Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-27
Judge Humphreys Nomination.

which we are just entering is in some
respects at least Of an unusual char
acter. It is not unusual from the fact
that there is a non-partisan candidate
before the people. For seventeen years
the people of this judicial district have
been accustomed to place in the field a
non-partisan candidate, and to over
whelmingly elect him, as we believe
they will again do this year. But it is
unusual from the peculiar Characters
tics of the opposition. This contest is
not to be fought between the ancient
and time-honored enemies, the demo-
cratic and republican parties. But it
is to be be a contest between the people
and a secret political ring which has
been organized behind locked and
barred doors, and under signs and grips,
for the purpose Of prostituting the
judiciary of Kansas to its own partisan
purposes. The shibboleth of this ring
Is "unreserYej, strict partisan fdel-
ity." 1t is only by the sacrifice of the
last vestige Of independent political
manhood that a candidate can receive
the endorsement Of this secret political
ring.
The remarkable facility with which
the present incumbent of the office
abandoned his former connections of
friendship and politics was doubtless
the leading recommendation to estab-
lish him in favor with this secret ring.
These secret organizers must have
observed with pleasure that Mir. Mich
olson was equally ready to desert his
friends who for eight years had con-
tributed most to his advancement, and
to adopt such new principles of govern
ment as his new political associates
might dictate, This is the nature and
character of the enemy which the
people of this judicial district must
encounter at the coming election.
The pure and impartial administra-
ton of justice is perhaps the frmeSt
bond to secure "A cheerful submission
of the people to the laws and to engage
their affections to our government. 1t
is not sufficient that questions OF pri-
vate right and wrong are justly
decided, nor that judges are superior
to the vileness of political corruption.
Jeffreys, the most brutal of England's
judiciary, when the court had no inter
est was a just and upright judge.
A court Of justice may be subject to
another sort of bias, more important
and pernicious, as it reaches beyond
the interest of individuals and effects
the whole community. y judge under
the influence of bitter partisan preju-
dice may be honest enough in the
decision of 4 large majority of private
causes, yet an enemy to the public.
When victim is marked out by his
party, or a party principle comes before
him for Judicial sanction, there is
danger that a partisan judge will offer
himself to perform the sacrifice.
Elected by partisans, pledged to carry
out the dictates of secret political
caucus, he will not scruple to prostitute
his dignity and betray the sanctity of
his Office. whenever an arbitrary point
is to be carried IN the interests of the
party which elected him, or even the
resentment Of the court itself is to be
gratifed.
We are happy in tie belief that the
unjust judge, consciously and wilfully
unjust, is rare in this country, yet
such is the infrmity of human nature
that disastrous consequences often re-
suit from the rulings Of judges, def
Gent in independent manhood, who,
ordinarily meaning do well, are on
account of party pledges and partisan
prejudice utterly unable to mete out
justice upon particular subjects, or be-
tween certain classes of persons.
1t is with the view of keeping the
Judge of this district above the tempta-
tion to prostitute his Office for the ad-
vancement of political or partisan in
terests that the people have, for seven
teen years, maintained a non-partisan
judiciary.
The nOn-partisan convention Of the
people of the district which met in
Council Grove on Thursday made no
mistake in selecting Hon. James
Humphrey, of Junction City, for its
candidate. The people have selected
for their stahdard-bearer a man who
will undoubtedly command the undi-
vided and hearty support of all those
who desire an impartial, honest, con-
scientiOus judiciary. Mr.. Humphrey
has the confidence of the people of this
district. For twenty years he has
been one of our own people. On the
4th day of March 1867 he was ap-
pointed judge of the Eighth Judicial
district, and in the fall of the same
year he was elected to that Office by a
majority of 1865, out of total vote of
1853. In April 1870 he resigned the
Office, and formed law partnership
with Capt. J. r. Mcclure, which con-
tinued uninterruptedly until he was
appointed on the Board of Railroad