The Forrest City times., 1896-01-31
ARE THEY QUALIFIED?

After all the talk about candidates for chief Justice. why slould not Judge Bum succeed himself? Has he not come mp to the judicial standard, or is it at all proba bic that man better qualified in all respects will be found? The Democrats remarks yesterday concerning the reelection of Chief Jus 1 tice H. C. Bum. and his fitness for the position. are equally applicable to Associate Justice .. T. Hughes. It is not good policy t0 change our supreme court justices when they are once ac- cepted as qualified for the position.- Arkansas Democrat.
 A we'll defined 'rumor" from author i ity considered excellent. charges the Supreme court with inactivity, few written decisions, much too often in clined to render oral opinions, which are of no service to the bar for future reference, a general apathy and lack of energy and proper dispatch of business, and a consequent loss of dignity and l importance. The Supreme Court of Arkansas, once the pride of every citi- zen, has of late years lost much of it's brilliancy, much of it's importance, and much 0f it's value as a court of cita- tion.
 Judge s. r. Hughes is a nobleman. We have voted and labored for him time and az 4ia. He has been constant y in public office for two score or more of years. He is aged; he has served his constituents we'll considering his ability, which is not inconsiderable But the bar and the people should and do demand a more active court; court whose decisions and opinions. founded upon the law and facts, will meet the endorsement of all fairminded and dis. interested men and lawyers, and which will be valuable to the Arkansas Re- l ports. as book of reference to just fatalities in the matter of the applica- tion of the law to the misunderstand- ings and disagreements of men.
 For this reason HE TIMES favors a change. It does not indorse the poi icy of putting in or keeping in office men who are unequal to the demands which the office makes upon them. The very first question to ask ourselves in ar irving at a choice for public servant should be "Is he competent, physically and mentally, to discharge the duties imposed upon him by the office he seeks
 Competency, sobriety, honesty. vigor, Intellectually, sincerity, punctuality integrity and adaptability to his envir- onments and duties, all of these and more, should be carefully weighed against any man who aspires to pub- lie trust. If he then be found not wanting, let him be called.
 THE TINES believes that Judge Hughes has done the best he could, but he is wanting in many of the essen- tials of lustrous court, and should be retired
 TIE TIMES learns with some satis- faction that Judge \. W. Norton of this city has yielded to the importuni- ties of the bar and other friends throughout the state, and is a cand- date for Associate Justice THE TIMES has known him intim ately for ten years and is prond to say that in him it sees all of the attributes and qualifications that it believes absolutely essential to a distinguished juriSt. We note with pleasure the many complimentary no- tices of him in the press of the state which are justly bestowed.
 With great respect for Judge Hughes We think Judge Norton should receive the nomination for Associate Juestice ot the Supreme court of Arkansas.