New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-28
P0IIT1clL ASSESSMENT or JUDGES.

/ POLITICAL ASSESSMENT or JUDGES
( AS the end Of the legislative session ap-
proaches. tie delay in the progress OF the bills
10 remedy the laws delay excites some al.-r'-
hension Tho situation is such that form u
I irpcratlvely needed As we have hitherto said,
Tie bin 10 create Supreme Court commissioners
as originally introduced should be modified IN
important particulars to avoid multiplication Of
the very evils which II is intended 10 eradicate.
In general. however. the plan to introduce the
principal features OF reforms I'm English pro
cedure which have there cured even worse de-
laws than We endure here. is a good one. and
should not be allowed 10 fail through apathy.
The bin 10 regulate political contributions Of
Judges and judicial candidates strikes at
notorious and fragrant abuse. 40 the Owl o.
which the Judges themselves testify Curiously
enough. less disposition 10 pass that than any OF
the other hills is observed. and public opinion
should arouse itself 10 take the courts out Of
politics and put an end to Tho practical sale OF
jUdCcShips.
The a~>e,~nout Of candidates has frequently
amounted to litrle less than the sale of Judge
ships Men it is said. have contributed 70 the
party nominating them rs much rs years
salary either in a lump sum or on th" install
ncnt plan. We have even known "a Judge nom-
mated for reelection bv both parties 10 pay
$1,000 Tor The campaign fund Of Tammany Hall
In some years lt is said that fund has received
as much as $4,000 from Judges and judicial
candidates 10 infuencc elections. IL happens
that Tammanv is generally the dominant
political party here. where judicial salaries are
highest and n ma iority 81 The Judges arc Demo
Gratis, these contributions are prodominantly r
Tsmmany asset though we do not doubt that
Republican organizations. when they have op-
portunty levy a tax on judicial salaries II
makes no difference who gets the money. the
system is q bad one
4 contribution Of limited amount toward the
actual cost Of work in his personal behalf. which
is rarely large may he proper from n candidate
But the notion that iudgeShip and its large
salary is "a political asset. which may 10 made
10 contribute 20 general party resources is "A
vicious ono which the law should discourage.
Even more important is ir 10 break down the
custom Of continued contributions 10y Judges
after they take office That implies q continued
activity in politics ly Judges and n mortgage on
them by their party No contribution by Judge
in year whom no himself Is not running should
Doe allowed. Chief Judge Parker believes that
hi@ Judicial position forhidE him even 10 make
known his views on great questions Of national
policy az n time when his party IS considering
his nomination Tor the Presidency II tina.
scrupulous view is right what can he said Of
judges who. not content 10 declare their princi-
pies 10 those having a legitimate interest in
them, actually concern themselves with party
organizations and I'll party campaign chests?
over half century ago Daniel Webster. then
Secretary of State addressed a letter to federal
officials fcrhidding them To make any coutribu
ton 10 campaign funds. That was long before
the rise Of Civil Service reform agitation
Webster held that it was not the business OF Of
nceholders 10 try 10 control those whom they
served Whether We are prepared 10 apply this
rule 10 all officers or not obviously those WIN
are set apart from politics 10 judge impartially
the causes Of their fellows should be forbidden
to make either themselves or their Offices and
emolumcnts instruments Of any political prope-
rqnda