The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-02-09
Election of
Judges and PoStmaSterS.

1He JOINT resolution, proposing an
amendment to the constitution of the /
United States, recently introduced into |
the national house of representatives
by Congressman Lamar, providing for |
the popular election of United States !
judges and postmasters, merits seri- !
Gus consideration by the national law |
making bodies. 1t if passes by two |
thirds vote in each house, it is neces- F!
sary that it be ratified by three-fourths
of the legislatures of the states before
it becomes effective as a part of the
United States constitution.
Briefly, Mr. Lamar's proposition is
to divide the United States into nine
judicial districts, from each of which
shall be elected one justice of the
| United States supreme court, who
shall serve for eight years. Also that
| judges of the inferior courts of the
United States-district and circuit
judges-shall be elected by a direct
vote of the people of the respective
districts and circuits they serve.
| The provision relating to postmas-
tiers is that the territory which is
served by post Office shall constitute
a post-master's district, and that he
shall be chosen at the same time as
the judges, and serve for four years.
United States judges are now ap-
pointed by the president and serve
for life. Mr.. Lamar proposes that
they be elected by the people and
serve for a limited term-eight years.
The present federal judicial system
has been productive of much COM
plant for a long time, and it has been
contended with great force that these
Judges feel no sense of accountability
for their actions under the life tenure
lplan-
The trainers of the federal constitution
provided the remedy of impeachment
by the house, and trial by the senate,
as the method by which an unworthy
Judge could be ousted from Office.
This is a highly theoretical remedy,
and when invoked has proved difficult
and tedious. Out of the whole num-
Der OF Impeachment trials which the
senate has held, only one conviction
has resulted, that of Judge Pickering
in the early years of the last century.
! Judges are human, and it is saying
too much for human nature to contend
that more have not deserved a SINH
lar fate. 1t is contended by many
leading writer's Of to-day that the pres
federal judicial system is the last re-
sort of corporations TO defy the peO-
pies will as expressed in their legfs-
lative enactments, and the income tax
decision is still fresh in the public
mind.
Again it is impossible under OUR sys-
TEN of party government to invoke a
lpaTtizan defense to an Impeachment
proceeding. At least there is no
safer or more effective way of dispos-
=, ing Of an unworthy public officer than
by an appeal direct to the electorate.
This amendment would take from
the president the power to pass on
the qualifications of an applicant for
; Judge and vest it again in the people,
the seat of all political power under
our system of government. In this
day OF splendid railway facilities,
. newspapers, the rural free delivery of
mail, and other civiiizing agencies
/, the public possesses a remarkable
amount of information as to the
:, capacity of candidates for public
office
Postmasters at present are appoint
cd by the president and the post Office
department. and serve for four years
Under the present system an incom-
: ipetent official can be foisted upon a
community. or the most unpopular
man living in town may be appoint
. ed postmaster and the people are com
PEELED to put up with him. They ah
soIutely have no choice in the matter
= and il Is an extremely difficult under
: taking to prevent the confirmation oil
: a judge or postmaster by the United
. States senate. If an appointee's char
\ acter or competency can not be sue
: cessfully attacked before the senate
committee, his undesirability by hi:
. patrons and his unpopularity in {
: community are almost idle objections
. to confirmation
% This system is wrong and ought tt
=, be corrected. The people Mould be
\ given the privilege of electing the Off
= Gals who are to serve them, and will
a whom they have to come in daily con
;, tact, such as judges and postmasters
There can be no question of their ca
:, pacity to elect these officers. The!
). are entrusted with the power of elect
:, ing officers with greater responsible
:, tiles than postmasters and judges, ant
- there is no reason why these shoulC
be exempted The resolution of Con
gresham Lamar should, and doubtless
will, receive the thoughtful considera
~ ton of the national law makers il
i session at Washington.
Now the Tribune and News of Tam
ma arc practically owned nv fhe sam,