New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-07
DEEDS AGAINST WORDS.

UE6OS h1aINoi "ONDS'
The cynical contempt Of Mr.. Roose-
/ velt for his own record and the memory
Of the public was never more clearly
/ shown than In the judiciary plank Of
the Third Term party's state platform
II says:
/ The selection Of judges by amicable
understanding between the bosses Of
/ both political parties and lawyers OF
I easy craftsmanship but ardent devotion
/ TO corporate interests we denounce as
/ fraud and travesty upon the principle
of non-partisanship In the choice OF
/ judicial officers.
Now, it happens that the most ex-
treme travesty on the principle Of nom
partisanship through the selection Of
Judges by amicable understanding be-
tween bosses ever witnessed in this
state was put through in 1910 by
Boss" Roosevelt, the unquestioned
master Of the state convention, who,
going beyond the practice Of nominal
Ing a Democrat OF known fitness whom
the Democrats had named or might
name, actually delegated to Boss
Murphy the task Of naming candi-
date to 90 on the Republican ticket.
Republicans had before that fire.
Quently Endorsed Democrats coming up
for reelection because their individual
merits warranted ii. In 1904 on their
own hook they nominated for the Court
of Appeals Judges Cullen and Werner,
a Democrat and a Republican, both sit
ting In the court by designation OF The
odore Roosevelt, and left the Demo
Gratis to take them or leave them.
There was no amicable understanding
about it, David B. Hill disliked Judge
Cullen and did not want to indorse him,
and nothing but the insistence Of Judge
Parker. the Presidential candidate,
that the party could not afford to op-
pose them led TO Democratic accept
ance Of these nominations. We do not
recall any other union Of Republicans
and Democrats on judges Of the Court
Of Appeals in recent years. except in
the case Of judges coming up for re-
election. until Mr.. Roosevelt as SUI
preme boss Of the party handed over TO
Boss" Murphy blank certificate OF
nomination for one judgeship and adj
iourned his state convention, leaving
Mr.. Murphy to fill in the name Of the
candidate at his leisure.
Two judges were to be elected in
t.I for
one place Judge Irving G. Vann, long
time member Of the court and partici-
pant in many Of the "reactionary" de-
cisions on account Of which Mr.. Roose-
velt attacks that court, and was even
then attacking It. Judge Vann could
serve only two years before reaching
the age limit In exchange for his in
| dorsement Mr.. Roosevelt left the other
place vacant 10 he filled by committee
with the candidate whom Mr.. Murphy
might later select for a full term OF
fourteen years. Mr.. Murphy, pursuant
TO that amicable understanding, named
lawyer without judicial experience.
the law partner Of John Il. Stanchfeld
and a brother Of the law partner Of
William +. Sheehan. Thus Frederick
Collin found place on the Republican
ticket. We believe Judge Collin has
proved TO be a good judge, and we do
not mean TO suggest any criticism OF
him. But after resorting for his own
purposes to such method Of selecting
judges, which gave the Republican yot-
ers no voice whatever in the matter,
and handed over 10 BOSS" Murphy the
absolute power to put man in the
Court Of Appeals. despite any objection
Of Republicans or Of independent
Democrats, IL is an insult to the intelli-
gepce Of voters for Mr.. Roosevelt to
turn up suddenly now az opposed on
high and austere principles to amicable
understandings between the parties for
the selection OF judges.