The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-03
CLERkSH|Ps
FOR LIFE Is A
WILD DREAM

Clerkships for life Is The latest dream
OF the author OF a continuous ballot for
United States senator because, II Is stat
cd, there is no provision In the state law
for the termination on Jan. 81 of the
tenure OF office OF four district court
clerks.
OF course, II the voters neglect TO turn
assemblymen out OF office and assembly
men neglect to turn clerks and judges
and other off cials out everybody would
hold on for life. or otherwise. AS a mat
ter OF fact, the oversight which has led
to the publication OF the dream can cas-
lily be corrected. without loss TO the
state or depriving any clerk of life. lib
erty or the pursuit OF happiness.
The resolution To be presented In the
house inviting the senate to meet In
grand committee calls for the election OF
Judges in every district from the First
to the Twelfth. inclusive. but for clerks
In only eight OF the IL.
The omission of four districts Is due 10
the fact that the commission which
changed the laws TO conform to the con-
stitutional amendment abolishlng the
May session OF the legislature changed
| the time OF the beginning of the terms
OF district judges and clerks TO Feb. l.
AT that time there were no clerks In the
four districts mentioned. Instead Of max
ing the provision general for all district
specify the particular districts which
then had clerks.
The court and practice act, In revising
| the laws relating to the courts in 1905
followed this same wording, but In that
same year the election OF judges and
clerks took place. and bills were passed
creating the office OF clerk I'm the Second
Third, Fifth and Ninth districts. The act
did not fix the tenure OF office. overlook
ing the failure OF the court and practic1
act to make this provision.
or course an amendment to the cour
and practice act will be introduced earl,
In the session TO make the terms of tn
clerks in these four districts subject ;,
the general provision.
Aside from the district judgeships ant
cleskships the question of organizing
campaign for the offices OF county sher
IFS will undoubtedly come up for consid
GRAFTON.
While II is likely that the Democrat
may not enter the field I'm every distric
where there are n Judge and clerk I'm tn
district court to be elected, II In doubtfj
| IL they name a man 20 oppose the Re
: publican candidate for sheriff In each o
! the Ave counties.
The advisablity OF throwing the sur
port OF the Democrats TO Warden Wilco
! against Sheriff White will be consldere
. at the caucus Of Democratic members a
, The districts In which there may b
, lively contests over the election OF Judge
: and clerks are the Fifth. comprising iii
: entire county OF Bristol: the Eighth en
bracing the towns OF Johnston, Cranstoi
: Scituate and Foster. and the Eleventh
J which takes I'm the city OF Central Fall
J and tho towns OF Lincoln and Cumbel
; land.
In the Fifth district where the Dem
Gratis represent harrington and Ware
and divide Bristol with the Republican
there is movement on foot TO suppo
Arthur w. Joyce. the present clerk or n
n court for the judgeshp p against Judge o.
: rim L. Bosworth. who has strong backing
e In the event OF Mr.. Joyce being promo
I ed Judge Frank IT. Hammill of the pr,
e bate court and also president of the tow
$ council OF Bristol will probably go aft
: the clerkship.
In the Eleventh district Joseph f. Br
a chu, probate judge, is reported to be
A candidate against Judge Ambrose Ch
A duet In Cranston Clerk Willis
) Knowles has the backing OF those o
posed 20 Judge Henry A. Palmer a
a Capotosto Is an aspirant for tho cler
. ship.