The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-22
Judicial Nominations.

The papers Of Howard county last week
announced ION the best of authority that
Associate Judge, Hon. [. Thomas Jones,
is a candidate for Chief Judge, the place
now held by Hon. Charles B. Roberts.
The announcement is not well received
in Carroll, for the people wanted to be
spared another warm contest over places
upon the bench The bench as now con-
stituted is an acceptable one, and it was
hoped that it would be continued, by the
nomination without contest of Chief Judge
Roberts and Associate Judge Revell, and
their election in November.
Judge Jones is held in high esteem by
the bar and people of Carroll as fair and
able judge and courteous gentleman. He
has four more years to serve, and at the
end of his term they would have lent their
aid to his denomination and election.
Should he contest the nomination for
Chief Judge, the course of Carroll in the
future cannot be predicted with accuracy.
His candidacy now will be construed as
hostile to our interests. Further, his can
didacy may complicate matters and turn
the usual course of events. Suppose Judge
Jones be nominated for Chief Judge. The
convention that dominates him could not
nominate candidate to succeed him, for
there would be no vacancy. Should he
resign after being nominated, it would ne
cessitate the calling Of another convention
to nominate his successor. Ii he did not
resign, no successor could be elected. If
Judge Jones should be elected Chief Judge,
he would succeed Judge Roberts, and his
elevation to the chief judgeship would
leave vacancy to be filled by the Governor
until the next general election, in 1895.
IF Judge Jones did not resign, and
should fail of election, he would still be
Associate Judge, and could fill out the
term of fifteen years to which he was
elected in 1882.
1t is MOTTO be supposed that Judge Jones
wonld resign his present place in anticipa-
ton of being nominated to higher one.
And If nominated to the higher one, the
fact would not necessitate his resignation
as Associate Judge If he should resign
after being nominated for Chief Judge,
new primaries and conventions would have
to be held, putting the people to inconve-
nence and expense. If he should decide
to hold on, no vacancy in the circuit would
exist until his election in November, and
this wOnh place the filling of the vacancy
in the hands of the Governor. when the
constitution contemplates the selection of
the Judiciary by the people. If Judge
Jones should resign and be defeated at the
polls ne would be off the bench entirely.
The same situation exists in the first
judicial circuit. Judges Page and Lloyd
are on the bench by appointment, the
former as Chief Judge aud the latter
as Associate Both are candidates for the
positions they now hold. Associate Judge
Holland has announced himself candi-
date for Chief Judge Should he be
nominated, without resigning, there would
be no vacancy, and the convention could
not nominate any one in his place. Should
he resign after nomination, new primaries
and conventions would have 10 be held,
putting the people of the circuit TO in
convenience and expense, just as in this
eircait
What reasons exist for the candidates.
of Judges Jones and Holland, are not ap-
parent. The salary Of an Associate Judge
is greater now than was the salary of
Chief Judge when they first went on the
bench, and it is not likely matter Of salary
that inspires their candidates.. Each was
the senior judge of his circuit when chief
judges were appointed, but if they feel that
the Governor has sighted them in appoint
ing Others to the vacancies, they cannot
now be candidates for the purpose Of
showing the Governor that he erred, be.
eanse the people are not much interested
IN the matter, There is no law requiring
the promotion of judges on the score of
seniority, for the senior judge may not be
as well qualified as some one not on the
bench And all that the people require of
the Governor in filling vacancies on the
bench is that he appoint upright, able men.
The Democratic party is now harmonious
and united and it is hoped it will not be
disturbed and excited over Judiciary nomi-
nations.
Let the bench remain as it is, a strong
and upright one, by the nomination of
Tudrao Rohartr and Ravall