New-York tribune., 1896-10-07
.LIuGES 1GIINST REPLDIiTION.

The refusal of Justice Brown and Justice
Clement of the Supreme Court. TO be candi-
dates for recollection on the Bryan reputation
ticket Is a notable illustration of the opinion
which high h-mindcd men have of the Chicago
PLATFORM These justices were nominated by
the Sound Money Democrats rs well as by the
silver Democrats. This action was taken by
both parties with perfect understanding OF
their attitude on the money question: ana III
the feeling that the non-partsan idea of judi
cial selection could not be better carried out
than In Il ease where party was split on Il
question entirely disconnected with the Su-
premc Court Justices Brown and Clement
are gold standard men. but they are also eX-
collent judges. who had every right to hope
for reelection on their records. and the silver
men. from political point of view, did Tie
wscst thing possible in supporting them and
thereby obtaining the credit OF recognizing dis
tinguished merit wherever found.
Nobody would have blamed these gentlemen
If they had gone on and accepted whatever
votes came To them. They were not III the po-
sltion of John Boyd Thatcher. who tried TO be IA
gold man on silver PLATFORM By so doing
hc made himself the creature Of politicians who
were doing their best TO carry into effect what
he regarded ruinous policy. and he Of
fcr.d to do all he could To help them. The
justices, however. were favored 10y men of all
opinions. and they might without criticism
have accepted the support of al who were
willing 10 unite 10 reward their good service
and to continue 1t for the public benefit But
il comes 10 their knowledge that the Bryan
men consider their support in some manner as
binding them To look complacently, at least,
upon the reputation platform, and nice sense
of honor leads them to refuse to permit any
such Interpretation of what they had regarded
as non-partisan support. Justice Brown says
that he shall vote for Mckinley. and Justice
Clement, without stating how he will vote. is
equally emphatic ia his declaration for sound
money Both. rather than permit themselves
TO be Of the slightest aid to the frce-silver
cause, give up whatever prospect they had of
remaining on the bench which they have both
adorned.
II is unfortunate that the spirit of non-parti-
sanship should not have extended far enough
In the lid Judicial District 10 have given these
Justices Il reelection without opposition. though
the compensation Of the present situation is
that their sound-mOncy sentiment counts
against reputation tenfold what IL would have
done II no sacrifice had been required on
their part. II Is no reflection on the character
Of the judicial nominees Of the Republican Con-
venton to say that its failure 10 nominate all
three Of the Justices eligible To succeed them
selves Is to be regretted. Justices Brown,
Clement and Goodrich have all served the State
faithfully. II would have been graceful thing
for the Republicans. III time when party ties
are so loose and Democrats are so largely sup
! porting Republicans. TO have named for rc-rlcc-
tiOn these two Sound Money Democrats, Justice
Goodrich. and another Republican, Elscwh.;e
in the State Democrats have indorsed Rcpub
! lican judicial nominations. and even in or IL
nary years OF partisan activity the practice Of
! keeping the courts ont of politics is Il good one
| But unfortunately. other considerations pre-
vailed The Republican candidates will have
| the cordial support of the party and there is
! every reason TO hope that all four will re
! elected. 1t is. however no dsloyalty To them
/ to say that IL is pity that their success should
! carry with il the retirement from the Supreme
! Court Of two such jursts as Nathaniel ii.
Clement and Charles i. Brown.