The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1912-12-24
JUDGES OF
COUNTRY ARE
NOT CORRUPT
JURlSTS AS A RULE ARE
SELECTED FOR CAPADILITY

DALI DUES NOT INDICATE The
COURTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE
DISHONEST.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a Con-
trary to what seems to be a very
general opinion, the impeachment of
Judge Robert w. Archibald does not
indicate that the judiciary of the
country is generally corrupt. Such
j care has been taken to guard the
I selection of those who occupy the
judicial bench that there is little
cause to fear the spread of the de-
lection.
The constitution of the United
States provides for the appointment
of justices of the supreme court and
other federal courts by the president
of the United States, by and with the
consent of the senate. The trainers
of the constitution. secure in the be-
lief that every confidence could be
placed in the congresses of their
own day and subsequent ones. pro-
Vfded that congress should have pow
er to ordain and establish, from time
to time, such inferior courts as
should appear necessary. And early
congresses framed legislation to reg
ulate the manner of choice of such
administrators of law and dispensers
of justice.
In some courts there preside judges
who are elected by the people; 9TH
ers are presidential appointees, their
nominations must, by law, be confirm
ed by the United States senate. This .
provides the. necessary check on i'm
moderate choices of jurists. It is
the assumption that the. judgment Of
the senate is seal of approval. Civ
en- after full consideration, is bound i
to insure the filling of the vacancy
by a man capable of properly dis. /
charging the duties Of the office.
AS to the elective judgeships, it is
the assumption that as the people are
accountable only to themselves they
will select a man whom they be-
lieve will be safely accountable to II
them. Both avenues of choice are
covered. But as a final bulwark
against unwise choice on the part of
the president of one of his judicial
appointees. and against unwise ac-
ton on the part OF the senate in
confirming such choice, the consti-
tuition provides for the impeachment
of federal-that is, appointed-judges
by the senate at the instance of the
house of representativ> the di-
rect representatives, of he people
So then. it will be observed, the
writer's realized he
great Importance of placing men on ]
the benches of the country who ire
capable Of administering justice -
men of nimble and adroit minds. but
men of sound temperaments. and de
iberate action.
Long years have interviewed since
hese things We're so ordered, AMI
tme, some contend. has twisted mat
ers awry. In nearly every state in
he slnion they say there may be 4
ound some judge who is incapable 4
If performing his duties. The inefri- 1
,iency, however. of such a judge
lever is lis fault 1t IS patiently the
ault of those who put him in Office.
To continue this line of argument 4
would bring one to an inevitable dis
ussion of the recall of judges prop
-ganda, with its various phases Of
merit and demerit. 1t may be stated
loweyer, that though there are uu-
oubtedly here and there corrupt or
nfitted members of the Judiciary the
asst majority Of judges are men such
$ the trainers of the constitution
ad in mind when they drafted their
royisions for judicial selection. How.
yer, the price Of clean courts and
.orthy laws seems to be eternal Wig
ance.
A Professional Paradox