The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-10-22
FIRST JUDICIAL

Editor Independent: Inc revolt Oh
the better class of the republican vot-
ers of the First judicial district against
rotten and corrupt political methods
fills the hearts of the hirelings and
time-servers of the old party with
confusion and dismay.
Present indications warrant the pre-
diction that the majority OF the cltl-
zens of our district will emphatically
resent the action of the republican ju-
dicial convention which recently met
IN this city and do so by electing two
men to occupy our judicial bench On
the Sd day of November who have not
stained their garments by wadlng
through the dirty pool of party poll
tics in attempting to secure nominal
ton for such an exalted office.
Evidently even the republicans are
getting tired of men who try to pry
themselves into Office with the crow
bars of political treachery and cor
rupt manipulation Of primaries and
conventions.
1t is a good and encouraging sign
of the times to find that this fight
against the republican judicial candl-
dates was inaugurated by stalWart
members of that party and not by the
fusion parties. 1t proves that the love
for clean and dignified Judiciary, has
more influence over the actions OF
many of our republican friends than
party prejudice We therefore see life
long republicans leading the fight
against Reavis and Babcock as a pro-
test against the corrupt management
OF their own judicial convention.
Despite these facts, however, we ind
that the few republican papers who
have enough supply Of gall to attempt
to defend the candidacy of these men,
are making desperate effort to con-
vince their readers that no objection is
being urged against them except from
democratic and populistic sources.
Nothing could possibly be more dis
honest and misleading; for the truth
ic> that the responsibility for the fur
ious attack that is being continually
made on these men on account OF their
unfitness rests on scores of the mem
bers of their own convention and on
hundreds of the best and most loyal
republicans of our district. Assertions
to the contrary by the subservlent
hireling press of the old party, serves
as direct insult to the intelligence
o. the public. Long before the Bea-
trice convention met it was fact we'll
known that the candidacy of young
Reavis was exceedingly distasteful to
the majority of the republican voters
of his own county But by the shrewd
manipulation of the primaries, how
ever, he skillfully managed to secure
bare majority of the delegates elect
ed to the county convention, thereby
gaining through them the power to
select his own delegates to the judicial
convention.
A few hours before that memorable
convention met, bargain was made
between Reavis and old man Babcock,
by virtue of which the former secured
his nomination despite the objections
urged publicly against him, by reason
Of his unfitness. To enable himself
tc carry out that dea, Mr.. Babcock had
tn throw aside some of his delegates
and replace them with more pliable
material.
Judge Babcock could have been cas-
lily nominated by reclamation unani-
mously. He had no earthly reason for
STOPPING down and humbly allowing
himself to be drawn into an alliance
with Reavis. But he refused to be
nc minated by reclamation with a
show of indienitv. having been tied
up too tight in the Reavis deal. The
Beatrice contingent of wire-pullers and
political sharpers had the feeble old
gentleman in their hands like lump
OF clay and they moulded and fixed
him to suit their own desires.
It is therefore no matter how I'M
deserving Mr.. Reavis may be-nor how
Objectionable his reputation may be to
the citizens of his home county; the