The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-04

An effort Is being made TO unite the
sftorueys of this state IN a movement 20
sesn,re the adoption Of two constitutional
amendments providing for the election Of
sunreme and superior court Judges al a
scscial judicial election 90 be held on the
second Monday In July Of every fourth
war. The purpose II 10 take the election
~ the Judiciary entirely out Of politics.
In order 10 have the choice OF the judges
suIden by the question ~ merit only. n
a Intended 20 allow no nomina tons 10 be
made by any political party. and In case
such nominations arc made. the per
sous favored will be disqualified from be-
coming candidates.
Under the amendments proposed. aft
nominations for judicial elections are 20
- made BY petition. For judges Of the
supreme court these petitions must bear
ths signatures Of at least 900 qualified
electors OF the state. and must be fled
Nth the secretary OF state sixty days
urfor 20 the date OF election. Those
wtahine TO have their names upon the
ballots as candidates for the superior
bench must secure the Endorsement Of $50
voters OF the district over which they
desire 10 preside, and must file this petit
lion with the county auditor forty days
before election
win the names thus secured. special
ballots are TO be prepared for each SUI
perior court district. and an election held
In accordance with the general elect on
laws Of the state. The only requirement
nh0ut the ballots IL that upon them shall
appear no words Of political designation.
The amendments intend that the Judges
shall take office the second Monday In
January following their election. The
superior Judges will serve -four years.
= At present while the tenure OF office
Of the supreme Judges Is TO be increased
fran ak to eight years.
In addition TO making the judiciary IN
dependent Of politics. a number OF other
advantages are being urged In favor -
H. amendments II is claimed that as
political chickering's do not enter into the
election. the system will result in. the
elevation OF the most able lawyers 10
TIE bench. The men who will not now
consent because OF their objection to en-
tefing politics. can then be induced to
permit their names to go before the peo-
pls
Another result expected from the
amendments, although there In no way
u making provision for II In the text In
that the attorneys, who are the people
most Interested. In the personnel OF the
judiciary. will have much greater in
huence In the election than at pre- sent.
The choosing of the judiciary will net in
ssrt9i the general run OF the voters, AMI
/ Inrxe proportion OF them will probably
not 20 10 the polls. The bull< Of the vote
viii b. cast by the attorneys and such
Of their friends as they are able TO in
tefest In the election.
A circular letter outlining tho reasons
tor desiring q change in the method Of
.erlectink the judiciary and accompanied
" copies Of the proposed amendments
b being sent out from Spokane 10 Lead
M attorneys In all parts OF the state.
II h hoped TO secure the passage of the
amendments by the Legislators at the
coming session II this II accomplished
they VIII he submitted for the approval
v the people at the election In Novem-
mr. leo