The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-14
Hancock Department
DO NOT FAVOR
PRESENT METHOD
LEGISLATORS BELIEVE THAT
CIRCUIT JUDGES SHOULD ee
APPOINTED RATHER
THAN ELECTED.

According to Lansing advices. gem
eral dissatisfaction with the judicial
primaries is expressed among the law
makers. Not Only among the mem
bers of the legislature, but among the
attorneys who are there TO watch one
or another bill.
Senator Charles White of Berrien e.
one of the most outspolSen members ON
the subject.
''Of course this is the day when we
believe in leaving everything 10 tho
people," says Senator White. "It is
the age when the popular theory Is 10
get down just as close to the pecple
with everything as possible. But To
my mind, when you throw the judicial
branch of the government into prac-
teal politics your theory is over
thrown. In all cases it has made the
courts of Michigan, which should be
above influence. mere cog I'm the po-
litical machine.
The election by popular vote of
judges is bad enough, but the moment
we add to that the necessity for NOM
mating by popular vote also you force
the judge to make two popular cam
paigns. force him to play for votes
and must necessarily i'm time, at any
rate, warp him to the interests of
the persons or factions who are re-
sponsible for his position.
Would Appoint Judges.
The proper way to remove the
Judges from politics entirely is to have
Tie governor appoint them for life
and good behavior just as the federal
Judges are appointed. Can you mag
inc such man as Alexis c. Angel,
one of the best attorneys i'm Michigan
and recently appointed to the federal
bench, going out into the river front
districts of Detroit to seek votes? Can
YOU imagine Judge Arthur G. Denison
of Grand Rapids, just appointed to the
United States circuit bench, working
the west side clubs for votes
such men as these are Just the men
we should have on the circuit benches
throughout the state, but under the
present system we have no such
chance. Men of that caliber will not
make popular campaign to begin
with, to say nothing of making two
campaigns, as is necessary under the
present law.
Neither would such men as these
make a bargain, barring the purely
political side of it, for the salaries paid
TO circuit judges when 1t must cost
them a considerable amount to secure
their nominations and elections and
then hold office for but six years. Such
men as these might be induced to take
up the work of a circuit court, leaving
even more lucrative practices, if it
were simply a case of the governor
calling them down to Lansing, asking
them If they would accept, and then
making the appointment for the rest
of their lives.
May Amend Constitution.
Moreover, If this were the case, no
judge would be influenced by any con-
sderation. He would have no part in
politics and no fear Of the effect of
'AhS VI hiS utNlSioilSs mlNHlEdI Slbulh
get in line with advanced thought on
this subject and should amend her
constitution to provide that all the jul
dietary OF Michigan should be appoint
ed for life and good behavior. / don't
know what chance a bill to that effect
would have, but / am seriously consld-
ering the advisability of introducing a
bill providing for such an amendment
and letting the people take chance at
1t at any rate. If the people then de-
eide they prefer having the judiciary
IN politics to having it free and clear
of all influence. that will be IN to
them, but / believe the latter method
hest and think | shall give them a
chance to decide it."
This is only one of many expressions
on this subject. 1t is radical change
from the present system and were il
IN some other branches of government
1t might appear like step backward
but the best men i'm the legislature feel
pretty strongly on the subject, and
such an amendment is more than like
ly to be presented.
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INVITED TO SERVICE.