Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-07

vacancy caused by the death of Justice
Guy C. Scott. In reaching this con-
clusion. Mr.. Cooke has yielded TO the
desires and wishes of a host of friends.
political. nonpartisan and personal
throughout the district.
Shortly after Justice SCOTS demise.
Mr.. Cookies name was suggested in
val ious partss4of the district. but lie
steadfast,y declined to consider the
matter until quite recently, first be-
cause he was so overwhelmed with
grief over the untimely death of his
lifelong personal friend. and secondly,
because he felt that there were Others
in his own party, who to his mind
were moce-fitted for the high distin"-
tion. The movement once started in
Mr.. Cookies behalf. however. would
not down. He was importuned on
every side to become a candidate. one
suggestion often made to him. and tho
enc that doubtless moved him mos.
being that if his lamented friend could
have chosen his own successor, none
would he have preferred more th1H
the associate of all the better yeas
of his life
MIR. Cookies Statement.
In authorizing The Argus to state
that he would accept the democratic
nomination should il come TO him. Mr..
Cooke said: Il consider the office Of
justice of the supreme court one II
too great Importance and meaning 10
or, To
who shall fill it, and in consenting TO
permit my name to be considered
among those from whom the demo
cratic party shall select its candidate.
l am doing so after having satisfied
Myself that there is no other demo.
cratic candidate who desires the nom
ination in this end of the district.
There is not doubt in my
mind that democrat should and will
he elected TO succeed Justice Scott
1t is right thai he, democrat, should
have a democratic successor. There
Las been growing all over this state
for years sentiment favorable to q
nonpartisan judiciary. a spirit that has
reached from the lower courts up &
where is that feeling stronger or more
firmly rooted than in Illinois highe s.
tribunal The members themselve>
believe | am sure. sincerely in it. Wit
the death of. Justice Scott. there re
mains but one democrat on the supreme
bench. Justice Farmer, and the argn
ment favorable to the election of
democrat to fill out Justice Scots
term at least, seems incontrovertibie
! believe this is the sentiment of tn,
district among republicans as well Il;
democrats"
Well Qualified.
That Mr.. Cooke is amply qualified
by, training and experience for tn
supreme court of Illinois, none familia
with him will deny. He has had /
years of active and hard work as
practitioner at the bar. and is one .
The best known lawyers in Merco
county. He began the practice OF lay
with the late Justice Guy c. Scott, AM
has since been associated with Ale
Macarthur, now master in chancery Q
Mercer county, and John Wilson, tn
present states attorney. Each of hi
partners has enjoyed politica
advancement in his chosen profession
At the present time Mr. Cooke Is pras
ticing alone, and is regarded as one 9
the most representative attorneys l
this supreme court division.
Needs No Political Introduction.
As far as his own party is concerne'
~ .y,T~ III
has served in the legislature, and ma
bcen worker for many years in tn
ranks and in the organization in tn
county. district and state. He is
present secretary of the democrat!
state central committee and he di