New-York tribune., 1906-10-22
THE ISSUE OF CLEAN BENCH.

THE ISSUE OF CLEAN BENCH.
Public interest in the state campaign should
not be allowed to divert interest from the issue
presented in this county by the Murphy Hearst
combination to get control Of the judiciary. The
man pronounced by Hearst to be "the worst
criminal of them all" and the man pronounced
by Murphy TO be the tnsprer of Czogosz TO
the murder Of Mckinley have struck hands to-
gether to prostitute the administration OF JUS
tice. After pretending not to be so bound and
threatening TO put up a rival judicial ticket.
Hearst at the end Is found to be in practical
alliance with Murphy in the support Of men for
judicial positions some of whom have an ex-
ceedingly poor reputation
Mitchell L. Erlanger is a former Tammany
Sheriff Of the usual type, who once made AM
davit that Hearst avoided service IN legal
action so that it was necessary to drag his law
less corporation into court by publication
Brady, Haffen's man from The Bronx, has
been mixed up In transactions of politicians
in Bronx real estate. Platzek is corporation
lawyer Of the sort that Hearst so insincerely de-
nounces. Hendrick has been counsel for the
Murphy Gaffney concern. but now explains that
he is only counsel to its counsel. Ford is q pro-
fessionaI politician who is being rewarded for
his complacency toward Hearst's betrayal Of
the Independence League and his graceful dec
1ination of its nomination for Attorney General
to promote the Hearst Murphy deal Dayton is
a man who was ready to denounce Croker at
one minute as corrupt boss and, quite In
the Hearst fashion. TO kiss his hand the next
to get judicial nomination. Guy has long been
known as Tammany politician, and would be
valuable judge for Murphy but poor judge
for the people. Golf is a criminal judge Of
good intentions but grave infrmities Of temper,
who has been reversed and rebuked with unen-
visble frequency by the higher courts. Seabury
is a petty judge whom no one would have
thought Of promoting but for his activity in pol
itics while on the bench which demands the
recognition Of those whom he serves
These are the candidates for the Supreme
Court put forward by Murphy and Hearst for
the defeat of the independent movement TO Sc
cure judges of high character and distinguished
ability which has been Endorsed by the Repub-
leans The universal complaint at the laws
delays has prompted the Legislature to make
large increase in the number of judges. 1t is a
time of crisis In the administration of justice.
Unless those places are TO be filled by indie
pendent and able men our judicial machinery
will practically break down. The lawyers of
the city have picked out men of unimpeachable
honor, who have the undoubted professional
capacity to discharge their duties. Those men
are not put forward by any party They are
not the favOrites Of any interest. They owe
allegiance TO no boss. Their regulations are
based solely on their achievements at the bar.
On the other hand. the Murphy Hearst candi-
dates are for the most part known for every
thing but distinguished achievements at the
bar. They are nominated as personal rewards
for past services or in the expectation that they
will render personal services In the future.
There can be no doubt on the part of any citi-
zen who objects to the prostitution Of the bench
to the service Of politicians about how he should
vote, The issue made by these nominations of
Hearst and Murphy and their refusal of a re-
nomination to City Judge Cowing, and their put
ting forward Of the discredited Tenement House
Commissioner and professional Tammany office
holder, Grain, for the place, ought to arouse
the moral sense of this community as did Gro
ker's punishment Of Judge Daily for refusing
to surrender to him judicial patronage, and
Hills reward of Judge Maynard for stealing
the State Senate