment are inaugurated here. A court
of the very highest legal ability is,
therefore, demanded in behalf of the
Governments interests. 1t should be
composed of men whose judicial ability
wonld give TO their judgments u char
aeter commensurate with the national
dignity of their positions and the i'm
portancc of the interests adiudicatcd.
The citizens of the District of Colum-
bizarre more directly interested in the
proper organization of its Judiciary
than any other branch of the Govern.
ment. The rights of the poorest and
humblest as well as the richest and most
influential citizen are liable to be sub
mitted to this tribunal for its Judgment.
II is tic only branch Of he G0cerpnasa
Of 1e District Of Columbia 'chereia cit
ifen Of he District has a right 10 demand
10 beheordia the protection Of his inter-
ssfs, for in all the other branches of the
administration of the affairs of the Dis.
trict tlIe right of petition only is granted
him.
Therefore, our citizens desire this
tribunal TO be of the most exalted char
acter in point Of ability and proper ju
dicial qualifications.
And THE CKTIc, in the name of the
100000 citizens and sax-paycrs of the
District, whose political rights are
emasculated, urges upon the President,
IN the appointment of Judge for the
District Court, the selection ofs capable,
honorable man, distinguished for his
Judicial ability, old enough in expert
cnce TO clearly comprehend his duties
and young enough in years to vigor-
ousiy discharge the same. As to the
political views of the appointee THE
= CRITrc cares nothing---it is only with
respect to judicial qualifications of the
one to be selected that we are at all ur-
gent. II man eminent in his ability
and fitness for the position can be Sc
lected from among the citizens Of this
District, we shall be most happy and
gratifed. But we urge upon the Presi
dent, in naming our new judge, to Sc
lection whose judicial learning and
accomplishments win honor the position
for which he is chosenj even, il TO do
80, II is necessary TO cross the District
line and enter the broad area of our vast
Republic. In this case, of all others.
lei the Office find the man, and not that
man who seeks the office.
This being the news centre of the
continent from which information
radiates TO every neighborhood, tn
intelligence Of the 60,0O0,000 inhab-
itants OF the Republic is focused upon
the daily transaction of official life in
Washington, and the action of the judi
eial tribunal of the District of Columbi
receives at times more widespread atten-
ton than that of all the other Fedora
courts in the several States. Let us
have, then, II court whose ability, learn.
ing and judgments will be respected and
honored throughout the land, and your
petitioners will ever pray, etc.