The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-21
BAR OPPOSES THE BILL.
LAWYERS DON'T WANT CITY COURT
JUDGE ELECTED BY PEOPLE.

tition, Prepared by city Attorney
Adams. Asking Representative in
the legislature to oppose the Pro-
posed Act-Mcmbcrs of Both Polit-
fcaI Factions Have Signed and the
Petition Is said 10 Have no Fac
tfoaaI, Political or Personal Sig
Dihcance-It Is n Question of Prin-
cipIe. Say the SiEners of the Peti-
ton.
A petition was circulated yesterday
among The members of the bar of Chat
ham county. embodyiug a memorial 70 the
county's Representatives in the Legislature,
and asking that no change be made IA the
present method Of eleeung a judge of the
CITY Court OF Savannah. The petition was
signed by majority Of the members of
the local bar
The petition is generally taken to be a
protest by the members OF the bar against
any law that will place the election of the
judiciary of the state in the hands Of the
people as a change opposed to the best
principles of public policy and likely to
cause those results that flow from the
presence and authority of judiciary that
is not absolutely free from partisan bias
and prejudice. 1t has been known that
most members of the bar have been OPP
posed to the measure confding the election
Of the judges of the Superior Courts of the
state 10 the people, and their opinion of
the inherent weakness OF such laws is
strengthened by the fact that the election
of the judge is to be placed in the hands of
particular section of the state over
which the judge elected will Immediately
preside. rather than in the hands of the
general public. The former the bar con-
sders much the worst condition of affairs.
The petition that has been so numerous
ly signed submits to the county's repre-
sentatives in the Legislature that any
change in the present law, by which the
judge Of the City Court is selected by the
Governor of the state, will be most unwise
and likely to result in great and appre-
ciable harm TO those who are responsible
for the election. There are no argumen-
tative statements, but the position is stat
ed as though ii were one that would prove
itself.
1t is requested that the representatives
of the county in the Legisla ture oppose
the passage of such a law and that they
use every measure in their power to Sc
cure its defeat. The idea embodied in the
petition is that the proposed law will re-
suit most injuriously to the people of the
city and county. and that il win place
the election of one of the most important
partisans whose nominee will own no re-
sponsibity to any Others than those to
whom he owes his election.
So far as can be learned the opposition
TO the passage of the bill is purely non
partizan. II has been signed by about
fifty members of the bar representing
every shade and color Of political or fac
donal belief or allegiance. and without re-
gard 10 any tie OF this character that
would serve TO bind them 10 any particu-
lar party or creed. 1t seems to have had
its inception in the desire of certain lead
ing members of the bar TO secure the opin-
ions of their fellows on this subject, and
with equal certainty II seems to have had
its desired effect
The petition was drawn and first signed
by Mr.. S. 3. Adams, who has been con
Sidered hitherto q prominent member of
the party or faction by which the ill was
TO have been introduced TIL members
of the bar who have been approached on
the subject of the petition, say that with
them II is pure question of principle and
that their action in signing IL has not been
determined either by the local political
situation and their relation thereto or by
any other consideration that has re-
gard to the personality of any
announced or prospective applicant for
the Office. They all say that they are op-
posed to any legislation that will place the
election of the judge of the City Court
In the hands Of the people of the county
and render his cleo lion dependent upon the
popularity of his decisions.
In speaking about the matter to a rep
resentatve of the Morning News Mr.
Adams said: THE petition has been pre-
pared and circulated with an absolute dis
regard OF any poliu al or personal consid-
GRAFTON. IL has had lis inception neither
In the desire to advance the interests of
any political faction. not ensure the cleo
ton OF any prospective candidate for the
office. lt was prepared by myself and |
intended to express in the few words it
contains, the disappro' aticn with which
the bar of the county, or those of its num-
Der who entertain sentiments akin to those
feel regard the plan to pace the cleo
ton of such an important judicial officer
In the hands OF the people"
In the Ireseni disturbed state Of fac
ticnal politics in the county / think it
would be most unwise 10 adopt such a
course, and ] am opposed on principle to
any law that places the election of the
judiciary in the hands of the people vo'-
ed at the last election against The bill pro
Niding that the election Of judges of the
superior Courts should be decided in this
manner The local conditions do not war
rant the hope that The election of a Judi
cial officer could he conducted with the
fairness and discretion that would render
MIN IN the future free from the faint or
suspicion of has in The conduct of the
affairs OF his judicial alton"
While 1t is improbable that any faction
al feeling is a the bottom of the circula-
ton of the petition. which supposition. ia
deed, is effectually nceatived by the vary
ing factional affi1iations of those whose
signatures have been affixed, il is never
theless true that the supporters of Judge
Norwood in his race 10 succeed himself as
judge OF the City Court have lent Their
strong support to the movement. There
are a number Of political circumstances
that have unconsciously lent their aid and
as result the petition has been most nu-
merously signed. Those who have offered
IL for the signatures Of the members Of the
bar say that il has been positively refused
Endorsement in only a very few instances,
those who did not want to sign it outright
asking the delay of a day or two in which
to consider.
Mr.. r. L. Coding has boen enc of these
most active in the circulation Of the petit
ton aud has himself carried IL 70 add Sc.
cured the signatures Of "A number Ct the
members of the bar Mr. Coldfuo gavs