The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-30
REFLECT Judge Archibald.


shown during a brief test under high
pressure presents better claim to CRATE
tul recognition than ripe experience and
meritorious service covering an event
ful period Of years. This is substan-
TALLY the attitude assumed by our polite
contemporary, the Truth, in its staunch
advocacy Of the substitution on the
bench of Lackawanna county of Judge
Z. 2. Smith for Hon. r. w. Archibald.
Our afternoon neighbor, resorting to
the argumentum ad hominem, IMPLIES.
as we understand its words, that The
Tribune would esteem more highly an
editor who could, on the spur of the
moment, dash off an acceptable article
than 1t would one who should need a
whole day to collect his thoughts. May
we beg leave to contend that the Illus
tration is not apropos?
In the first place, Judge Archibald, DUR
Ing ten-years' term of service on the
bench, has met and discharged every
duty promptly and with entire fair
ness. 1t is not just to him to imply
that because he has been an acceptable
public servant for whole decade-dur-
Ing which period his experience has
necessarily ripened, his knowledge of
the laws specially adapted to this region
widened, and his entire character as a
jurist broadened and improved-he
would not be equally acceptable during
another term. To establish the rule
which underlies the Truths argument
would be to put a discount on long and
faithful service; and a premium upon
meteoric flash-like service. We VEN
ture to believe that the proprletors Of
our estimable afternoon contemporary
would be the last men in the world to
discharge trusty employe simply be-
cause he had been in their employ ten
years, in behalf of one who had been
foisted upon them, by appointment,
against their own wishes, for a few
months only.
Let us here review, briefly, the facts
Of the present struggle over Lacka-
wanna's judiciary. Judge Archibald,
the Republican nominee, who is pre-
sented for reelection, was the unani-
nous and spontaneous choice Of his
party. Not delegate was solicited in
his behalf. Not vote was cast against
him. Without syllable of protest or a
sign of dissatisfaction, he was rendered
by the party which first presented him as
its nominee, a denomination by accla-
nation. Wherein, then, can 1t be said
that he represents partisan faction or
a political coterie? The ten years that
he has been on the bench have been
years of important and well-sustained
trial. He bears the Endorsement not
only of few months successful work
but of q whole decade of such work
To denyhim the common justice of re-
election without specification of faults
or citation Of the essential particulars
in which he has failed to come up to the
popular standard would be un-Americar
and unfair Yet no such specifica
ton; no such bill of error has been pre-
sented before the electoral jury.
Upon the other hand, Hon. p. p
Smith, when selected to fill out the un
expired term Of the late Judge Connolly
was certainly not the Republican choice
nor was he the choice of a majority o
the Democrats of this county. He wa
appointed as the outgrowth of a per
sonal acquaintance with the Demo
cratic governor; and when, at the elec
ton following, he came before the peo
pie for approval, majority voted tina
they had no wish to continue Mr. Patti
sons appointee in Office If in the pres
ent struggle, therefore, there be an.
suggestion of craftsmanship; or an.
"reminiscences calculated to call int
question the strict and unswerving in
tegrity of the bench, it must com
from the candidacy Of Mr.. Smith, VIII
has forced himself upon the Dem
ocrats of Lackawanna count
against their original preference and
If we may believe the talk current q
that time, almost against their toler
ance, instead of from that of Mr.. Arch
bald, against whose unsolicited renomi
nation not q whisper of objection wa
breathed, in convention or since.
When faithful servant is summaril
dismissed without explanation or caus,
1t argues poor judgment on the part c
the employer, rather than demerit o
the part of the servant. The dominat
ing character, conscience and INTEL
: gence in Lackawanna county will surel
not commit, next Tuesday, the mis-
take of deposing faithful jude
whose ten years service upon our benc
has been record of answering justic
n administered with scrupulous fairnes
and honor; of dlsmissing him upon til
sole plea that he has been a good jude
too long.