Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-05


thing is unqucstonably true of many
other places in Vermont.
Our st. Johnsbury correspondent makes
the announcement that the members or
the Caledonia county bar will unite in
asking for the appointment of Harry
Bodgett Of st. Johnsbury to succeed
Judge Stafford. 1t has been assumed In
some quarters that Alexander Dunnett
would be a candidate. but in recent
conversation he made ii plain that he
would not accept an appointment to the
bench, unless there should be vacancy
in the United States Court, when he
might be an aspirant. 1t is to be taken
for granted that there will also be other
candidates for the vacancy on our SUI
preme bench.
No one is in a position to predict at
this time what Governor McCulloughs
course will be, but it is reasonable to as
sumo that he will be guided to certain
extent at least by those considerations
which have hitherto prevailed in con
nccticn with the selection of the men,
bers of our supreme judicial tribunal
Some of us are inclined to rail at the
mountain line," but geographical con-
sideratioi.s are taken into account, else
whore as we'll as in Vermont, in con-
ncc,ion with the distribution of judicial
positions and other offices of the COM
monwcalth.
Inasmuch as our supreme court includes
sever judges it has been n mathematical,
or at least physical impossibility to
maintain an equal division of judicial
honors between the east side and the
west side, but the judges have been
distributed about the State in parV in ac
cordance with geographical considera-
tons with reference to the north and
south ends of the State as well as both
sides of the mountain, and it must be ad-
mittcd that in spite of this rule we
have had judges, who seem to have
measured up fairly well with the
judiciary of our neighboring States.
For "a number of years four of our
judges have resided on the east side and
three on the west side of the mountain
line. II Mr.. Powers of Morrsvllc should
be selected to fill the vacancy that will
result from the retirement of Judge STAFF
ford. for example, the position would he
credited to the west side by reason of the
although as a matter of miles, Morrisvlc
il much nearer the Connecticut river
| than Lake Champlain, and is next door
to Caledonia county.
If the choice should fall upon George
NJ Powers, people in general would I'M
qucstionably recognize the appointment
as fitting as well as deserved. Mr.. Pow
crs is well qualified by reason of natural
ard acquired ability, judicial tempera-
mcnt, mental equipoise standing at the
| bar and qualities as a man. to adorn
| a position on Nermont's supreme bench.
| At the same time it must be recognized
| that not only will the northeast part of
the State demand distinct representation
on the supreme bench, but that it also
has strong candidate in Mr. Blodgett.
who is recognized as an able lawyer and
n good citizen, and the possessor of
many judicial qualifications. If John
Young of Newport should enter the list
of asprants. ne would be regarded as
ii formidable candidate. but he has hther-
to declined judicial honors. 1t is also
intimated that w. W. Miles of Newpor,
may be a candidate. 1t is evident that
there will be no lack of good judge ma
tcrial with which to fill the vacancy.
The appointment of judges Of our SUI
prcme court is n duty in the discharge
of which our governors should exercise
the fullest liberty without regard &c
geographical considerations. PROVIDE
these stand in the way of the elevation
Of the best man to the supreme bencl
since this office does not alternate be
tween the two sides of the State ever!
two years as does the governorship.
The removal of Judge Stafford L
Washington will be IA distinct loss to GU
commonwealth, and while not one o
! his host of friends and admirers woul'
stand in the way Of his profcrmcnt, tn
wish will be general that he may not h.
permanently lost to us. At the same tim
We must all recognize that Judge Stat
ford possesses III prc-cminent dcgre
the stuff of which mon of national statur
are made, with his legal acumen an,
ability. his scholarly attachments ana hi
lovablc qualities as a man it could no
well be otherwise than that he shout
have a brilliant future in a wider spher
than his native State affords. With hi
years and qualifications and capacity 70
growth Judge Stafford is probably des
tined to gain "A high place in our fedora
courts, and all Vermonters will wis
him the success he deserves
AN ORIENTAL, ROMANCE