The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-03-22
The Judpeship.

After more than the usual difficulties
incident to political conventions, the re-
publicans have made a nomination for
the important position of circuit Judge
Whatever may have been the preferences
of individual republicans as to who the
nominee should be, now that the nomina
ton is made, Judge Heckert is the can
didate of the whole republican party of
the Seth judicial circuit. The Northerner
has not word of fault to find with those
republicans who, in the old 9th circuit,
were ardent admirers and supporters of
the candidacy of Judge Buck; but con-
circuits are not such as they were at the
time the judicial contest commenced;
and we are certain that the republicans
who supported Judge Buck did so be-
cause of their admiration for him rather
than because of any luminosity towards
Judge Heckert.
1t is charged that the change in
judicial circuits was made for no other
purpose than to help out the republican
party, who were in deadlock in the
convention in the old circuit. Nothing
could be further from the truth For
two or three years past the matter of
exactly the change that has now been
made has been under consideration in
all of the counties that are affected by it.
The bill changing the circuits was in
troduced in the legislature early in the
session and would have come before that
body in due time, regardless of the action
of any political organization or conven-
ton. There is not the slightest ground
for alleging that this legislation was
enacted for the assistance of anybody.
The voters of the Both circuit must
now confront conditions as they are. We
have in the circuit at present no counties
except Van Buren, and Cass, no candi-
dates except Judge Heckert and Mr..
Carr. There is no reason existing why
Judge Heckert should not receive the
support of all members of his party in
both Van Buren, and Cass counties. His
legal ability is unquestioned. Indeed,
we have heard no claim made that he is
not the full equal of any attorney within
the boundaries of the circuit. For eight
years Judge Heckert occupied the i'm
portant position of judge of probate in
Van Buren, county and made one of the
best officials the county has ever had in
that capacity. All the affairs of the
office were administered fairly and i'm
partially, and no word of fault can be
found with his record as judicial
officer There is no reason to believe
that he would not make fully as credit
able a record in the position of circuit
Judge for which he is now a candidate.
Judge Heckerts honesty and integrity
are well known characteristics, and his
whole life has been marked by the most
rigid adherence to sense of right and
Justice AS Judge, he would be certain,
to decide all matters coming before him
with fearlessness and impartiality.
Judge Heckert is an old soldier with
an honorable military record. In event OF
his election the present is probably the
last time he will appear before the peo-
pie as a candidate. The veterans cannot
be long with us and few honors can yet
be given them 1t seems to us the
present instance is one i'm which the
honor should certainly come. There is
normal republican majority in the Both
circuit, and with so capable a candidate
as at the present time, there should be
no doubt of republican success. Every
republican in the district owes it to him
self and to his party to work and vote for
the republican judicial nominee.