The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-11

ed TO and after n careful reading Of Mr. Roosc-
veits speech before the Ohio Constitutional
Convention that he Is opposed to inc reca.. 2.
Judges practiced by a few OF the WesteIh
States. He selects Massachusetts, as. having IN
his opinion. the best form Of recall, ana u
seems to that It is exactly the same tnat
has been in operation here In Virginia. for many
years past That Is. the Legislature can de-
prive a Judge of MIS- once. upon a majority
vote. after giving him fair trial. As you
are doubtless aware. there have been two re
calls' here of judges In recent years and In
both Of these cases the recall was very much
needed, ~--------
IT, therefore. / am right In stating that Mr..
Roosevelt Is only in favor of the recall as Is
practced in Massachusetts (and Vtrginia) why
is this constant criticism which Is an indrect
criticism OF the system now practiced by Ntr-
ginia
There are a great many people who think
that this question of the recall of judges Is
something new as 1t is radical. Is II not fact
that Thomas Jefferson. who Is supposed to be
the pillar and ground OF Democracy In ms
autobiography says In regard to the recall
Of judges that las for the safety OF society
We commit honest maniacs to Bedam, so judges
should be withdrawn from their bench whose
erroneous biases leading us to dissolution
II may indeed injure them in fame or for
tune, but IL saves the republic. which Is the
first and supreme law, If you did not know
TT Thomas Jefferson making this statement
1t would sound like Roosevelt would 1t not?
Now, to recall OF judicial decision under
certain circumstances, there Is nothing new or
startling in that either. During President
lCieveand's administration the Supreme Court
decided that the Income tax was unconstitu.
tonai, and already large number OF
the States have taken the necessary steps to
recall this decision but the present method
proves cumbersome. that 1t is now proposed
to go directly to the people. and the whole coun-
try could act at once. IL my memory serves
me right number of Democratic platforms
national well State. have demanded the
recall of this income tax decision On the
whole. the recall of judges sponsored by
Thomas Jecerson. and the recall Of the judicial
decisions. upheld in many Democratic plat
forms, seem TO me to make these two features
very excellent Democratic doctrine.
In short. ii seems to me that there has been
la great deal of hysteria and hallcuinatfon over
this question and that our papers. as q rule,
either are Intentionally misleading their readers
or else they have failed to read and digest MT
Roosevelt's speech before the Ohio Constitu-
tional Convention. / have read the speech
carefully and thoughtfuy, and in my judy
ment. there is nothing radical or revolutionary
about It I would most strongly advise you to
secure copy of the Outlook of February cath
ui. in which 1t Is given in full. for 1t is quite
apparent to me that you have been misied In
lack foundation.
ghtenment this subject II / will be
pleased to have you point out wherein the
above is wrong. as 1T is solely my object to
ascertain the truth In this matte: and the
truth is as l see IT, that the so-called recall
as advocated by Mr. Roosevelt Is the prac-
tced In this State for many years past. to very
good advantage
STUDENT OF POLITICS.
Richmond. Va. April 9th.