The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-20
{: Notes by the WaySide.
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There are very few people who remem- Der that the late Constitutional Conven- ton provid d for the election of one-third of the members of the Supreme Court every two years. The terms of the mem- hers were fixed at six years, as before, but two of them are to be elected every two years. All the members of the Court are to be elected in 1904, as their terms will expire in that year. The new Con- stitution provides, Section 156. that "the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court shall be chosen at an election to be held at the time and places fixed by law for the election of members of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States, until the Legislature shall by law change the time of holding such elections. The terms of the office of the Chief Justice. who shall be elected in the year 1904, shall be as provided in the last preceding section (six years). The successors of two of the Associate Justices elected in the year 1904 shall be elected in the year 1906, and the successors of the other two Associate Justices elected in the year 1904 shall be lected In the year 1908 The Associate Justices of said court elected in the year 1904 shall draw or cast lots among them selves to determine which of them shall hold office for the terms ending respec- lively in the years 1906 and 1908, and until their res pective successors are elected or appointed and qualified. The result of such determination shall be certified to the Governor, by such Associate Justices, or a majority of them, prior to the first day of January, 1905, and such certificate shall be entered upon the minutes of the court. In the event of the failure of said Associate Justices to make and certify such determination. the Governor shall designate the terms for which they shall resp eli ely hold office. as above provided and shall issue his proclamation accord ingly. In the event of an increase or re- duction by law of the number of Associ- ate Justices of the Supreme Court, the Legislature shall, as nearly as may be. provide for the election each second year. of one-third of the members of said court"
 This provision of the Constitution has not been generally remembered. There is a sharp rivalry and ambition among lawyers to fill these most honorable posi-. tions. and there will be a number of can didates for them In 1901. There are sev- eral Circuit Judges who are already said to be after promotion. and there will, doubtless, be others to enter.
 These positions are considered very de- sirable by the members of the legal pro-
  ary. but mainly because of their high and exalted character. Two years from now there will be a most Interesting scramble for these places and. as said before there will be many cand dates. for some of them are already setting their wires and build- ing their fences to secure the much coveted prizes.
 The positions of Chancellors and Cir cult Judges are also to be filled in 1904. and they will also be much sought after. The salary Is much more than most law yers make at the practice and with the honor are a great help to the ordinary lawyer. The salary may have been some what abridged by the provision prohibit ing the judicial offices from accepting ee passes. but the question is being ag!tated to ask the next Legislature to increase the pay in proportion and that bills to that end will be introduced seems cer- tain.
 The work of reg g'stration of voters under tSe new Constitution is going on in
 eral counties and it must be finished by the first of August. It must b. borne In mind by those who have not paid their poll tax for 1901 that they must register to have the right to vote in future. They can pay up their back poll tax dues, but if they are not on the permanent regis traton list that is to be made up by Jan uary. l9H, they will have to comply with many other requirements than those who register this year. Take the pains. then. to get on the list and pay your poll tax hereafter and put yourself in position to