The herald., 1896-09-03
THE JUDICIAL CONTEST
StruHGIe That 10 Now on Among Republicans
for Non. Prrf san Judicia~v

SssSABsO suot 70 tNOW uU A"Vu8 WepuoUG0u9
for Non. Part san Judicia~v
II the Goddess of Justice, with her bal
ances in hand, had a perch on the top
OF the court house of Los Angeles county
as she is wont to do on many a temple
of justice throughout California, and the
said goddess, instead of being blind,
could see, she might. by casting her
globes downward through composition
roofing, look into the palpitating, anx-
ious hearts of several mon partisan"
judges who are deeply concerned about
what their very partisan convention
will do In their own cases one week from
today.
The terms of the Judges Of
this county will expire by the
six years. limitation on January
l, 1897 The successors to four superior
judges are to be elected on November
Sd next.
The retiring judges are B. N. Smith,
w. H. Clark, Lucien Shaw and j. w.
Mckinley.
Waldo M. York and Walter Van Dyke
will hold their Office for four years more
Judges Clark. Smith and Shaw are
candidates for reelection. Judge Nc
Kinley will retire from tho bench.
Besides the three judges mentioned as
candidates to succeed themselves there
are about dozen other aspirants for
place on "a non-partisan judiciary"
subject. of course. to the forthcoming
Republican county convention.
The list at this writing, comprises
among others the following: Gen. H. A.
Pierce, w. T. Williams, E. A. Meserve,
w. S. Wright, c. c. McComas, Geo. NJ.
Holton. M. T. Owens, ex-Judge VIM. A.
Cheney, M. T. Allen and L. A Croft
Besides this array there are still others
q a Y,,nd Last To
selves.
The numerous candidates for these
offices have awakened unusual interest
in the contests and a very hot skirmish
Is In active operation at this time. OF
course the three staid and dignified
judges now on the bench do not propose
to tarnish the judicial ermines by trail
ing them in the dirty pool of politics. :"
but they have left no stone unturned
by way of reminding their several ad-
mirers and political friends to be about
the missionary work tonight. All of
their fences are being carefully looked
after in altogether too partisan man
ner.
AS for the leaders of the Democracy
they are not saying a word. but have at
least two able, spo' .ess gentlemen in
training who will declare themselves
Immediately after the Republican con-
vention,< provided certain one or two
aspirants are nominated.
A Herald representative has, for the
! past week, been engaged in making an
impartial investigation into the charac-
| ter and fitness of the several candidates
named from the standpoint of leading
members Of the bar of this county and
other prominent citizens. The conclu-
sions given are the result of expressions
of a majority nj these interviewed in the
| pre-. 4 es.
General Pierce has resided in Los An
| geles county for few years only. and
while he is sprightly old gentleman
and has some talent as an orator. he Is
| practically a stranger to the bar Of the
| city and the public generally: and for
i that reason. II for no other has not a
! ghost of show for the noniraton.
| w. T. Williams is row deputy dis
| tr.ct attorney. has practced law in Los
| Angeles for many years and Is well
| known to the bench. bar and public. His
| chances for the nomination are not
good If he should by hook or crook
! secure the nomination the Democratic
| members of the bar say they will defeat
him at the polls with ex-Judge A. w
! Hutton.
! l.. A. Meserve is ar able lawye: and
clever fellow generally. He was in.
dorsed by the bar association two years
ago for the vacancy caused by the death
of Judge Wade. He has made a race 70,
the district attorneys office aid is well
known throughout the county
w. s. Wright resides at Pasadena an6
is a fair man. But little is known of his
ability as a lawyer and there is ne
enthusiasm anywhere In "c~-ector
with his nomination.
c. G.. McComas is an able and an ag.
gressive lawyer and has All able ard ar
aggressive wife. Judge McComas has
many friends among the members of the
bar who would prefer. however, to see
him district attorney than on the bench
M. T. Owens is the city justice of Los
Angeles. He has impressed many per-
sons as being young lawyer of splendid
promise He Is gentleman of great
dignity OF character and scholarly at
tail.mentS.
George NJ. Holton was formerly dis.
trict attorney of Los Angeles county
and made good record. He is now tht