New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-09
coURT OF APPEALS NOMINATIONS,

The only state officers to be elected next No
Vember are two judges OF the Court of Appeals
TO succeed Judge Denis O'Brien, who retlres.
on account Of reaching the constitutional age
limit, and Judge Edward T Bartlett, whose
term expires. Judge O'Brien is a Democrat
Judge Bartlett Is a Republican. 1t is highly
desirable that this court should be kept free
from politics, with a fairly even representation
Of both parties on the bench. When last two
vacancies occurred, in 1904, The Tribune as it
takes pleasure in recalling. started the move
ment to nominate two judges then serving in
the Court Of Appeals by deslgnatiOn-a Demo
crat Of distinguished character and ability for
Chief Judge to succeed Alton B. Parker who
had resigned to accept the Democratic nOmina-
ton for the Presidency. and a Republican to
succeed the Republican Judge, CelOra E. Martin.
The example Of nOn-partisanship set by the
nomination OF Chief Judge Cullen and Judge
Werner has had happy results and should be
followed by both parties this year. Whether or
not the Democrats join in the movement, as
they reluctantly did in 1904, the Republican
party should certainly remain constant TO the
policy which it then adopted and place before
the people as its candidates Democrat aud a
Republican already serving in the Court Of APP
peRls.
There can, we think. be no question among
proper men TO be nominated Judge Edward 7.
Bartlett was elected to the Court OF Appeals
fourteen years ago by a tremendous majority
over Isaac H. Maynard. He is a man of high
ethical purpose. has filed the place with honor
and has steadily grown in usefulness. The state
should have the benefit Of his experience for
another term. The practice of retaining good
judges could in no case be more fttingly fol
lowed than In his. Equally obvious is the prOpri-
ETY. of naming Judge Willard Bartlett to succeed
Judge OBrien. willard Bartlett is now sitting
In the Court OF Appeals as an additional judge.
He is the only Democrat among the additional
judges. and as Chief Judge Cullen and Judge
Werner. who first sat in the Court Of Appeals
by similar designation. were when opportunity
offered, advanced to full membership. so should
he now be made the successor Of a retiring Dem
Ocrat He is well known and highly respected
in this city. having long served as a Justice OF
the Supreme Court and having been q member
Of the Appellate Division in the Second Depart
ment from its establishment until his transfer
by Governor Higgins to the Court Of Appeals.
At the conclusion in 1897 of his first term of
fourteen years In the Supreme Court he was
reelected, and early in that year The Tribune
suggested to the Republicans OF the "a District
the propriety Of making his election unanimous.
but the idea OF judicial non-partsanshp was
not tnen as Iuily developed with party managers
as the subsequent election showed it was with
the people. Willard Bartlett's long judicial
career fully entities him to the recognition OF
an uncOntested election to the Court of Appeals,
where he now serves 50 acceptably.
The Republicans have no need TO call a state
convention this year. The rank and file Of the
party will be well pleased to have the state
committee perform the sole duty which would
deYOlve on a convention By nominating to I'll
the two vacancies Judges Edward T. Bartlett
and Willard Bartlett The Democrats would
probably do the same. II they did not it would
be their own misfortune