The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-02-07
srr.EcrrNa SUPREME JUDGES


The. Advertiser prints with great pleas
ure the following patriotic and sensible
utterances from it's esteemed contempt
rary The Talladega Mountain Home. The
subject discussed is one that should be
seriously considered by every thoughtful
person. There is not an interest in Ala
bama, which the Supreme Court of the
state will not sooner or later touch, and
interest being so widespread all other
should be discarded when, it comes to-
choosing the men TO compose our highest
court. The Home says;
In the approaching primary of the DEM
oeratic party, in which nominations are
to be made for practically most of Ala
bama's public officials, ranging from the
seven members composing our court of
last resort down to and including consta-
bles for each precinct especial considera-
ton should be given by the voters to the
selection of candidates for positions on
the bench of the Supreme Court
This Court Is the very keystone in the
arch of our constitutional government and
bifraFy or unconstitutional acts of the
executive or legislative branches of gov
eminent are subject to its control or veto,
but from its decisions on and interpreta-
practically no appeal save that OF revolG-
ton. In its hands, as in no others. rest
the life. liberty and property Of the citi-
zen. Beng composed OF men having all
the limitations OF humanity, yet when the
high and all-important functions commit
ted to 1t are considered, too much cannot
be given to the selection of the proper
men to I'LL it's bench OF honor. dignity anC
exalted powers. There should be no room
there for the time-serving politician. thu
wiry ademagogue, the chaFlatdn in a no
BILE profession, the corrupt or corruptibl
man. Let them be God-fearlng men. re
garding and striving after Righteousness
They should be men of large and accu
rate general information SINCE they hay
TO dear with man and all his works.
Let them be men not only fully equppe
with knowledge of the law but devote
10 the maintenance OF the high ethics q
their profession. Let them also be me
1 of hxedness of purpose, the courage to d
right, and when sure they are rlgnt stan
These, it is true. are exceedingly hig
qualities, but we are discussing the fillin
~ the most exalted positions, and but 70
the exceeding Importance of the subjer
to all OF the people of a great state.
might well be passed with casual men
tion. The question then arises. how ar
we voters. especially we laymen, to knoV
whom to select possessing these Qualifica
lions? There is the rub! 1t well behoove
each and every one of us to seek and oh
tain all the information possible lest W
mistake. Our friends of the legal pro
fessIon, from whose ranks these selection
will have to be made, with their persona
knowledge of the candidates or from thei
acquaintance with records made at bar o
on bench will no doubt he the better abb
10 solve the matter. With us Iaymen
seems thar the safer course to pursu
would be to consult our legal friends i
whose Judgment we have confidence. The
no doubt viii be pleased to assist us. an
BARRING an accident-the advice receive
win put US on the right road
LET us by all means endeavor to plac
the ermine on shoulders that will dignif
Il In the wearing.