The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-06-04
JUDGE sJPALplNa.

JUDGE sPALDIN0.
When B. r. Spaldng was rendered the appoint
ment as associate justice Of the supreme court by
Governor Burke little less than two years ago the
offer was made in recognition Of his character as
citizen and his qualities as lawyer, and it was
also made with the understanding that II, when
the time came to fill the Office by election there
was a desire that he should be candidate for the
full term Judge spaldng should be candidate at
the election this year. 1t well understood both
by the governor and by the large number Of repre-
sentative citizens who united in recommending the
appointment Of Judge Spaldng, that It was not for
the best interests of the state to appoint man to
that position who would not be willing to serve, If
called upon for at least the full term Of six years,
as the work OF the supreme bench Is Of such a
character that brief service and frequent changes
are not at all to be desired
The appointment made with this under
standing. Judge Spading has served for year and
half, and through petitions signed by very large
number OF the members of the state bar he has
been assured Of the satisfaction which his work
has given and has been urged again to be a candi
date This being agreed formal petitions placing
him in nomination were circulated, and these have
just the of some 5000 citizens Of the state
among them being 24O praccing attorneys These
all sections the state and the requests
to the judge to be candidate came from both
political parties
While the political atmosphere in this state has
at times been highly charged, there has been we'll
defined sentiment in favor Of keeping judicial offices
as much out of the political scramble as possible
and while this sentiment has not Invariably governed
It has done often, and it has always been strong
influence. Partisan contests for places on the
supreme bench have been exceedingly and gratify-
lngly rare, and when the supreme judges seeking
re-elecC0n nave been men of conspicuously high
character and ability the have not been subjected
to partisan opposition. Following the course which
has prevailed in past years, the Democratic party
has filed no petition nominating candidate for the
supreme bench this year, being satisfied with the
record which Judge spalding has made and desiring
MS reelection Sentiment among the leaders of that
party appears to be unanimously in favor of course
The work OF the supreme bench is Of the most
exacting nature. Little of this work comes to the
attention Of the public The people at large if their
attention is directed to the at ALL may see the
, judges in session during term of court and may
read few decisions which they hand down Of the
arduous abors and the endless research involved in
the consideration of these cases, Of the side field
which must be covered thoroughly and infinitely in
order that nothing of value may be overlooked and
that the administration of our laws may not be
thrown into chaos the public can know little or
nothing. But the work is there, and it must be
performed ana IL Is OF the highest Importance that
the experience gained in the service Of year or two
should not be thrown away, and the work turned
over to novices who must in turn begin at the
beginning.
Judge Spalding has more than made good He
started in well fitted for the place. and he is of
necessity better fitted for the work now than he
was a year or two ago. He has devoted himself to
the work OF his Office and he has not played politics
Actively engaged in political work before his
appointment, he has since that time, with a fine
sense OF the fitness of things and an appreciation
OF the demands Of his position, turned over to others
as rapidly as possible the political responsibilities
which formerly were his and though he is as firm in
his convictions and as high in his ideals now as
ever ne is doing work for party and no faction,
and Is not even soliciting votes forhmself
Judge Spaldng is a Republican, and he is a can
dldate Tor the nomination Of his party. If that
nomination comes to him-the Independent con-
slders anything else out of the question: will be
because OF the free and voluntary expression of their
Will by the voters Of is party He is not on the
stump, and he has no campaign bureau at work, as
the character of his position dabars him from
activities which would he proper in candidates for
other positions. And because he cannot do cam
paign work for himself it is all the more incumbent
on the people to see that he receives on Primary
election day the splendid endorsement which he has
so well merited
as3Ge&
When Jim Johnson said ut ssst Ward County
$4,000 to educate MCGEE" he only told half Of 1t.
Tor In our opinion Ward County has wholly failed
In It's philanthro and laudable purpose Had the