The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-04-16
The JUDICIARY AND THE GOVERNOR.
A !COrrespO ndent Regrets That Governor
Smith Did Not Appoint at Least
One Republican.

!COrrespo ndent Regrets That Governor
Smith Did Not Appoint at Least
One Republican.
To the Editor of The Republican.
1t has as rule been a custom in
our State to eliminate as far possible
all politics from our judiciary. This
has largely been brought about by
electing our judges to long term of
office. Both parties have endeavored
to select good, competent men to fill
those important places, and they have
studiously avoided making political
canvasses, which has done much to-
ward fostering in the minds of the
public & at high regard and esteem
for our judiciary.
The recent appointment of Judges
Williams and Witzenbacher by the
Governor of the State to fill the
vacancies caused by the deaths of
Judges Sloan and Stake caused con-
siderable surprise. 1t was looked
upon as a certainty that he would ap-
point at least one Judge from the Re-
publican party to one of the vacan-
cies, thereby giving one minority
member on the bench. But he in his
great wisdom saw fit to decree it
OthCi " ioCs L llC w llOl1 llC
appointed are men of high moral
character, of good standing in their
communities and men well versed in
law, who are fully competent to ad-
minister the same and who have
gained the respect of all with whom
they have come in contact. The Gov
ernor, in his public addresses, has adj
vOcated politics on that high plane
Iii oh g, - l,o L,
fails when the time arrives to carry
out those high principles which he so
eloquently ADVOCATES on the platform.
We would respectfully ask him what
he did to eliminate politics from the
Fourth Judicial Circuit? If he is con-
sistent in those doctrines which he
propounds, why did he not appoint
one Republican at least to one of the
vacancies? Were there no Republi-
cans who could be induced to accept
an appointment? If such was the
case then of course there was only
one way left open-the one which he
pursued.
The appointment of Williams and
WitZenbacher as judges insures their
nomination by the Democratic party
in their judicial convention. The
Republicans of Washington, Allegany
and Garrett Will in the course of a
few months be called upon to meet in
convention and select their candi-
dates for the judgeships. Each county
has one or more candidates and it is
to be hoped that the gentlemen who
are to be chosen will be men of such
character that they can commend the
support of every good Republican in
the Fourth Judicial Circuit. There
is no reason why two Republicans
cannot be elected in November if the
proper men are nominated. While
the counties are strongly Republican
it will be wise for our delegates to
choose men of good character, tenn
perate and conservative-men well
versed in law, who can administer
the same to all persons without fear
or favor and who will be merciful as
well as just. For there is no tyranny
so cruel as judicial tyranny because
it can hide behind the great cloak of
of the law. And a vindictive judge
can punish without mercy the party
upon whom he seeks to wreck ven
geance.
So let us all unite under the banner
the banner of Republicanism choose
two good and true men as our stand
ard bearers and roll down the Poto-
mac majority three thousand strong.
A REPUBLICAN.
JohnSOn'S Dist No @ ADril 7