The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-04
SHALL BERKELEY HAVE
APPOINTED JUDGES?
LOCAL OPINION DIVIDED UPON
THE SUBJECT.
Oppose the New Charter
Amendment.

BERKELEY, Sept. 3.-Active interest
is now developing in the matter of a local
Police Judge. A recent decision of the Su-
preme Court annulling the legal status Of
Berkeley's Justices Court, on the ground
that such could not exist under a free
holders charter, has made necessary a
special election for the purpose of provid-
ing for local Police Judge. The election
is to be upon an amendment to the town
charter, establishing a Police Court. That
such move is not only necessary but i'm
perative everybody acknowledges, but
decided difference of opinion exists as to
the way in which the judge should hold
office.
The Board of Trustees, together with
the Town Attorney Brewton A. Hayne,
have a strong preference for system of
appointment. and they. have carried this
ment, which is to be voted upon on Octo-
Der Is The amendment reads: "a Police
Court is hereby established in and for the
town of Berkeley, to be held by a Police
Judge, to be appointed by the Board of
Trustees of said town, who shall hold Of
flee for two 90 years from and after his
appointment.
when asked for his opinion concerning
this Town Attorney Hayne said: THE
objection to having our Police Judges ap-
R3inted seems to me utterly It; groundlesss:
town officers, believe That judge
should be appointed and not elected, An
elective judiciary 49, oce ao
pied with an elective judiciary, is one of
the most serious problems which confront
our municipal governments; No sooner
is a Judge elected than he begins to lay
his plans and log-roll for reelection. If
that were done without regard to causes
pending before the judge. no such harm
would result but is that always the case?
OF course a large majority of judges are
above this sort of thing, and think that
very small percentage Of the charges
1v,e4 fHny,N ovn fr11n q 10Th M .IDr
opinion probably holds the contrary view
The feature of the appointed judge, to my
mind, is the chief recommendation of the
proposed judiciary amendment"
While a larger section of the commun-
ity agree with Town Attorney Hayne, the
measure is finding much opposition. The
clared emphatically against it. There are
people, too, who find in the proposed in
novation as many evils as in the meth
follow in the old way. The Good Govern
ment Club will meet next week to take
some stand in the matter The North
to support it. Meanwhile the question is
gaining more prominence, and the issue
promises to cali forth strong expressions
Of public opinion from both sides.
Hospital Work Progressing.
BERKELEY, Sept. 3..-,Active work has
Berkeley branch Of the Red Cross Society
for furnishing the two beds in the Red
Cross Hospital at the Preside which are
to be provided by residents of the uni
versity town: Everything is. now com
plete and will be sent over to the Preside
Immediately. The bedding required was
purchased with funds from the treasury
Of the local society. All the articles have
been marked Berkeley" Charles Kuler
name, to hang over the beds. The feather
pillows came as a gift from the West
Berkeley branch The two little dau4n-
ters of Mrs. Barondis contributed a dozen
pillowslips and six sheets. The girls of
The State Institute for the Deaf and Dumb
and Blind assisted by making twelve Of
the sheets. The girls of Miss, Heads
school likewise did their share. The work
throughout has been under the direction
of Mrs w. B. Seabury, president of the
local chapter.
Saw q Grewsome Object.
BERKELEY, Sept. 3-As John Coburn
was walking along the shore at West
Berkeley to-day, he saw what appeared
to be a woman's head floating in the
hay Afraid to touch the thing himself
he reported the matter at once to the
notice. An officer was detailed to cap
t,Ire the CHASTITY object, but before he
could return to shore it had been washed
out into the bay again and was nowhere
to be seen.