The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-23
.ENCERUD's REASONS
FOR Opposing KNAu /:
Says Politicians Placed James.
town Candidate on the Ticket
Why He Defers Resignation.
Special to The Journal.

Fargo, N. D., Sept. 22.-Justice Enge-
rud Of the supreme court has made a
statement Of his reasons for not sit
ting with the court at the September
term at Grand Forks. Judge Engerud 9
says: -.
"a certain element of the press is
apparently seeking to create the inn
preston that my opposition to the cleo
ton of John Knauf to the supreme
court is due to personal dislike Of the I
man. / think I owe it to myself, as
well as to the citizens of the state, to
state my position publicly. @GI@
IL have no reason to entertain any
Ill feeling towards Judge Knauf. Nei-
Their have [ occasion to question his per-
sonal character. 49,, : 800
s'My opposition to the election Of
John Knauf to the position to which
he aspires is based on the fact that
know, from personal observation, that
he is lacking in qualifications essential
to the proper discharge Of the duties
Of justice Of the supreme court.
A ''Machine'' Nomination
"My second objection to him is based
on the fact that his nomination was
secured by political deal in which the :
all-important question as TO his quali6- !
cations for the place was not given the
slightest consideration. 7 do not be-
heve that the people of this state will
tolerate this attempt to convert the SUI
preme court of this state into a stock
in trade for political purposes.
"My regard for the office Of judge
Of the supreme court and it's important
duties is such that I cannot believe
so vitality interested, are willing to per-
NIT that office to be dealt with as pos
litical plumber, to be given away as. d
reward for political service.
Will Not Sit With Knauf.
eff the election shall prove that L
am mistaken in this belief, I do not
desire to continue as a member Of the
supreme court, when reorganized on
such basis. Had believed that It
was the wish Of the people to permit
their supreme court to be treated in
this manner, I would have rendered my
resignation when Mr.. Knauf was app
pointed But inasmuch as I have an
abiding faith that such is not the viii,
Of the voters, it would be improper for
me to resign before the election shall
have disclosed the attitude Of the vot-
ers. .
"Under these circumstances,
deemed it my duty to the people and to
the bar Of the state to withhold my
resignation until the electors shall have
expressed their wishes as to the future
of the supreme court. Ny course will
be governed by their decision.
Inasmuch as the election will neces-
sarily, bring about a change in the per-
sonnet of the supreme court, it was not
only my opinion, but the express wish
of most of the attorneys, having cases
on the calendar Of the present term,
that the argument Of the cases should
to decde the cas- cases have Been WnI
Very few Of the cases could be decided
before election. The work Of the court
is now SO well in hand and there are
SC few cases on the present calendar
that there will be no difficulty in dis
posing of all before the March, 1907,
term. Delaying the submission of the
cases until after election will avoid
the necessity for re-argument and the
consequent expense and inconvenience
to suitors.''