The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-28
Life Tenure for Judges.

We are not surprised to see some Of the
press OF the State which Is opposed TO progress
this State. Had such been the case now what
predicament the people would have been In.
Some OF the judges were disposed to override
all law, or make and repeal laws TO suit them
and the people had as we'll be at the devil and
done with IL. No, four years is long enough
It Is easier TO re.elect than to impeach. The
people are often better Judges than the
at least.-The Cotton Plant.
While the Press and Banner is opposed to
the HE tenure for judges, we are against it on
different grounds.
The courts Is a branch OF the government
distinct and separate arm Of the body poll
tic-and there Is no more reason for life ten
ure for the Judges than there is for a life ten
ure for the Governor and other State officers,
or for members OF the General Assembly.
As we would oppose making a single indi-
vidual Governor for life, SO we would oppose
the making OF any man a Judge for life.
We would not like for the proposed State
Convention to make the tenure Of mem bers
OF the General Assembly for life
There are three distinct co ordinate branch
es Of the government, namely: The judicial,
the Executive, and the Legislative. If the
judges are allowed TO seize their Office for life
why not allow the present Governor and the
members OF the Legislature to do the same?
There Is no reason under the sun why diff.
ferent rule should apply to one arm Of the
government, than is not enfocred for or
against the other.
The State officers and the members of the
General Assembly must act 80 as to meet the
approval OF the people, II they would remain
In Office. and 1t is wholesome and healthy for
the Judges to act In q way so as TO merit the
we'll done Of their fellow-citizens.
We make no slur at any ex-Judge or on any
Judge IN Office. We believe that they are
men OF good character, and have done and
will do their duty honestly and conscientious
ly, but that is not the question. The con-
stantly recurring question is. do the people
want them to remain longer in office? That
Is the question.
1t doesn't matter 80 much whether this man
or that man is better, or more able, or more
learned In the law. The main thing is, TO let
the people elevate to Office the man, or men,
OF their choice.
Take the jury system, as an instance. We
draw our neighbors as jurors and submit our
lives and our fortunes in their hands. We do
this because Of our confidence in their integ-
rity and their sense Of right and wrong.
Nobody supposes that the jurors knowledge
OF the law would compare to that Of the
Judge and the lawyers at the bar. They are
not chosen with any such ideas. But, the
power OF the juror over our property and life
is. in one sense, greater than that of the Judge
himself
The jurors are required to render judgment
Ia few hours. while the Judge, learned in
the law, may some times require months in
which TO make his decision.
Cases are tried before a jury OF our peers to
ensure satisfaction TO the people. The jurors
are our neighbors, and we may object to them
for cause, but trial by jury gives the best
satisfaction. Nobody would want jury
composed Of Judges to 60 trampoosing
around over the State aoquitting one man
and convicting another. Whether the ver-
diets Of Juries composed Of our own people
meet public approval or not, the plan is more
than any other.
We don't want O juror to serve for life
time, and we can excuse Judge at the end Of
four years, II he does not give satisfaction.
As the Cotton Plant was glad to get rid of
some Of the old time Judges, so some OF the |
rest OF as might object to having Tillman !
Judges put on us for life.