New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
think of these things. It is their eggs that oil
the reform basket.
JUDICIAL ASSESSMENTS.

The Testimony of ex-Judge DAILY, ex-Judge
PRYOR Mr.. Wheeler H. Peckham and Mr.. Gro
ker concerning the assessment OF judicial can
dIdates was not the most sensational part OF
the proceedings at Fridays session OF the
Mazet Committee. but yet It was full Of in
terest and importance. The fact Of such pay
ments 10 political organizations by candidates
for the bench has long been known. we sup
pose. TO all intelligent observers OF pollticai
affairs Indeed It had to some extent become
n matter of actual record before under the
law requiring candidates for office TO make
sworn statement of their election expenses
But the truth. and the significance Of it. are
made much more impressive by fridays test-
mony. Mr. Croker fully approves OF the sys-
tenn He considers IL the most natural ana
suitable thing In the world that men should
contribute great sums to the political organ
izatlcn which dominates them for the bench
and whose nomination Is equivalent to election
as well as that subsequently they should endow
the organization with their patronage. But
that Is not the opinion Of Judge DAILY. Judge
Pryor and Mr. Peckham We cannot believe
II Is the opinion OF any man who Is mt to Oc
cupy or aspire to the bench or OF any citizen
who deems IN independent and incorruptible
Judiciary the most essential requisite OF civil
government
The conclusion which Is certain to be de-
duced by citizens Of high character from FRI
davis testimony Is that it Is full time for judges
who want &c be renomnated and for members
Of the bar who want TO be judges TO resolve
that n depIorable custom shall not have their
support 1t Is believed to be common thing
for men who seek judicial office to agree 10
make certain campaign contribution before
they are nominated that is. in plain English
TO pny for the nomination. That Is presum-
ably not just the way in when they permit
the transaction 10 present itself TO their ninds'
but that Is Just about what II amounts TO- In
such cases a certain sum OF money Is expect
ed. and virtually demanded in advance. In the
calculations Of Mr.. Croker. for example, II Is
a condition of the nomination. Without sat
isfactory understanding on that point derived
from express or implied acquiescence In the as
sessment. nobody believes that Mr. Croker
would make the nomination. The judicial
aspirant therefore who should refuse to be
assessed would have to surrender his ambition
We'll Is that too great sacrifice to ask! Is
man who is not willing at that cost TO refuse
his nract,cal sanction to n custom which he
considers unseemly and deeply regrets ut to be
q Judge? To 90 a little further. is man who
does not regret the custom and consider 1t I'M
seemly fit TO be Judge?
Doubtless this sort Of thing has been done
without much reflection by good men and good
Judges The point make is that after Gro
ker's blunt avowal Of the relations which he
expects to be maintained between the judiciary
and himself such men have no excuse for not
rejecting. We refer to Croker because he Is
in evidence Just now. and the community
knows his mind on his own authority; but so
far as the principle goes we do not discriminate
between parties and organizations. judicial
assessments tend TO corruption They ought
TO be forbidden by law and made disreputable'
II not impossible, by the common consent OF the
legal profession.