The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-19
vorE ron rHn BEST MEM.

| It h seriously Co be feared that che vot-
 CTS of Alabama are not taking as much
 interest as they. should in the matter of
 eleeting judges of the Supreme Court. No
 moro important duty ever devoived on the people than now confronts them. Too
 many people fail to appreciate the vital necessity of having this high tribunal. this court of last resort. composed of the very
 best material to be fepnd in the State. We need good judges everywhere, it is true, but in all the lower courts those who
 fan to get justice. or who think they have
 failed, have the right of appeal and the
 opportunity Is afforded them to have their cases adjudicated by the higher court Thus there Is always a way open for the correction Of injustice
 Our Supreme Court occupies q higher and much more important position. for in | it is stored the final verdict. and to it must the people look as the last hope in legal matters. And 1t is matter which affects all the people, and all the people should see and feel its importance. Any citizen of Alabama may at some period of his life find himself depending on the Supreme Court for protection to life. lib- erty or property, and may find in that body his last hope of justice. Many there are who will never have occasion to ifl- yoke the powers of this court but none can know when those powers may be needed. While the acts of all our other judicial tribunals may be reviewed and corrected the fiat of this one is final; hence the necessity of having men who are not only learned in the law but who are well groundei in the principles of jus- tice
 There are six Associate Justices whose seats are to be contested in the approach ing election. Chief Justice Mcclellan is not likely to have opposition and so will be voted for without contest, but there are a number of candidates for the other po- sitions and the important duty devolves on the people of Alabama of selecting six good men. The Advertiser has no slate to put up and no ticket to exploit. Its editors propose to do just what it coun- sells all other voters to do, and that is to vote for those whom they think best quail lied for the positions to be filled.
 This is one ofEice in which personal likes and dislilkes, favoritism and popularity should cut no figure at all. A voter should not support an unfit man merely because he likes him. nor should he vote against one who is well qualified unless he can give a better reason for his opposition than that he doesn't like the man. He interests of the State and for the honor and credit of Alabama's Judiciary to vote for his worst enemy if he finds that en- emy to be best fitted for the position of Associate Justice. That would be the part of patriotism. and of sincere de- sire to see the judicial system of our State raised above sordid politics or per- sonal feelings.
 In some of the States of the Union the Judges. especially those of the highest courts, are not elected by the people. Whether Alabama's plan Is the better one depends entirely on the use the voters make of the high privilege afforded them. In the list of candidates who win contest for this position there may be some who, are not qualified either by prac- tice or legal attalnments If there are such no mere personal feeling should Influence the voters to support them. It is. as we have said. the most important duty the people of Alabama are called on
 to perform and it should be their pride to perform 1t well. It was the great Web
 ster who declared that Justice. sir, is the
 great interest of man on earth" and that
 interest can only be thoroughly subserved
 by having our courts composed. Of good
 material
 Let the voters of Alabama take this to
 heart and let them resolve that however
 they may be controlled by personal feel
 ings in connection with all other oflces
 they will vote only for the best men to | form the Supreme Court of Alabama.