The Detroit times., 1912-03-08
Editorials by the People.
Judge Angel Should Not Be Permit.
ted TO Recall Himself.
,ditor Of The Times,

To the Editor Of The Times
Granted that man has the capaci-
" to perform the particular kind OF
public service demanded of him; he
has no right 10 deny himself TO the
state and 10 society. and 10 refuse
TO perform that service when asked
to do so; and, in direct ratio with the
fullness of the measure OF his capac-
ity TO respond 10 the requirements OF
the work, and the rareness OF the oc-
currence of a like measure OF capac-
ity for that work among other men,
is the compulsion upon him 10 do II
when he is asked.
Considerations OF personal comfort
and convenience and, in but slightly
leso degree, OF the welfare and com
fort OF his family are never for a
moment adequate reasons for man $
refusal to serve the people in posi-
ton for which he is pre-eminently
fitted. Eliminate the action OF hered-
ity: and all that man has or Is,
health and happiness, property and
all that its requirement and posses
sion means 10 him. security and we'll
being life and family itself are debt
TO society and the state which, when
called upon 10 do so. he is in duty
bound. up TO the full measure OF his
ability. TO repay. The more he has
and has become. and the greater his
ability the stronger is the compelling
mower OF the duty upon him 10 repay
the debt.
This ia all very trite and merely
by way of preliminary 10 an express
- af tho rQnOTf WHICH
has become public, regarding the pos
slble resignation OF Judge Alexis {.
ANGEL OF the United States district
court for the eastern district OF
Michigan, and It Is written ia-tAe
hope that a consideration OF these
truths and of his peculiar capacity
and fitness Tor the place viii lead TO
so strong a public protest in person
and through the press. that the
calamity Of his retirement may be
avoided.
Coming from fine old New England
stock, behind him are generations or
God.fearing Puritan ancestors Be
fore him is a wide field of compelling
opportunity for the highest type OF
pubic service. In himself Is unique
capacity for the work TO which he
mas Upcu SllOh6 III iNOA -
fibre. clear in vision and fine in APP
prehension of spiritual truth; broad
| in human sympathy, courageous,
kind, and considerate in his inter
course with others: accurate and dis
eliminating in his judgments between
light and wrong; with trained
MIND. ard the highest type OF legal
ability and attainment; has man,
with qualifications such as these, ans
right whatever TO consider for one
Ir0ment laying down the task TO
which he has committed himsefy
We need such men as judges-and
never more than we need them now
and when. as in this instance, the
place has found the man. 1t Is the
peoples duty TO exert every possible
pressure upon him TO the end that
he shall continue in the work.
II the burden of the work has be-
come too heavy for his time and
strength; then let congress divide the
district, or create another iudgeship
within It; and. TO this end, let the
people individually urge their seha'
tors and their representatives In con-
sress TO see that legislation is en-.
acted that will grant the needed
measure OF relief.
7. STANLEY HURD.
Detroit. March z, 1912.