The news & observer., 1896-12-29
ELECTED A VARIETY OF OPIN-
IONS.

IONS.
In the current number OF he "Ameri-
can Law Review" the leading Law Mag
azine in this country, its accomplished
editor, d. Thompson formerly Of the Su-
preme court Of Missouri ana The author
of many leading legal works. devotes
some SIX pages 80 the consideration and
review Of the article constitutional
changes which are foreshadowed'' by
Justice Walter Clark, of North Caro-
lima. Judge Thompson says, 1.-The arti-
Gle in our hast number, under the above
title, written by Mr.. Justice Clark, of
the Supreme court of North Carolina, has
drawn forth a variety of opinions, Some
of the views therein expressed seem to
have met with a general concurrence"
Those in detail; he says the suggestions
that the President should be elected for
single term of six years and not be eligi-
BILE for reelection has received general
and cordial approval, as has also the
suggestion that the United States Sena-
tors for each State should be elected by
the people of each State instead of by its
legislature, but Judge Thompson ex-
presses the belief that this latter much
needed reform will never pass the SEN
ate itself till demanded by public senti-
ment so overwhelming that the Sena-
- - 80 ~a.vsc+ Tho Karo,NOs;fion hoe
twice passed the House of Representa-
tiyes, once unanimously and the other
time nearly so.
As to the suggestion that the Federal
Judges should be elected by the people,
the Law Review says, '4It is true, as
stated by Mr.. Justice Clark, that when
the present Federal judiciary system was
established, the judges of the State courts
were commonly appointed. and not elect
ed, and that the majority of the States
(nearly all in facO have subsequently
adopted the system of electing their
Judges for a term it is also
measurably true, as charged by him that
the Federal bench, with honorable ex-
ceptions, is the stronghold of the money
power and that it has unquestionably
shown leaning in favor of the rich and
powerful classes" Notwithstanding this,
Judge Thmopson thinks that the reasons
and public sentiment which have forced
the change as to State judges will be held
in check for a while yet before the cleo
ton of Federal judges can be placed in
the hands of the people.
AS to the suggestion Of the election of
postmasters by the people of each locality
for themselves instead of the present sys-
tenn of appointment on the recommends
ton of influential politicians, Judge
Thompson is opposed to the suggested
change. He, however, supports the nee
essity Of better government control of
interstate commerce Advocated by Judge
Clark and emphatically endorses his
proposal to attach the existing tele-
graphic and telephone systems to the
postofice department, which clearly ought
to be DONE"
Lawyers are proverbially conservative.
When a Law Magazine of the dignity and
influence of the American Law Review
which has a circulation throughout the
Union and which is presided over by
lawyer of the well-known ability of
Judge Seymour ID. Thompson (whO, by
the way, is an ardent Republican, de-
votes so large a space to the review Of
the article In question, SO much of which
is in approval of it, and evidently written
after consideration of the variety Of
opinions presented to him by his cores
pondents and subscribers, it is strong evil
dence that such matters are engaging
the thoughts Of leading lawyers and prac-
teal men The pressure of public senti-
ment is being felt-a sure pressure in
Republican countries of coming reforms.
In Sundays issue, we clipped from the
Congressional Record a resolution Of the
United States Senate ordering a reprint
(for the third time) Of another article by
Judge Clark on Government Telegraph
and Telephones" as a public document.
We note these matters,as current history,
not necessarily in con1mendation Of Judge
Clark, who we are sure does not desire
it, but as proof that there must be some