The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-11-16
An important Change in judicial
Elections.
Ration Rouge Advocate.

Baton Rouge Advocate.
Anfmportant innovation that occurs
in onr present constipation, concerning
indicial elections. se9ms to have es-
capped public attentiog. The discussion
of the many theories and systems IN
the selection of judicial officers. before
,he late Constitutional Convention
evolved sort of compromise OF seVerai
systems. Life tenure ana executive
appointment. special elections and long
,arms and finally the old hemely sys-
| tenn of contest in the general hurdle
race with thu balance ofthe State, dis
,r;rt and paraehiaI officers were all
tborou obly discussed The result was,
as before stated, sort of compromise.
In the city of New Orleans, the district
indoes were TO be elected for twelve
wear terms and at the same time As
con gressional elections. that is. disasso-
,.iated from all other State and paro-
chial officers.
The Constitution further provided
that the Judges and District Attorneys
in the country parishes first elected un-
der the new Constitution, should hold
office for four and a half years, Article
100 closing as follows
The first district judges under this
Constitution shall be elected at the
general State election in 1900, and
shall hold Office until their successors
are elected al the election on the Tues
dav after the first Monday in Novem-
Der. 1904, at which time, and every
four years thereafter. district judges
shall he elected for terms of four years.
.Vacanies occasioned by death. re-
signation. or otherwise, shall be filled
for the nGexp:red term by appointment
by the Government, with the advise
and consent of the Senate"
1.-The same rule maintains concerning
District Attorneys. they being provided
ton. The qualifications of both remain
about the same as under the Constitu-
ition of 1879
} Both of these innovations look to the
elevation of the third department of the
State government. The change from
the appointiye system in New Orleans
was so modified as TO improve the sys-
TEN, as we believe; that is, by separa-
ting the dates of election and extend.
ing he tenure.
Under the new law. the judicial elec-
ton in New Orleans will take place
concurrent with the ongressional eee-
ton in Maven her of next year. At that
time successors to Judge J. g Baker of
The criminal court and Judges T. G. w.
Ellis and F. d King of the civil court
will be elected. each for term of
twelve wears. The other judges for these
courts were elected last November.
But the change in the system. in the
country parishes win mean much.
Heretofore Distriot Judges and District
ATTORNEYS have had 'pOt luck' with
all local political revolutions. The
usual trading and swapping and schem
ing has been in order and the chance of
politics has often, decided the issue.
Not So in the future Every tub will
stand squarely on its own bottom. No
side issues, no trades or combinations,
except those at long range. will deter
mine these two grave and important
selections.
Speaking in general terms, the
change will be most desirable and ben
effcia!. Those whose good records and
efieient services have won the conf
deuce of the people will have easy sail
ing aud small expense or trouble with
a campaign. The people will have a
direct shot at unqualified and unworthy
judicial officers. 1t is only the IN
worthy and unacceptable Judge or dis
trirt attorney who need fear a contest
before the people strictly upon merit.
The first test Of the new system in New
Orleans has given perfect and absolute
satisfactlon We anticipate similar re-
suits in the country parishes.