Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-13
To the Voters of the
First Judicial Cir
cult of Md:

Upon the retirement OF JUDGES rage
and Lloyd of the First judicial Circuit
Of Maryland, under an act of the Gener-
al Assembly passed on the last day of
the session of nineteen hundred and
eight, and approved by the Governor on
April 9th, 1908. it devolved upon the
Governor to appoint their successors
until the next general election to be
held in the fall of nineteen hundred and
nine, at which time the voters of the
Circuit will, in the exercise of the con-
stitutional power, vested in them. elect
their successors for the term of fifteen
years.
In the issue of the Baltimore Sun, of
April End, 1908, there appeared the re-
port of an interview with Governor
Crothers, in which he is represented to
have said, that these appointments
would not be made for at least two
weeks from that time, and that it was
his wish that there should be no scram-
BILE for these judicial places, and that
the applicants should refrain from the
use of delegations. petitions and flood
of letters.
Upon learning of the retirement of
Judges Page and Lloyd, supported by
my friends in this Circuit, determined
to submit my name to the Governor,
for consideration in connection with the
appointment of the successor to Judge
Page. Therefore, on Monday, the sixth
day of April, delivered to a friend, a
member Of this Bar, to be submitted to
the Governor, at Annapolis, on the fol-
lowing day, letters of endorsement from
two members of the Bench of this Cir.
cult, as then constituted, and from
many of the members of the Bar of
Dorchester County, in fact. from all
the members of this Bar, except those
who were favorable to the appointment
of Emerson c. Harrington. Esq. The
party in whose care and custody this
endorsement had been placed for sub
mission to the Governor, upon his ar
rival in Baltimore on the following
morning, April 7th. learned that the
appointment had been made on the
previous evening and upon the day of
the Governors approval OF the act re-
firing Judges Page and Lloyd. Con-
sequently my endorsement never reach
ed the Governor. On Wednesday, the
eighth. letter was received from the
third member of the Bench. which gave
me the assurance that he was about to
write to the Governor endorsing my
appointment when he learned of the
present incumbent.
By the Constitution of this State,
the right is vested in the qualified voters
of each Judicial Circuit to elect their
respective Judges. Incident to this
right. is vested in them the further
power of nominating. through their
party organizations. the candidates of
their choice for Judges, and, in no
sense. should this right be abridged by
reason of previous appointment made
by the Governor, in the exercise of his
constitutional power.
| most respectfully submit that the
mere fact that the incumbent is an APP
pointee of the Governor and will have
served upon the Bench for only short
time, until the next general election,
should have no material weight or in
fiuence with the voters in the selection
of their candidate to be voted for, and
any claim or argument that may be
made, that simply because the incum-
bent has been so appointed by the
Governor, he should now be nominated,
as the choice of the people. is lacking
in weight and force. Such construc-
ton Of the constitutional right of the
voters would be to limit their power
merely to the confirmation, at the polls,
of the Governor choice, depriving them
of their right. in their nominating con-
vention, to select another, if the APP
pointee of the Governor be not their
choice. The Governor has made his
appointment. and respectfully submit.
that it is now with the voters of this
Circuit to exercise their constitutional
right in the selection of candidate for
whom their votes shall be cast at the
next general election.
This being true, have fully de-
termined to become candidate before
the people at the election in nineteen
hundred and nine, for the office of Chief
Judge of the First Judicial Circuit of
Maryland. and hereby announce my
candidacy for the same. subject to the
will of the Democratic party in the
First Judicial Circuit.
This announcement is made at this
time for the following reasons: First,
because the contest has been unexpect-
eddy precipitated by the discussion of
the subject in the public press; second.
because am urged to announce my
candidacy by leading members of the
Bar and influential citizens throughout
the Circuit; third, in order that the
voters of this Circuit may have ample
time and opportunity to judge Of the
claims and merits of the respective can
didates.
JOHN r. PATTISON.