The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-18
10 p,..cE ron poL1TIcs.

NO PLACE FOh
abandon politics, All Ye Who Enter
Here" would be a good sign to place
pyer the door of the Supreme Court OF |
the United States. It is TO be expected
that the attorneys practicing before the
court shall not divest themselves OF
their political prejudices and purposes
but the Judge on the Bench should III
vorce himself absolutely from all ms
political activities. whatever they have
been and give himself over wholly to
the proper business of his office. lie
does not lose his responsibility as a
citizen because he is a Judge; but just
to the extent that he Identifies himself
with party or factional politics. ne es-
tablishes his unfitness for the Bench.
we agree entirely with the New YORK
sun that the time has come when Mr.,
Justice Hughes should do one of two
things: stick to politics and keep
off the Bench, or go on the Bench and
give nm politics, and particularly fac
tional politics. The Sun did not putt
1t in this way exactly, but that is the
meaning of its perfectly frank protest
against the recently much advertised
conference between the Governor ana
the Colonel at Oyster Bay.
Governor Hughes has not yet taken
the oath of office as Justice of the SD
preme Court; but his appointment by
President Taft has been confirmed by
the senate. 1t would seem that deli
cate sense of his position would cause
him to refrain from taking any part
whatsoever in the adjustment of fac
tional differences in the ranks of his
own party or from discussing any mat
tiers OF principle or policy between MS
party and the opposition. Yet he de-
voted one whole night last week to a
conference with the Colonel touching
questions of party policy and party
management in New York State. After
consenting with Mr. Taft TO accept tho
appointment as Associate Justice or
tn, supreme Court, he continued to ad-
minister the Office OF Governor of his
state with the distinct object OF fore
ing the passage of a law which was
unacceptable to the majority OF MS
own party In the Legislature. That IN
itself was not becoming in him, and
mis- continued activity in the factional
affairs of his party does not leave
good taste in the mouth or promise
Immunity from political influences after
he has been sworn in as a member or
the Court. Surely 1t does not mean
What after he has taken his place on
the Bench re will ask for leave OF
absence whenever the conditions in
New York appear to require his guild
sng hand so that he may advise with
1.-THE Colonel or with anybody else as
or the other result IN the management
of the party. Surely, he Will not put
in any part OF his time in stamping
tthe State or in taking counsel with
ANY of the rleaders on political cues
lions OF. aspartisan or fractional sort
down to this time, we believe, ever been
active in political affairs. No member
,of that great tribunal can afford to be-
come active in political matters now
unless the Court is hereafter to take
on the complexion OF whatever party
as in power or whatever party is re-
sponsible Tor the appointment of tn,
Judges. In the latter case. the per
sonnet, not only OF the Supreme Court
but OF all other Federal Courts as well
should be changed with the admins
ltrauoa.
we can understand how earnes. Gov
Aernor Hughes has been for the success
of the policies he has advocated, bu
his disposition to play politics unu
the very moment of his putting on tn,
gown OF the Judge has not been i'll II,
best taste. nor in accordance with III,
example of any OF the other members
of the Court in this or any other per
aod since the Court was established.