Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-03-03
THEY FAILED TO NOMINATE.
After Two Days Session the Re.
publican Judicial Convention
Adjourned to Think
il Over.
1870 BALLOTS AND NO CHOICE.
Convention Adjourned at 3 O'clock
Thursday and VIII Convene
Again at 2 O'clock Mon
day Afternoon.


Who ever heard of small poX scare
driving away a convention-and espe-
cially a political convention. But that
is the condition which confronted the
twenty ninth Republican Judicial con-
vention, which, in pursuance to call of
the Republican judicial committee of
the Clinton and Gratiot circuit, met at
the court house in Ithaca at O'Clock
D. m Tuesday and on motion was adj
journed to meet in the city hall in Alma
at o'clock that afternoon.
1t. was evident that the wise heads
predicted a repetition of the convention
of 1899, and visions of a quarantine ex-
tending over the prescribed eleven days
were not pleasant.
Both delegations arrived here on time,
and the meeting was called 10 order by
w. II. Brunson, of st. Johns, who read
the official call.
L. G. Bates, of Elsie, was then made
temporary chairman and A. II. Lowrey,
of St Louis temporary secretary. +.
J. Monet, of St Johns, and JAS G.
Kress, of Alma, were appointed on the
crcdential committee; b. V. Soule, of
Ovid, and H. j. Crawford, of Ithaca, on
permanent organization and order of
business, and j n. Mccall, of Ithaca,
and J w Fitzgerald, Of 81. Johns, on
resolutions. After a recess of fifteen
minutes the committees announced that
their reports were ready and they We're
heard
Those entitled 70 seats in the conven-
tion were, for Gratiot: J. y. Mccall, J.
c. Kress, w. w Williams, II. Il. Mum
son. Burton |. Gee, Ebin Wilson, Frank
Frear. n G.. Fox, John Smith, \. H..
Lowrey. Chas. Merrill and II. j. Craw-
ford. The Clinton delegation consisted
of J. w Fitzgerald. b. Y. Soulc. w. w.
Dennis, J. A. Watson. l.. c. Bates, T..
j. Monet d. J.. Eagle, w. II. Field,
Alonzo Webster. Thos B Knight, Fred
Swain and Chas. b. Giffels.
l.. G.. Bates and A II. Lowrey were
made permanent chairman and sccre-
tary. and ChaS b. Gitfels and J. c..
Krcss tellers. This completed the pre-
liminaries and the deck was cleared
ready for action
Nominations were next in order and
as chairman of the GratiOt delegation,
j. n Mccall made the nominating
speech Ii was pronounced 10y all 10 bc
the banner speech of the convention, and
again proved Bro. Mccall TO be an or
ator of no mean ability I'm part hc said ::
we meet today TO discharge one of
the most important duties which can
devolve upon the people of republic.
The founders of this republic wisely sep
arated a far a. practical the three prin-
cipal functions of the government. and
decreed that the legislative, executive
and judicial branches should not meet
in the same individual. To this wise
decision We are in no small degree in
debted for the wonderful development
of our free institutions.
"Of these three branches, the Judicial
has ALWAYS been considered the most
sacred If ignorance and incompetence
shall inadvertently be entrusted with
the framing of the laws If bribery and
corruption shall invade the legislative
chamber, If political expediency shall en-
trust to weaklings and knaves the execu-
tion Of the laws, our liberties will indeed
be threatened. But SO long az between
vicious laws on one side and vicious eX-
ecutive on the other stands a capable,
honest and just judiciary, the greatest
bulwark of our liberties remain.
THE Shortcomings of Legislators and
executive officers are sometimes par
doned, but from the time of the Great
Bacon down through the centuries, the
Judge who soils his judicial ermine is a
political and social outcast. With al
most the equal pride which Michigan
takes in her supreme bench, she reads
the long list of circuit judges who have
for nearly thrce-quarters Of century
dealt ont even handed justice between
man and man.
Repeated campaigns have demon
strated that a large majority OF the
people of the district believe in the prin-
ciples of the Republican party. Hence,
gentlemen, il seems 20 me that Repub-
lican should be elected. Each county
convenes here today with an equal rep
resentation, and either could again pre-
vent a nomination and leave the office
in the undisputed possession of our po-
litical opponents But / believe that
we have come here TO nominate a
Republican candidate and that on the
third of April that candidate will be
triumphantly elected judge Of the
twenty judicial circuit.
II need scarcely tell you that Gratiot
county has candidate to present. She
has had one for more than six years,
and she comes here more united, more
enthusiastic, and more confident Of the
ability and fitness of her candidate than
ever before"
Mr.. Mccall spoke at length Of the
ability and special fitness Of Gratiot's s
candidate. stating that he was noted for
. his fairness. his quickness Of decision,
3 unceasing activity, push and energy;