Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-02-21
SHOULD MAKE IMPEACHMENT
EASIER.

Attorney General Wickersham con-
tinues to preach the doctrine of easier
methods of Impeachment of judges as
an offset to the latest theory of sub
jecting them to the recall. Like Pres
ident Taft, and many other prominent
public men, he recognizes that there
is a good foundation, for the public
eminent that some reforms as re-
CARDS the judiciary are necessary, but
he denies that the Recall" system
can be applied as a remedy with other
than disastrous results. Judges sub
iected to every passing fancy of the
public, liable to be removed when
ever they feel it incumbent on them.
in the exercise of their powers, to OPP
pose some transitory movement as
antagonistic to the constitution, are
unquestionably apt to deteriorate in
the very qualities that are most need
ed on the bench. revOtion to equity and
justice and fearlessness in the appli-
cation of the principles Of law. If
some other method than the new-fangl-
ed recall" can be adopted, something
that will not do so much violence to
the stability and character of the jul
dietary, and yet will adequately pro-
tect the people from the continuance
on the bench of unfit judges, it GER
tainly should have preferential trial
The AttOrney-General's views in this
connection are well worthy of the
careful consideration of every citi-
zen realizing, as all should do, that
an upright, courageous and high prin-
sipled judiciary is the greatest bull
wark a people can have against tyr
amy whether it comes from unprin-
cipled men in office or in the guise OF
mob-rule. Here is what the Attorney
General has to say:
IF the Government is to meet the
essential needs of the people it must
be founded on trust and confidence in
the wisdom and integrity of those who
are to discharge the various duties i'm.
posed in carrying it on" No people
he added, could expect the best service
from those whom thew select under
circumstances, and burden with re-
strictions, which indicate not conf
dence but distrust.
More essential, perhaps. than an,
other part of a government. the At
tOrney-General declared. was an indie
pendent judiciary who are not to b,
deferred from performing their dut,
by any amount of clamor" Urging
simplitication, however, of the nrc
cesses of Impeachment, Mr.. Wicker
sham said:
Where judges become so blirded b
prejudice or class feeling that thev cal
not fairly and impartially administe
the law, they should be impeached
But the process of impeachment .
judges is a cumbersome one 1t oUgh
| to be simplified so that charges judge
might be tried bv some appropriat
and workable machinery as readily a
"tNe~ grave and important issues ar
tried"
There has been a growing dis
content with legislative bodies all owe
the land, Mr.. Wickersham declarel
State legislatures and municipa
councils" he said, have been found !
many instances to be corrupt and in
| efficient. | am in entire sympath
with the reasons which have led t
the enactment of laws providing 70
the nomination of candidates for offic
by direct popular election.
But in many instances the law
framed to accomplish purpose wit
which all honest men must sympathiz
lose sight of other consideration
which are perhaps of equal import
anCe
The function of law-making ougt
to attract the highest talent and tn
most disinterested character, but sys
| TENS whereby laws are to be made
postal card and popular petitions ten
to so destroy the dignity of the legisls
tive oce as to make it unattractive eN
en- to those who might otherwise sui
| ject themselves to the scramble of
primary contest for the nomination /
order to reach a field of public use
| fulnacc