Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

appoints republican as member OF
the court, and a democratic president
appoints a democrat as member Of
that body.
We believe that our people, as a
rule, think that the supreme court III
our state should not be made up OF
all democrats OF OF all republicans, but
that it is better for all concerned that
the politics of the judges should be
divided
At the present time, we believe that
there is just one democrat on the SUI
preme bench of the state We believe
that the democrats are, in all fairness,
body.
George Cooke who was nominated
Thursday for a position on the SUI
preme bench, is a most excellent man,
as clean as hounds tooth. in every
way He is a bright wholesome, COM
panionable fellow; a good man and an
able lawyer. If elected to the SUI
preme bench. he will make a most
valuable member of that body. He
will serve the people with perfect
| fidelity and rare ability. We believe
that ii is the best for all concerned
that Mr.. Cooke should be elected 10
that body. His election, as we under
stand ii, will give the democrats two
members OF the seven members of the
court.
Day before yesterday we received
a letter from one of the best known
and most highly respected citizens of
this state. 1t reads as follows
Il have just read your editorial il
The Argus on George A. Cooke To
say that [ am nightly pleased with
your position, but feebly expresses my
Feelings. | am greatly interested in
George A. Cooke. Not that have anv
special interest in the court, for
have no business there: nor is il for
political reasons. But | have learned
to know Mr.. Cooke intimately. | have
had an opportunity to learn his ability
to measure his judgment and to be
come acquainted with his spirit If
fairness and his integrity | respect
his attainments and admire his ster-
ling manhood. Mr.. Cookies election
would put upon the supreme bench a
lawyer who would be credit to the
court, and an honor to your district
and to our state
"All citizens, regardless of party
and whether they have business with
| the court or not. have deep interest
| in maintaining this court of last re-
sort. at the highest state of efficiency
and of integrity There has been
much talk about non-partisanship If
| our judiciary. There are many rea-
sons. l have heard lawyers say, why
the members of this court should moi
all be offthe same party. Many news
papers have. time and again. taken
| this same position. At present. al
the members of the court. except one
belong TO the same party: and. rs
numbers so. this is dangerously near
| what the newspapers, the lawyers, and
| the members of the court themselv IS
have declared to be AN undesirable
condition. -
| THE election of Mr.. Cooke by youl
district would be in accord with The
public sentiment, so frequently ex
pressed. and | am heartily glad 10 see
you take the position YOU have. for
know that you will be a power for
good in your district"
| All that we can add TO this is tn II
we have seen quite good deal of Nj.
| Cooke during the last two or three
years at committee meetings of thu
state central committee, OF which he
is secretary. and at political meetings
and everything that we have seen OF
him has been to his credit. He is d
plain. simple, unaffected fellow, a
man of most engaging qualities. He
is the kind of man that makes friends
easily and holds them long. He is .
fine sample of the American man.