The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-04
JUDGES IN POLITICS.
A Masterly Lecture by tho Chief jas
tice of G,eerGja.

A Masterly Lecture by the Chief JUS
tice of Georgia.
Atlanta, Ga, June l, 1S94-Editor Constitu-
ton: judicial names should not appear on
the roll OF militant politics-certainly not
on the commissary staff. This IS so plain
that 1t 13 difficult to credit the suggestion
lately made through the press to the effect
that some members of the judiciary are at
the present time active factors IN polltlcal
conbina TONS for the distribution of rations.
IL such an evil prevails, it is attributable,
I believe. to the mistaken view honestly en-
tertatned that a judge pending his term Of
office may lawfully liquidate his political
debts. This view is too erroneous to be
long adhered to and must soon be oVerrujed
and abandoned. The true theory is thai
every Judge is politically insolyent. lie mas
suspended political business and has
sets. His creditors must indulge him until
his judicial career has terminated. Then,
ii he viii, ne may accumulate fresh capital
ana settle with his friends to the utmost
farthing. He need not forget any of his OBJ
legations while temporarily disabled from
meeting and dischargins them. His reten-
tive memory and their own robust hope
should content his friends so long as his
disability continues. They have no cause
TO complain OF Il delay which they them
selves rendered necessary by retiring him
from the political arena and cOnSiGnng him
to the judicial cloister To expect a judge
G. Judge is hardly less homogeneous than
dunning a priest when he is officiating at
the altar.
L have said that a Judge has no assets;
perhaps it would be more accurate to say
that he takes a political homestead on
all his assets for and during his term OF
office In either the same consequence
results for in either case he is, and ought
TO be- completely Independent OF his poilt-
ical creditors. 1t is needless to add that
being restrained from paying his debts, he
has no riSht to make donations. In short,
he should consider himself IN temporary
Seclusion from active politics, with no polit-
zeal functions to vote as he pleaseS
like any other citizen.
Having said this much by way of laying
down sound doctrine touching the official
order to which ] belong. L beg to refer
briefly article which appeared in
the columns of a weekly newspaper reflect
ing upon the judicial ability and competen-
cy of my colleague and brother, Judge
Samuel Lunlpkin, and suggesting that he
ought to resign. OF the imputed Improperly,
or supposed improperly, which provoked the
article l shall say nothing, having per-
son&l knowledge of the merits or dement's
of that question. But l have such knoW-
edge touching the qualifications integrity
and industry OF Judge Lu.nplxin aSSo-
ciate justice of the supreme court. TOilng
with him for more than three years. L
cannot be mistaken in pronouncng him emf
nenty fit in all respects for the position he
occupies. Nature has endowed him with
an apt and ready judicial mind; ne is
learned in the law and his application,
energy and industry cannot be surpassed.
He is anxious 60 decide correctly every case
and on or OFF the benCh is more
impartial or more loyal to truth and jus
tce. 1t is Il grave mistake 10 suppose or
suggest that he ought to resign. On the con-
trary, We're he to do it would be a ca
lamity Co the state. In my opinion, the
work Of his life should be judicial, and
that alone. l sincerely wish him evil for
tune In politics so that the state may long
have his services on the bench, if not by his
own preference, by sort of indirect COM
puision through mortifpa ton of his poiit-
ical ambition, il he has any. Yours
truly, L.. f. BLECKLEY.