Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-26

drew his name. MIR. Clarkson was nomin
ated. IL was apparent that MIR. Davis
friends were sorely disappointed. CLARK
sons nomination was made unanimous, MIR.
Clarkson appeared and In good faith ac-
copied the nomination. Surely, he had the
right TO believe that he would have the sup.
port OF oil present at the meeting, oil OF
whom had joined in asking him TO accept the
nomination. 1t was believed by the bar that
Davis and his friends would gracefully sub.
nit to the decision Of the body to which they
had appealed, and would stand by the nom
partisan principles which they had cham.
indeed, so they profcssed to do.
While these friends OF Davis are among
the most esteemed young men of the bar, il
is believed that their ardor was such as 10
reconcile them to any contingency that might
arise which would enable them TO overcome
defeat. That they will, in their cooler mo.
ments, regret this attempt TO overthrow the
non-partisan principle and n nomination
fairly made no one who respects them en-
tertains doubt.
After the meeting, the matter was gener.
ally regarded by the bar as settled. No one
dreamed that any attorney who had been
present and participated In IL, would listen
to q suggestion TO accept q nomination for
judge against the choice that mad been hon
orably made. MIR. Estclle publicly announced
that he felt in homer bound to abide the re-
suit and declined TO allow his name to 6e
used by partisan conventions. In this hc
time later, the republican convention met.
1t was with profound astonishmeut and cha
grin that our best citizens learned
that Mr.. Davis, who as a young man of
promise had enjoyed their esteem, had allow
ed the politicians to persuade him to accept
the nomination against the choice of a
large and certainly very respectable meet
ing which his friends had been chiefly in
strumental in calling In his BEHALF 10 which
he had submitted his claims, and as the re-
Of tphs srtr had ,,.,,.,, ,,ta
sanction of all present including Davis and
his friends. We are constrained to say that
he stood for the nonpartisan principle until
his personal ambition was thwarted, but now
he aspires to the bench by standing in direct
opposition thereto.
We are reluctant to say that we believe it
Is the uniform opinion Of all candid, think
ing citizens, that Mr. Davis was not free to
accept the nomination. His apologists say
that he acted in weakness and nothing
worse. We are anxious to do him no wrong
and leave you TO form your own conclusions.
III MIR. Davis aspires to serve as district
judge delay of two years, under the cir.
cumstances, doubtless would have strength.
ened him in the respect and confidence of
both bar and people.
1t has been enormously stated that Mr..
Davis was the second choice of the meeting.
The fact Is, he was the third.
1t has been stated, also, that Mr.. Clarkson
at the outset pledged himself to support
Mr.. Davis. This is mere political handle,
fake" without substantial foundation.
AT the time In question, which was so early
in the history of the matter that it ms re-
ceived no general consideration, he simply
stated that If Mr.. Smith was not o candi-
date, Mr. Davis would be his second choice,
meaning (as must have been well under
stood) of those who had been so far named
for the office. 1t is surely straining the
facts TO claim that, when Mr.. Clarkson's
friends insisted upon his becoming candi-
date, he Lad barred himself by a pledge.
1t is hardly necessary to note farther that
considerable number OF lawyers, whose
first choice was Davis. have refused to sup
port HIM as candidate opposed to the
choice of the meeting.
The question now is, what is our duty as
electors2 Shall we support Mr.. Davis as
partisan nominee, throwing the election of
the judiciary into the deplorable strife of
partisan primaries, conventions and politics;
or, shall we support Mr. ClarlSson, whose
record is clear and honorable, who is admit
tedly qualified for the position by his learn
ing and ability, whose conduct throughout
has been straightforward and above re-
proach, standing, as he does, for non -parti-
san judlciaryl
The people cannot be too jealous of the
honor OF tho bench, or too jealous III endeav-
oring to elevate 1t, to keep 1T pure and un-
spotted, and its judges independent and i'm
partial
We, member of the bar, confidently believe
that you will cordially endorse this senti-
ment and join US in the purpose to elect MIR.
Clarkson to succeed Judge Croft.
Signed. A. j. PoPPLEToN,
GEORGE B. LAKE,
JOHN p. BREEN,
GEORGE +. BRowN,
j. III. BLAIR
JOHN ID. HOWE,
And others.