The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-21
ELECTION OF JUDGES.
Concurrent Action by the Bar OF King
and Pierce Counties.

The local bar associations of the state
are endeavoring to act in harmony with
those counties wherein the question OF the
election of one Judge or three is likely to
arise. Recently the King County Bar Asso-
citation appointed committee to prepare
an opinion, and to John f. Humphries was
entrusted the task of writing il. Ii was
published in full in the Posr-ISrEIII-
GENcEg at the time and Mr.. Humpries has
forwarded copy to Hon. f. ]. Crowley, of
the Pierce county Bar Association.
He accompanied the opinion with let.
ter, from which the following extracts
afford comprehension of the situation:
Ienclose copy OF the proceedings of the com.
mittee appointed by the president of the King
County Bar Association with reference 10 the
question Ia regard to the election of judges
Also copy of opinion prepared by me at the re-
quest OF Judge Humes and published in the
PosT'1NrELLIGEScER OF June IS.
In accordance with the instructions of tho
committee am ready to correspond with you
aud arrange meeting for the purpose of con-
sultation.
There is suggestion I might make which
was not mentioned at the committee meeting.
II is this: Ii we are right in our views of the
case that there are three judges TO be elected in
King county. and there should be difference
q. opinion and only one should be nominated
by each of the parties, il might result in the
complication that the three receiving the high
est number of votes would be elected and the
judges elected could proceed by QUO warrauto 10
Gust the present incumhenis
judges Humes and Osborn were elected at the
last general election 10 III out what we deemed
the unexp!Eei term, and II nj the coming eIec-
ton each party should nomi cate one Judge. Re-
publican. Democrat, Peoples party and Prohi-
bitionist, and Gil four judges nominated should
receive votes, then the three Judges receiving
the highest number OF votes would be elected
fors term oil four years. and If Judges Humes
aud Osborn refused tn concede their election
or surrender the offices tn them they
co2id proceed against them by cue
wafrarto sud compel them 10 surrender INC
offices The ;ac: is, decla il dangerous .or
judges occupying the position of Judges uumes
and Osborn, of this county, sud Campbell and
Eeset.y OF your county. e. attempt 20 hold the
offices under the present state Of the constItu-
ton il three MEN should receive votes a. the
coming election. Ii said four men should re-
iCSc 81 run ~ the coming election. aud candl-
raies should run "a above stated, they would
lose their otices and would also involve the
judiciary OF the counties ia lawsuit
he opinions of the lawyers who are not in,
tercsted In the matter, so far ne know are FL;
the same way IL this county, and whose oplu.
lens are 50 unanimous there is little room Tor
dispute upon "A legal proposition
Judges Humes and osborn are candidates for
reelection sad will undoubtedly lie nominated
By the Republicans. II the Republicans carry
the county they will he elected and no question
a to their right TO the Office will be- raised Blu,
II the Democrats should carry the county
Judges hucies and Osborn could coatest the
night al the Democrats "a Gust them from their
cinccS Tor two years bat the probability Is tina,
there would DC no contest whatever Having
gooe INFO the matter under the existing cir.
cums'aaees. thcy would DC IN homo. bound q
sutnii, even a! there was possibility of their
succeeding In holding the Offices. But as va
view the law there would be 40 chance what
ever Tor them to continue in Office. and they
would hardly ,nst,iute ana prosecute proceed
:ng whica, IN the end. would be disastrous "a