New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-04
STANn BY GOOD JUDGES:

1t is gratifying to learn that meeting OF the
Bar Association of this city is to he held to-
night to take action respecting the renomlnatlon
of Supreme Court Justices Gildersieeve and III
graham There have been rumors that ram
many intended to set aside these eNceIIent
Judges for Tammany reasons: and II is well that
the voices of influential citizens who are guided
by higher considerations should be heard III time.
A single excuse has been advanced publicly FOR
this proposal to refuse denominations to these
iudgps-that because of their age they will not
be able TO complete another full term OF four-
teen years Whatever weight might be assigned
TO such reason in certain instances, it has COM
paratlvely little force in its application to Jus
tice Gilderseeve and practically none at all IN
the case of Justice Ingraham.
Justice Gilderseeve is siXty-five years DID,
hence If reelected, be may serve another hve
years within the constitutional limitation His
long experience on the bench and his deVo-
ton TO the duties of his office will make his
judicial services of greater value to the com
munity than those of newly elected judge are
likely to be during that period. II cannot rea-
sonably be said that the added expense of an
other judicial election at the end of five years
weighs sufficiently against these arguments TO
justify the substitution of young and inexperi-
enced man for this Judge. who has done well
his part and who is now in the full maturity of
his ripened powers.
These considerations apply with still greater
cogency to the case of Justice Ingraham. His
age is fifty-eight The twelve years that be
would still have TO serve, if reelected comprise
nearly the full term of fourteen years. The argu-
ment of age therefore, cannot be applied seri-
ousy or sincerely TO him. Moreover he has
proved himself one of the abIest and most eff
Cient Judges of the Supreme Court A man of
uncommon force of character and possessing
strong love for the study of the law and for his
duties, he has won wide reputation among
lawyers for the high standard of his judicial
work. He has been a member of the Appellate
Division Of the Supreme Court since that tribu-
the standing it holds among appeal courts of
recognized excellence To refuse reelection to
judge of that character would be a distinct
detriment to public interests.
The principle of re-eleCting good judges, ire
spective of party lines affiliations has in
cent years become so well established in the
public conscience that even Tammany has rarely
dared TO override it. and then generally with
serious injury at the polls. Its leaders will not
venture to defy that sentiment this year if 1t
is expressed promptly and emphatically by
those TO whom the public has right 10 turn for
such an utterance. It has been intfmated that
the real cause of the opposition to Justice Ingra-
ham in Tammany was his independence as a
judge Of all partisan or political influences. II
that is true it affords the greater reason why
the action to be taken by the Bar Association
at its meeting tonight should be of so emphatic
character a TO make clear to all that no parti-
san hands are to be laid upon the judiciary. and
that the people. regardless of party ties. will
assert their right TO continue in office faithful
able and impartial judges