The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-10-15
Especial correspondence

Especial Correspondence.1
Harrisburg, Oct 12.
Members of the judiciary and law.
yers generally throughout Pennsylva-
hia are commenting adversely upon
the remarkable campaign that is be-
ing conducted by G. LaRue Munson,
the Democratic nominee for associate
justice of the supreme court, in his
own behalf.
This ambitious gentleman has cast
| aside all regard for precedent and has
ignored traditions of the legal profes.
sion in making political canvass for
election to the highest judicial tri-
bunal in the commonwealth.
1t has apparently not occurred to
Mr.. Munson that the proprieties of the
situation should prompt an aspirant
for an Office of this exalted character
to respect the sentiment of the people
which has been manifested upon many
an occasion in absolute hostility to
anything calculated to bring the judi
ciary into the game Of politics or to
besmirch the judicial ermine with
the communicating influence of a per-
sonal political campaign.
Pronounced Public Sentiment.
In Pennsylvania, probably more than
in any other state, has it been agreed
that candidates for the supreme bench
should refrain from any act that might
be construed as appealing for or so
liciting votes or to influence a political
campaign in any particular.
That an aspirant for the greatest Of
flee of judicial nature in the gift of
the people of the state should be found
going from county to county, from bor-
ough to borough, from ward to ward,
in mad hunt for votes, touching ell
bows with all sorts and manner of
men, good, bad and Indifferent, with
no evidence of realization of the un-
| dignified, unwholesome and dangerous
character of the canvass, has. call
ed forth a storm of protests such as
would startle man of ordinary SEN
sibilities.
A Judges High ideals.
Judge Robert Won Moschzisker, ever
since he was honored with a unani-
nous nomination for the supreme
bench, has refrained from taking any
part whatever in the political cam
paign He spent the summer in Nova
Scotia, and since his return has been
lndustriously engaged in the perform
ance of his judicial duties in the court
Of common pleas of Philadelphia. He
has declined every invitation to ad-
dress meetings. to attend receptions of
a political character or to participate
in public dinners where any reference
might be made to his candidacy.
In his speech of acceptance of the
nomination. Judge Won Moschzisker
showed how much he respected public
sentiment. Among other things he said:
The candidate for judicial Office
occupies a different position from
other candidates. Under our Gus
toms he is nominated by the party
| convention and may reasonably
look for the usual party support,
but he is not in a position to dis
cuss politics or the policies of his
party, for the reason that when
elected to the bench he has moth
ing whatever to do with politics or
the carrying out of party policies.
! In fact, it becomes his duty, when
elected, to forget that he was
candidate of any particular party
and to proceed to administer the
law for the whole people without
regard to any principles or poll
cies, save the principles of the law
n no fd eiU hn tn
stand them. Fortunately, these
ideas have become fixed in Penn
sylvania, and 1t is not my desire
to make any departure therefrom.
Not a single word or single act of
Judge Won Moschzisker since that day
can be pointed to that might be even
twisted into a suggestion Of an appeal
for solitary vote.
Policy of a Politician.
How different with his opponent,
Mr.. Munson. Mr.. Munson is now on a
tour of the state, shaking hands with
all who will honor him with an oppor-
tunity to do 80. A complete political
machine, entirely Independent of the
regular Democratic state committee,
has been running in his special inter
est ever since he entered the race.
Canvassers are out in the state, letters
are being written to Republicans 80
liciting their support for his candi
dacy, and individual appeals are being
made for complimentary" votes for
Mr.. Munson from men of the majority
party.
Every precinct politician under
stands the old complimentary vote
game"
1t has been worked time and again
to fool the unsophisticated, and 1t has
time and again been successful.
What Is a complimentary voter
1t is just the same as any Other
vote, only that 1t is usually a vote got