The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-06
THE yuDlcraL CHANGES.

Many of the official acts of Governor Conner have failed to secure popular approval. but the judicial changes he has so far made by reason of the resignation of Chief Justice John R. Tyson are most commendabls. The conclusion Is natural that his diffi- culties in the ofice of Governor have led him to rely more upon judicioqs advisers than in the past.
 Throughout Alabama the resignation of Chief Justice Tyson was a matter of regret. Judge Tyson had achieved an enviable fame. Although a man in the prime of life, he had had a wide and vabiabIe experience on the bench. Few men of the present day presiding officer of an Alabama court. As a young man he began his service as judge seventeen years ago. He had the true judicial temperament. and while he was always a student. he never drew aloof- from the affairs of men.
 After his excellent service as cir cult judge 1t was natural that he should be elevated to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court. Tb splendid record he made as Associate Justice entitled him to the promotion which the voters of Alabama gave him. over strong opposition. to the place of Chief Justice. AS Circuit Judge, as Associate Justice and as Chief Justice, he was able. learned, impartial and of pure intentions. His public record Is one of which his de- scendants may be proud in the years to come. In his retirement to the more remunerative field of private practice. he carries the best wishes of the people of Alabama.
 l Judge J. R. Dowdell could well be considered as entitled to the place of Chief Justice. In point of service he Supreme Court. His associates of the court. with one accord heartily en- dorsed him for the more honorable position, and in so doing their action was not only creditable to him, but to themselves as well. Judge Dowdeil is a splendid type of the Alabama lawyer and the Alabama gentleman.
 His life in the State has been long and fruitful, and his public service has reflected great credit upon his name. Few men in the history of the Ala bama Supreme Court were better qual- flied to discharge the responsibilities of justice of the Supreme Court than he was when he first took his seat upon the bench. He has since then flabored faithfully, studiously and ably in the discharge of those duties
 There will be no criticism and much approval of the executive act that raised him to the highest place in the court.
 The appointment of Judge A. D.
 Sayre to the place of Associate Jus
 tice was a surprise in Montgomery
 and perhaps in other parts of Ala
 bama, but throughout the State 1t
 is expected to meet with at least a part of the approval that it has re- ceived from every quarter in Mont
 gomery. No official act of the Gov ernor since he assumed offlce has been so popular as the promotion of Judge
 Sayre from the bench of the City
 Court of Montgomery will prove. Those who know him best and this
 includes most of the leading lawyers
 of Alabama, believe that Judge Sayre
 was ordained and prepared for the
 Supreme Court. They believe that, of all men, he is especially fitted and qualified for the duties of that high
 position. He is essentially a judge , calm, impartial, studious and with a , genius for going back to the source , of things. Few judges in Alabama ! have ever attained on the lower bench l the high reputation of Judge Sayre as a judge. The prestige of the Ala , bama Supreme Court will be main tained by such men as he.
 It was perhaps natural that Cover nor Conner should promote Judge W H. Thomas from associate judge to the full judgeship of the City Court of Montgomery to succeed Judge , sayre Judge Thomas has been eight , years on the bench. He has been ear- nest, high-minded. careful and impar'
 tial in the discharge of his duties over
 the criminal branch of the court. He is clean minded and able judge, who will discharge his new duties as well
 as he has discharged his old duties of
 the past. The people of Montgomery
 will approve his promotion.
 A NICE QUESTION.
 It will be remembered that the