Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-24
An Attempt to Have MIN Indorsed at
the Bar Associatien Meeting
Was Ruled Out
HIS FRIENDS WILL TRY 1T AGAIN.
The Lawyers Argue That They Should
Name All Candidates for Judicial
Honors in the Future.
FORMING A PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The Details of the Scheme Prepared, but Objections
Delay Their Adoption


noon to form permanent organization for
the purpose of recommending hereafter can
didates for Judicial honors in the United
States, Supreme and local courts Such an
organization has been formed, and it is in
successful operation in Cincinnati and
Chicago. In addition to forming such an
organization yesterday, it was intended by
the Pittsburg lawyers to indorse ex7Judge
Fetterman for Judge Reeds place on the
United States Circuit Bench. The organ
ization scheme was worked harmoniously,
but the effort at Endorsement Of Judge
Fetterman met with strong opposition
and the meeting adjourned without taking
any action in the case. An effort will be
made to hold another meeting Saturday to
consider Mr. Fetterman's case.
W. B. Negley presided at the meeting
yesterday. S. C. McCandless was chosen
Secretary. c. c. Dickey was in charge of
Mr.. Fetterman's interests and w. d. Moore
had with him typewritten Endorsement
OF the ex-Judge which the association re-
fused to consider. A petition in behalf of
Joseph Burlington, of Kittanning, who is an
applicant for Judge Reeds shoes, was cir
culated among the attorneys yesterday
morning. But few signed it, however.
Details OF the Scheme.
When the meeting opened NJ. A. Wood
ward stated briefly the object of the meeting
and outlined the plan as proposed by those
who were fathering the scheme. He said
that any Judge whose commission will ex-
pire may send or cause his name to be sent
to this committee. Any member of the
bar wishing to be a candidate may send his
name and ten members of the
bar may suggest the name of
any member of the bar as a candidate.
The committee on day designated pre-
pares an official ballot containing the names
of all the candidates named, which ballot
shall be sent to each member of the
bar The latter prepares his ballot by max
ing a cross opposite the name or names he
wishes to vote for and mails his vote to the
committee, accompanied by the following
certificate:
Thereby certify that am a member of the
Allegheny County Bar; that have enclosed
nv ballot properly marked in an inner en-
yelope and that will abide by the result of
the canvass by the Election Committee OF
the members of the har, and by ever honor
able means seek TO procure the appoint ment
or nomination and election of the person or
persons selected by the members OF the bar
as the candidate or candidates.
The Concern of the Bar.
On day to be fixed by the committee,
the votes are collected and counted pub
licly. The name of the person receiving
the highest number of votes shall be certi-
fed to every member of the bar who votes.
Mr. Woodward closed by saying that
although the public welfare was interested
in the matter, he considered that the bar
was more intimately concerned. Next fall
a member of the Supreme Bench is to be
elected, and if the Allegheny County Bar
unites its forces it can be felt in the matter.
He then offered the following:
WHEREAS We, the members of the Allie
gheny County Bar, have long observed and
realized that the selection of the judges OF
our courts, whether by appointment or
election, has fallen almost altogether within
the influence of party politicians, and that
this influence is directed wholly in respect
to the selfish purposes and arbitrary wills OF
such politicians, in utter disregard Of the
pu bile welfare, in which as concerning the
fitness and qualifications of our judges We
are pre-eminently concerned; and,
Whereas, This influence. as directed in
contests for nominations and elections of
judicial officers. has made the canvas for
such nomination and election SO expensive
to candidates, and so charged with the SLAM
ders. the corruptions and all the other
odious methods of common politics, and
also lowering the standard of the efficiency
and of the honor and the dignity which the
judicial office should command, that it is
with well-known reluctance that any quail
fled man
Will Enter Such . Contest,
and almost impossible that the best-qualified
men of the profession can ever be per-
suaded, even by the most urgent notice Of
the bar to do so; and,
Whereas, Owing to the various and special
qualifications which fit men of our profes-
sion to fill with satisfaction the high and re-
sponsible position of Judge upon the bench,
il is impossible that the public can exercise
a truly intelligent judgment even if left
free to do SO; or that any men but those
learned in the law and acquainted with the
conditions, qualifications and standing in
the courts and among his brethren of the
bar can form such Judgment; therefore be it
Resolved That we, the Bar of Allegheny
County, declare ourselves organized for the
purpose of electing among ourselves and
recommending candidates for all appoint
ments, nominations and elections for all
judicial positions now or hereafter about to
be filled and in which this bar is concerned,
and that we will SO recommend candidates
preceding all nominations and elections of
judges for each of the two great political
parties.
Resolved, That this organization shall in
clude at all times. each and every member
Resolved, That for the coming year, the
present organization now effected, shall be
at once completed and the officers fully
charged with their duties, shall continue in
office until the second Saturday in January,
1893 and
Resolved, That as there are judges to be
elected in the coming year, one to the Su-
preme Court of Pennsylvania and two in
the Court of Common. Pleas No. 2, of this
county, that the committee above provided
for be especially directed to take the vote
of the bar at such early period as in their
Judgment or as may be indicated by the
wishes of the bar is best for accomplishing
the purposes of this organization.
A Dispute as to Features.
After reading the resolutions, Mr. Wood
ward moved that the general plan as sug-
gested be approved.
Mr.. McGirr ssid he did not approve of it
as a whole. 1t only provides for the nam
ing of one candidate. This might be a
Democrat whom the Republicans would not
indorse or Republican whom the Demo-
Gratis would not like to be bound to support.
Captain Breck-Well, they did that this
year.
Mr. McGirr-The Democrats didn't.
Mr.. Cotton-I think the whole matter
ought to be referred to special committee;
it is certainly inadequate, as it only pro-
vides for the two great political parties.
The Prohibitionists are not in it
Cold Water to the Front.
Mr.. Jennings-I suppose Mr.. Cotton rep
resents the Prohibitionists-
Mr. Cotton-Certainly.
Mr. Woodward withdrew his motion to |
approve and allowed the matter to be re- |
ferred to a committee of ten, with instruc-
tions to report to an adjourned meeting to |
be held next Tuesday afternoon at o'clock. |