New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-09
GOOD JUDGE TO KEEP.

One of the Justices Of the Supreme Court
whose term expires this year Is willard Bart
lett. Already the politicians are beginning 10
discuss the succession Justice Bartlett having
been originally elected as Democrat, II Is as
sumed that the Republican Convention OF the
I'D Judicial District will refuse to support him
for reelection and name a partisan candidate.
while word comes from Brooklyn that body or
the regular Democrats there will oppose his re-
nomination, partly because he Is not Tree
silver man, largely because he Is not in sym
pafhy with ring politics. Snch planning ana
discussion are usual in such case. seat on
the Supreme Bench does not fall vacant with
out awak!ng desires 10 occupy II. These desires
are perfectly honorable and We do not mean
to imply that any candidate might not properly
gain his ambition and be entitled 10 the support
of his political friends when We say that both
parties would do well TO select as Willard Bart
let's successor Willard Bartlett himself.
Justice Bartlett has served fourteen years in
the Supreme Court and is now an Appellate
Judge Though q gold Democrat in his political
affiliations no Republican ever had cause to
question his fairness, either In the determination
OF cases or in the distribution Of such work as
iu,lyes assign TO members Of the bar. In cases
OF a political character such as the old water
scandal litigation, he has shown himself abso-
lutcly free from partisan bias. 1t may be con-
coded that he lacks some OF the elements OF
personal popularity He Is precise. nervous ana
somewhat severe in manner But we do not
elect Judges because they are hail-fellOw-well-
met nor because they will be lenient with care
less law practice Justice Bartlett has wOrthily
and ably administered justice and he has prop
erly upheld the dignity Of the Bench In the
Appellate Division his experience Is needed and
his personal equation interferes with nobOdy's
ease His service has made him better and
more useful Judge than any new man would be
likely TO be.
II has come 10 be more and more custom
and we think a good custom-fOr both parties
in this State to unite in retaining OH the bench
Judge of tried capacity regardless Of his party
affiliations when first elected We regret. and
last fall expressed our regret. that peculiar cir
cumstances prevented the reelection at that
time by common agreement Of Justices Brown
and Clement: not because we in the least fail
TO appreciate the character or ability Of their
successors but because we feel that able and
honest Judges should not be lightly displaced.
The same view governs the present opinion that
the Republican party might wisely renominare
Justice Bartlett If it does the Democrats will
find il useless TO attempt to put some silver
ringster on the bench. Politics should not be
encouraged TO interfere with the judiciary.
Judge should not be taught that his chance for
reelection depends on his remaining an active
partisan and earning a denomination from his
own party leaders. since fairness will not earn
the other partys friendship When the judges
of the State Of Ncw-YOrk arc permitted by pub
lie opinion to use the judges chamber for the
management of primaries and the planning OF
campaigns our courts will be in need OF re-
vision. Happily, the majority Of our judges are
free from such ambition, and they should be
permitted to remain so.