The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-07

Iature, II In session. or appointed by
the governor, If vacancy occurs WhiIe
the legislature is not in session
1t cannot BIZ claimed that either the
legislature as a body or the COVER
nor of the State can be az familiar
with the qualifications OF the candi-
dates from any locality as arc the
members Of the bar of that locality
recognizing that fact, il has been the
rule with the previous governors, hay
Ing a high sense Of constitutional duty,
TO recognize such custom. In fact,
they have always regarded such rec
concentration as a fair and wise as
sistance to them in such duty. Inc
present governor so stated, when ask
ed to await the recommendation OF
the bar. when Judge Crump was rec
omme nded to the judgeship of the Law
and Equity court.
But We do not claim that the mere
length of the existence of custom is
full proof of its wisdom.
The reason for the custom in this
city has been, that ii has kept our
| Judges from being mere appolntees Of
a governor 1t has saved MS from the
refusal Of a governor to appoint frolp
personal objections, and from appoint
fnents IN repayment OF political obli-
cations. II has prevented the mem
| bers OF the Legislature from this city
from being elected because they might
favor some candidate for a judgeship.
II has kept our judges from the pit OF
petty politics. 1t has kept our judges
from being indebted TO any political
power. high or low. Eacn one Of them
has been required 70 subject himself
10 decision OF the lawyers with whom
he has practieed. and who will have 10
appear before him as a Judge
The result has been beneficial in the
class OF Judges who have occupied the
judicial benches of this city. 1t has
been recognized by the bar as SO bene
fetal In obtaining proper Judges. that
no man has been willing 10 seek such
an appointment without the endorse
nent OF the majority or his fellow
members OF the legal profession.
In the appointment just made by
the governor. so far al we are inform
ed. no member of the bar was informed
of it, except one member. No effort
whatever was made to ascertain the
views OF the bar,
In commenting upon this action OF
l<he governor, We are not discussing
the merits of the appointee. but the
method OF making the appointment.
1t will be seen that If this tTae-hon-
ored and wise custom 80 to be ignored.
in the future, in trying to have the
judges OF this city selected. free OF
political influence. will be a matter OF
/ snuch doubt,
Therefore, We regrei the action. OF
the governor in hurrying the appoint
ment Of the Judge Of the Hustings
court of Richmond. without awaiting
iyhe expression of the meeting of the
bar Of Richmond, which was about to
bN i,,
/ cent Communication 10 such meeting.
he had said was entitled TO great
weight: and We also regret the action
| OF our fellow member, y. G. Richard
son, in agreeing to accept the appoint
mcnt under such circumstances.
The StSners.
| George l.. Christian. Hill Carter.
| Wyndham r. Meredith, j. Jordan
I.eake. Joseph G. Taylor, Arthur NJ.
| Cannon. Hiram NJ. Smith. J II. Drake.
| Jr.. J. Med. Wexford. John r. Lea,
! John H. Guy, G. Carlton jackson.
! David. Meade White. Stonewall J.
I boswell, Samuel r. Carter, William
! r. Crawford. VIM. IT. Crump, Heath
/ J. Rawley. Ernest A. Gray. w. Bry
I Ion Tenant. Stuart Bowe. Robert W.
! stump Morgan +. Robinson, W, NJ.
Justis, Jr.. e. S. Cardoza, c, NJ. Chi
| chester. Chas. T.. VILLA ms. Jr.
W HIS II. Slflltf, otls T. " lkeT.
Chas. c. Russell. X. Grayson Dashiell,
]. II. Tucker, Overton Howard, Geo.
! r. Haw, w W. beverley. George y.
Skipwith. c. V. MHeredith. r. II. c.
!, Cabell, Leigh r. Page. T. G. Gordon.
John p. Leary. Robert \. Pollard.
Cary Ellis stern. Brockenbrough
Lamb. t. Rand Wexford. Henry Tay-
lor. Jr., Robert t. Winston. Phil r.
| Shield, George 3. White. Stuart G.
Christian. Leith S. Bremmer. c. u.
C;arnett, John PickrelI, Walter Leake,
,Ino. T.. Ingram, IT. G. Buchanan,
Thomas Il. Gay. Robert II. TalIey.
James Mullen. u. II. Leake, Eugene
c. Massie. Alvin b. Hutzler, Jno. s.
Eggleston. p. Albert Smith.
Edwin NJ. Pitcher. Jas. r. Shep
pard. Jr., w. Douglas Gordon. Albert
o. Boschen. Jas. askie. George p.
Haw, Edwin P. Cox. Il. +. Peyton,
Jr., Fl. Laurie Smith. Leon M. Ba-
zile. Thomas b. Snead, Maxwell G.
Wallace, Z. NJ. Long. Melvin Flegen-
heimer John A. Coke. Jr.. W. A. VIII
leroy. Edgar b. English, L. H. Drew,
John A Coke. w. Sydnor, Howard l..
Anderson. 10. Lane Stern. John How
ard A. s. Buford. Jr., G. Ridgeway
Moore, Wallace r. Brown. Maurice A.
Powers. L. 7. Williams. Jas. T. Lewis