Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-31
snnrema Court Judges.

Several well-known newspaper cores
pondents writing from Richmond have
given gueascs as 10 how the new virginia
Supreme Court Of Appeals ia 10 be con-
stituted. and three out OF the five names
given are nearly always the same. From
this II would appear that legislative senti-
| ment has focused in the direction OF
| this trio.
| We do not know whether our friends
| Information Is accurate or not; nor do we
| know whether there are 10 DO "combna-
tons" or not: nor do We know whether
| the aspirants for these places are at work
getting votes for themselves or not-but
! We believe that II these conditions do not
| obtain now things at the Capitol are DIFF
fcrent from what they have usually been.
Gentlemen seeking such places az these
have not infrequently worked to get
elected. Some did it directly and some In
| directly. And "a 10 the wrapping OF
| votes-which is about the only practical
way of forming "a combindery 1t
has been done in Virginia from time I'M
memorial.
In this very way the State got saddled
with a debt for Internal Improvements
which she would not otherwise have had
There the practice should have ceased.
but II didn't. So we needn't hold up our
hands IN horror OF practices which have
ever been the accompaniment OF the
distribution OF Offices in this State. and
every State Of the American Union.
There IS nothing very new and nothing
very nice about them; but we shouldn't
be shocked at hearing Of them now, as
II they had just come into vogue.
in our opinion the General Assembly Of
Virginia has been as free as any legisla-
tive body that ever existed for the same
length Of time from purchasable mem
bers: but we have had our share Of log
rolling" vote Swapping" and elections
made on account OF the personal popu-
larity Of the candidates.
70 DO sure we should like TO gee our
members aim to DO better than their
predecessors have done-we would have
them make merit the sole test-but we are
constantly reminded that "there is a great
deal OF human nature in people'--in peo-
pie OF this generation as in people Of the
past.
out Of all tho men whose names are
presented % the Democratic caucus We
should like to gee the caucus select the
five best-the five best suited for men,
bership Of our highest court Character
and qualifications should determine each
voters choice. There ought 70 be no
public "wonder'' why this. that. or trc
other man Of the five was nominated.
And yet we must concede that all men
are not equally gifted in picking and
choosing" Judges; nor do all men occupy
the same point OF view in looking at can
didates' credentials. Nevertheless, view
ing the matter as we do we should be de-
lighted to see the caucus present the
names Of five men who are we'll known
to the public. and whom the people know
to b. lawyers Of exalted character and
recognized abilities as practitioners.
The course we recommend Is for each
member TO vote for five Of the best men
he knows: men whose selection the people
will approve. This done. while there may
bc-and no doubt there viii bc-some dis
satisfaction. this must soon wear of under
The conviction that members did the best
they know how. to carry into effect the
wishes OF their constituents.