The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-18
For the People to Decide,

There is, and most fortunately there
need be, in the minds of the people of
Scranton and vicinity no suggestion of
conflict between the two eminent Re-
publtcans who have recently been
named, by popular rumor. as candi-
dates for appointment to the bench of
the expected superior court There is,
in the first place, no room for a conflict.
Mr.. Willard, who has for forty years
been a busy practitioner of the law,
combining in his practice, to a degree
rarely equalled, studied knowledge of
legal principles with an acquired knowl-
edge of men and of business affairs Of
fers no basis for a rivalry with Judge
Archibald. the distinguished student of
the laws spirit and philosophy, whose
public career has been almost wholly
that Of the isolated jurist. The one is
pre-eminently a man of deeds; the
other, a man of thoughts. One is a
master of men; the other master OF
books. Both command admiration and
deserve preferment; but along dissimi-
lar lines which do not draw together
and hence cannot clash. The proposed
Superior court, which for many cases
will be the ultimate resort, will need
upon it's bench men of deeds, like
MIR. Willard, who can identify justice
by their sharpened experience, no less
than 1t will need men of thoughts, well
Hersed In the lore of books. The one
equipment is a logical and a necessary
supplement to the other.
If northeastern Pennsylvania could
place two candidates on this bench at
one time, we do not know where there
could be found a stronger team than f..
N Willard and r. w. Archibald, But it
Is a fact. clearly patent to the people
that while this section Of the common
wealth, by reason Of its diversified and
complicated special litigation, may
reasonably hope for representation on
the bench of this important court, it
ran neither expect two representatives
nor, by falling to emphasize it's prefer
ence, render feasible the appointment
Of one. In considering, then, which
candidate to prefer the question natur-
ally arises, Which one Is free to go? We
believe that this single question, when
fairly answered, will terminate all un-
certainty in the premises. If there is
any meaning to the vote of last Novem-
ber upon the judgeship question it
seems to us that 1t was an expression
of command from the people that Judge
Archibald should continue to preside
pver the courts of Lackawanna county,
at least until the opportunity for pro-
motion should carry with 1t no neces-
sary sacrifice of the peoples interests
here at home. This view of that vote
presupposes that those who reelected
compliment within their gift. that of
continuing him in the most honorable
office at their disposal.
Upon the other hand, Mr. Willard is
not only fully qualified to become a
Judge of the Superior court, but he is
30 situated that he can freely accept
this honor should 1t be proffered, and
bring to the new tribunal ample special
knowledge Of the, intricate litigation
arising from the so-called anthracite
counties. without in the least embar-
RAISING his home constituency. An ac-
reptance by him of this appointment
would neither cripple the local court nor
subject the people of Lackawanna