The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-12-09
FOR DISTRICT JUDGE
Valley County Wants Division Of
the Twelfth judicial
District

The following editorial which
in the Hinsdale Home
stead states the question SO clearly
that The Searchlight has conclud-
ed to give it publicity in Eastern
Valley County:
There can be no question about the
people Of Valley County wanting division
of the Twelfth Judicial District. and that
they wan, this county segregated from
Chouteau and created . Judicial District
within itself. The District court business
Of Valley county has grown to such pro-
portions that . further continuation OF the
two counties Of chouteau and Valley IN
one Judicial District works hardship up
on the presiding Judge. because OF the in
creased business Of the court: besides. re-
tards the interests Of the people. because
the presiding Judge has not the time 10
which to look after the interests OF both
counties with full term Of District court
four times year in each county. Again
the District court business Of Valley county.
criminal. civil and probate. has become 50
heavy that the people Of this county now
see the necessity Of cleaning up the docket
four times year. This was fully made
manifest in the recent campaign in this
county. wherein the republican party IN its
county platform in strong resolutions de-
Glazed for division of the Twelfth Judi
cial District, and tina the people BY an
unusual majority endorsed that platform
on election day. there can be NO doubt
about their desires on this score. The
democrats did not oppose the measure and
by their silence upon the question we may
very naturally take il for granetd tiat the
people of that political party also endorse
the measure.
From this time on the district court bust.
ness Of this county will become heavier
with each succeeding year as the county
settles up and becomes more populous. Al
the present time our county jail is almost
full considerable portion OF the time with
persons charged with criminal odenses.
The presiding Judge. Icing buriened with
the busines Of another county.is unable to
clean out the Jail oftener than about twice
year. and many Of the prisoners remain
in the jail from three to six months await
ing trial. at an expense for their keep to
this county. A division Of the Judicial
District would serve to hasten the trial Of
all persons charged with criminal offense
and therefore tighten the expense to the
taxpayers of the county. In civil and pro-
bate matters. in many instances. litgan,s
are not ready for trial when the Judge
convenes tie court and cases are therefore
continued from one term Of court to an
other at considerable Inconvenience and
some expense to one side or the other. and
probably both. II this county should con-
stitu,e Judicial District of itself. litigants
would soon learn to be ready when cour,
sits and the civil and probate calendars
would be cleaned up four times year.
which would prove Of very great benefit tc
the people.
There is no sufficient reason TO be given
for the forthcoming legislature not divid-
ing the Twelfth Judicial District. The
present presiding Judge. the Homestead
understands. favors the movement. The
people want il. and necessity. in the inter
ests Of the people. demands il. and VI
shall all look for it. And with hope anc
expectation Of such division. il may not b
out Of place at this time to express ouI
views Of proper person to be appointed
to the Judgeship Of the new district to b
created.
i The Homestead notices in the editoria
columns OF the Valley County News. thai
mention is made of tho claims Of George E
Hurd. OF Glasgow. as the News hrs
choice. and F. E. Stranahan. Of Fort Ben
ton. as its second choice. While we have
nothing to say against the integrity and
qualifications Of either Of these sentlemer
and believe either Of them would prove
worthy Of the bench. the Homestead. like
others. is entitled to choice. and therefore
names the Hon. John L. Siastsry. Of Glas
gov. as its first and only choice-~e have
no second choice.
In mentioning Mr.. Slattery As our choice
we do it with no feeling other than thu
most kindly towards Mr.. Hurd or Ar
Slranahan. Mr. Hurd is one Of the lars'
practitioners Of this county. He has spen
years 10 building up practice and Eeputa
tion for success At the bar that would hard
" pay him to give up for the salary that i
in the Iudgeship. and with = presidinl
Judge residing within the district. his prae
sics and reputation ~ successful la~ye
would increase and expand from one en-
Of the state to the other. As to Mr.. Stran
ahan. who resides in another county. -
believe ve only quote the wishes Of Ii
people in saying that Valley county ha
able and compstent timber for the Office
l a 4