The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-02-07
The Circuit Judgeship.


For many years the First Judicial
Circuit of Wisconsin has been pecu-
1iar1y blessed IN the character of the
men who have presided as Circuit
Judge. Honora bic John B. Wins1ow,
now on the Supreme Bench of Wiscon-
sin, and jurist of whom Wisconsin
may we'll be proud; was succeeded by
Honorable Frank M. Fish, of Racine.
Judge Fish has presided as Judge of
this circuit for period of nearly ten
years and it is needless to say that he
has proven himself to be one of tn
very best Circuit Judges in Wisconsin.
The time has come when we must
cheese his successor.
The judicial campaign in this cir
lit has narrowed down to a contest
between Attorney John B. Simmons
aud County Judge Be1den. of Racine.
Beth have their friends and both are
werthy gentlemen. No doubt either
would make good Judge OF the Cir
cult Court. Almost from the beginning
of his career as attorney at law Judge
Beiden has filed the position OF
County Judge in Racine county.
That he has retained the position
so long seems to be evidence that
he has served well. Attorney
Simmons has never served as Judge
ia any capacity, but he has had
long and varied experience in practice
in Wisconsin and other states, and is
recognized as one of the leading at
torneys of the state. By virtue of his
wider experience we think Mr.. Sim
mems better fitted for the place made
vacant by the retirement of Judge
Fish than Mr.. Be1den. Nothing could
be of more service to Judge upon the
circuit bench than the element of judi
cial training and the knowledge gained
by years"of experience as a practi-
toner.
He is fine lawyer, with practical
experience at the bar of twenty-seven
years. For that period of time he has
yeen an active practitioner in this cir
cult and has tried large number OF
cases, both at the Circuit Court and IN
the Supreme Court and has been very
successful. He is man of unlm-
peachable integrity and has the full
confidence of ali who know him. he
-
great trust, notably, as one Of the
trustees of the Baker estate in Racine,
which is a very responsible position
owing to the large amount of money
and property in the hands of the trus-
tees. Mr.. Simmons is gentleman OF
exemplary habits and will bring to the
performance of the duties of this Of
fee great native ability and the expe-
rience of twenty-seven years of active
practice OF the law. In our opinion he
is in every way admirably fitted for
this place. He is man of great dig
nifty of character and has keen APP
probation of the honor and response
D1lI1SS Ol. II11S OulNO dhO "AAA 49, ~
mean either himself or the Office by
making a personal house to house can
vass to ask for the franchises of the
people. In this position we feel that
he is absolutely sound. All offices
that relate to the judiciary should be
free from anything that savors of poll
tics and political workings. The
election of Circuit Judge, or in fact
any other Judge, should be the result
of the calm, careful thought of the
electors. The Importance of having
such a man as Mr.. Simmons on the
Circuit Bench will be appreciated when
it is considered that not one case in
cried before the Circuit Court
is carried to the court of last resort.
The great body of cases and the great
and ruling legal principles are settled
in the Circuit Court. Under our State
Constitution the Circuit Court is the
foundation stone of the liberties of the
people. We, therefore. believe thGt
every voter in the First Judicial Cir
cult, regardless of politics, should cast
his ballot for John B. Simmons for
Circuit Judge at the coming Judicial
election.