The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-10-28

submission Of amendments, In
every instance, the courts up
held the amendment, holding
that any number of different Off.
GERS and different propositions
could be embodied in one amend
ment, il there was any connee-
ton TO common subject matter,
such as with us, a change from
ar appointive to an elective judi
ciary.
The chief fight made on the
pending amendment is insidious
and exceedingly unfair. Men
and journals who would oppose
the elective judiciary principle,
in any form, proheblv realizing
that they are in n woeful MINORS
ty, If the question is voted on
understandingly, in dnstrinusly
seek, by interposing and con-
stantly reiterating. cnptious OBJ.
jeotions to details, to divide and
discourage its friends. No po-
litical reform was ever accom-
plished except by its mutual con-
cessions Of its supporters. Minor
details should never be permitted
TO stand in the way of the success
Of valued principle.
An elective judiciary is not an
untried experiment. In 1892 il
was adopted as a part Of our con-
stitution, and prevailed until
1869, when the carpet-bag gov
ernment reinstated the appoint-
i've system, whose abuse was
proved in the Ames impeachment
proceedings Chancellor Dren-
nan was driven from his judicial
position because he would not
obey the governors request 10
discharge a man from custody
whom he believed TO be guilty OF
murder. Under that era Of the
appointive system, no state was
ever cursed with a more ineffi-
cient set Of judges, as a class,
then was foisted upon MISSISSIPPI
pi; and proves the extent to
which abuses Of an appointive
judiciary can be carried. OF the
forty-five states in the Union all
have an elective Judiciary, ex-
cept six or seven, including Mis-
sissippi. In no state in which an
elective system prevails ID there
any complaint, from the people,
OF its workings nor desire, on
their part, for change. II is
not satisfactory TO those politi-
clans who are more influential
with the governor u an with the
majority Of voters. Consequent-
ly, these politicians, while oeca-
sionally voicing complaint and
desire for a return of the old or
der Of things, do not attempt to
have the question resubmitted 10
the people, well knowing the adj
verse result.
Negroes, tax delinquents and
illiterates are practically exclud-
cd from any control Of our state
affairs. The white people who
make the nominations are not
surpassed, in virtue Of intelli-
gence, by those of any other
state, or any other period of our
own state. Schools and colleges
are more numerous and better
patronized than before the war.
Communication and travel is in
finitely easier, cheaper and more
general. The elective system that
then prevailed, most successful-
ly, would now give entire sa.is-
faction, If it were given trial.
Should il not prove SO, the re-
suit would be apparent, and a
return could be had to the one
man power appointiye system
now prevailing. On the contrary,
such method Of selection ele.ates
the incumbent above the whims
or personal preferences Of any
one man or class. II this is rot
true of the judicial officers it is
not true Of any other; and popu-
lar elections and the republican
form OF government is a failure.