Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-14
TO FORGET POLITICS.
Democrats Besolve to Attempt to
Divorce PoHtics and judiciary.
JUDICIAL CoBVRNION HELD TODAY
Senator j. J. Smith, of This City,
Named as One Of the Four Demo-
cratic Nominees for Judge in Second
Dlatrlet-other Candidates.

A'sSS ~ ooaSe Ill SeSoHu
Dlatrlct-other Candidates.
At the democratic judicial conven-
ton which was held at the court house
In this city today by the representa-
tives OF the democrats Of the second
judicial district of Iowa, four candi-
dates were nominated for the Office
OF Judge, but This was simply a second
airy formalfty as compared with the
decision OF the convention to prepare
a statement, through a committee con-
sisting of five of the Oldest attorneys
In the district, this statement to con-
tain the views of the members of the
convention with regard to divorcing
politics from the judiciary and MAX
ing the judgeship non-partisan office
In the second district. Senator J. ].
Smith of this city is one of the four
democratic candidates nominated for
Judge, the other three being A. G. Bal
leIltyne, Of Appanoose county, j. A.
Campbell Of Lucas county, and George
p Sours Of Davis county.
The attendance at the convention
was small, less than forty people be-
ing present when 10 R. Jaques, chair
man of the district judicial commit
tee, called the assemblage to order.
He named Robert F. Radcliffe, of Fair
field, as temporary chairman and w.
W. Rankin, of Ottumwa, acted as Sec
rotary. On motion of Captain w. H.
e. Jaques, of Ottumwa, the committee
Ion credentials was dispensed with and
the convention proceeded without pre-
iliminaries to the regular business for
which it was called.
After the temporary organization
had been made permanent, Hon. A. C.
Steck Of this city, moved to proceed
with the nomination of four candidates
for Judge. He stated, however, that
in his opinion the convention and it's
members were in favor of taking poll
tics out of the judiciary 81 believe"
he said, chat we will at any time
meet the opposition politically, with a
view to that end, and I will welcome
the time when these offices and those
which control matters relating to the
judiciary in county and municipal af-
fairs are non-partisan."
The convention Immediately pro-
ceeded to the nomination of candi-
dates for judge. Captain w. H. c.
Jaques started the ball rolling by plac-
ing in nomination the name of T. M.
Stuart, of Lucas county. However,
the nomination was withdrawn when
Mr. Stuart's son, G. w. Stuart, an
nounced that his father does not de-
sire the nomination.
The Nominees.
Captain Jaques then nominated
Senator ]. j. Smith of this city and
moved that the nomination be made
by reclamation. His motion was car
ried. A. G. Ballentyne. of Appanoose
county, was then named, and his NOM
ination was accomplished without op-
position. The same was true of ]. A.
Campbell of Lucas county. Captain
Jaques then nominated George P.
Sours. of Davis county, but Mr.. Sours
objected to being placed on the ticket,
naming in his stead John Scarborough
also Of Davis county. However, Mr..
Scarborough's nomination was not
seconded, and the convention made
Mr.. Sours' name the fourth on the list.
On motion of Captain Jaques the jul
dicial committee was empowered to
| fill any vacancies that may occur on
the ticket between the present time
and election.
The Central Committee.
The secretary read the roll of coun-
ties and the committeeman were nam
ed, as follows:
Appanoose-Frank S. Sharp, of Mo-
ravia.
| Davis-W. H. Taylor, of Bloomfield
| Jefferson. F. Ready, of Fairfield
| Lucas-C. w. Stuart, of Charlton.
| Monroe-D. w. Bales, of Abba.
Van Buren,
Wapello-H. L. Manion, of Ottum-
wa.
Would Have Divorce.
Walter Dewey, of Charlton, address,
ed the convention at this juncture, say
| ing: "I for one am most earnestly in
terested in this question of taking the
4 judiciary away from politics and MAX
1 ing it non partisan affair, and move
that committee of five-and I would
suggest Judge Steck and Captain ia
cues of Ottumwa, Judge Stubbs of
Fairfield, Senator T. B. Perry of AL
bia, and T. M. Stuart of Chariton-be
appointed by the convention to formu-
| late statement containing the views
of this gathering regarding the sepa-
ration of politics and the judiciary
L Ills lultSl uS uouS aL oolnS lllu6 anu
now is the best time of all. think
this course will prove the entering
wedge to the situation and hope that
my motion will find support"
Mr.. Dewey's motion was put and
carried unanimously, the committee
being appointed as he suggested. The
convention then adjourned.
! DEATH OF OLD RESIDENT.
John Shea Passes Away Last Night a,