Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-25
RUSSELL FRIENDS
SAY He SHOULD
NOT RESIGN
DECLARE HE HAS AS MUCH RIGHT
TO HOLD ON TO HIS PLACE AS
JUDGE JOHNS. CAN
DLER HAS.

An enthusiastic meeting of the Athens
bar was held Saturday afternoon at Ath-
ems in the .nteres, of the candidacy of
Judge Richard b. Russell for tie posi-
ton of associate justice o. the supreme
court of Georgia. and during the meetings
the question of Judge RusseI s name ap-
pearing twice on the official ballot for the
general election was discussed.
1t was the unanimous opinion CT the
meeting that no valid reason existed for
Judge Russell dec.-ning the nomination
for judge of the superior court of the
western circuit while making the race
for the supreme judgship, and that he
be urged not to do so. A prominent citi-
zen of Athens who was here today
said by unanimous vote the sense of the
meeting was declared as follows:
THAT no strong reason could be adj
vanced for Judge Russell's declining the
nomination as judge of the western cir
cult than could .e urged against John S.
Gambler remainiI in his present posi-
ton as Judge OF the Stone Mountain cir
cult pending the election. The action OF
the democratic party in nominating Judge
Russell for ano.Ler term makes him as
certainly me occupant of that position
as If the general election had already Oc-
Cured. The general election viii amount
to nothing more than a ratification of the
action of the party. Therefore, the only
difference between these two candidates
is that one has ar unexpired term of two
years and our months whl.e the other
has a term Of four years and four months
ahead OF his. With this single exception
there is no diHerence in the positions of
these two candidates. If Judge Gambler
continues 20 hold his office while he
makes his race for associate justice Of
the supreme court, there Is no reason
why Judge us1-ll should not with ali
propriety hoIu his position while making
his race for tie sane office.
Should Judge Russell decline the NOM
nation for judge of the superior court
of the western circuit, II would be the
duty of the state Democratic Executive
committee 10 name another nominee for
that position, under the authority of the
state convention given to that body to
fill any vacancy that might occur on the
ticket already nominated tbs would
bring about a contest before that body
that should be avoided. The people of
the western circuit strenuously object to
a judge being placed upon the bench
without the opportunity being given them
to pass upon mis- merits and a nomination
by the executive committee would bring
about such a state Of affairs.
THE fact that Judge Russell's name
appears twice on the ticket does not
mean that he could hold both Offices If
elected to both, or would undertake to do
SO.
1.-THE people OF the western circuit are
the ones most deeply interested in the
matter of the superior court of judg
ship. They do not wish Judge Russell to
resign and thus take from them the
chance to pass upon the claims and quail
idcstions of the Judge who presldes over
their courts. The people OF the whole
state are the tribunal before whom the
supreme court judgship naturally is car
ried for settlement If they wish Judge
Russell they should be given the oppor-
tunity to say so at the polls"