The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-06-21
OUR JUDICIARY.

We were in jackson when the conclud
ing section of our constitutional Article
No. 9 on the Judiciary was being dis
cussed and passed, and remember hear
ing Judge Chrisman say, mississippi
had the finest judiciary system OF any
state in the Union" and after careful
reading of the Article We are inclined
to the same opinion. The Judges of our
Supreme. Circuit and ChaRcery courts
are appointed by the Governor, with
the advise and consent of the Senate, "
and have to take the following oath be-
fore entering upon their duties. II do
solemly swear Tor affirm) that will ad-
minister justice without respect to per-
sons, and do equal right to the poor and
to the rich, and that / will faithfully
4 and impartially discharge. and perform
all the duties incumbent upon me, ac-
cording to the best of my ability and
underst nding, agreeably to the consti-
tuition of the United States, and the con-
| stitutiOn of the State of Mississippi, so
help me God" 1t is impossible for the
people to be as well informed, as well
acquainted. or as well qualified TO judge
of the honesty and ability of lawyer
seeking positions of judgeships as the
Governor and members of the Senate who
are in public life and who have been
chosen by the people themselves for
their fitness for their relative positions.
The judges of our Federal Supreme
Court and our foreign ambassadors are
thus chosen and are honorable and hon.
est officials generally. The judicial err
mine should never be dragged through
the Shiny trail and reeking atmosphere
OF modern political methods to reach
the temple of justice nor be dependent
upoa the passions prejudice and igno-
rance of the great heard of the vOx-
POPULI for position and retention of
power. Justice has been represented as
blind so as not to be able to influence the
So a Judge should be blind to
popular favor or clamor in the execu-
zion of his official duties. The Areo-
pagus, MARS HilD the famed court of
ancient Athens was created by Scion,
and the judges retained their position
for life, and were old, and experienced |
men Of integrity, whose decisions were
models Of Justice, and who exercised |
beyond Their criminal jurisdiction a
general power over public affairs. Iso-
crates points to them as one of the
sources Of the happy days gone by, be-
fore Pericl.s seeking to ruin his pc pile
'or selfish ends, and being opposed by
he Are0pagus had it robbed of all its
power except criminal. through meas
Ire proposed and carried by his friend
Gphialtes during the absence of timon
he conservative leader. DemagOgueS
md politicians wrecked the glorious re-
'ublics of Greece, and Rome through
he medium of the common people, who
yer have and ever will listen to their
ophistry and seductive infiences even to
he verge of destruction. Cesar was the
dol of Rome, yet he sought her ruin as
republic through the influences he had !,
yer the people. The only objection to !
he appointment of the judiciary is the
over it gives the Governor to, fortify 9
imself in power BY rewardihg his fol-
,wers. This h0weaer is Of minor i'm
ortanee because if the people are cap
BILE of electing pure and able Judi j.
ry they are ab e to elect man for
ovenor who would be too pure and
onest to be. guilty Of personal ambition
the ,detriment Of the public good,
psides they elect the Senators who have
} confirm the appointments, making
lie Judges virtually elected by them.
is our judgement that we will have a
etter class of Judges and Chancellore :
nder the present appointive system and
lat we need no change