The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-11
Law DID NOT WORK.
Continued from Page one.)

The 1918 Jaw makers enacted the
nonpar san judiciary act. The bill
was not passed, however, until most
Of the supreme court members and a
number of district judges had put
their approval on the proposed law.
was argued that the new law would
wipe away party lines and that men
would compete for judicial honors on
the broad plane Of qualifications. 1t
all sounded well. OF course. there
were rumors that the law tended to
keep present incumbents in office so
long as they I esired to stay. But the
Democrats-then in control Of both
branches of the legislature-were not
afraid and took a chance. They
passed the BILL
Last week the new law was for the
first time seen in operation in Kansas.
Three places on the supreme bench are
to be filed this year and under the
terms of the law. six candidates were to
be nominated. All of the three justices
whose terms expire in January were
candidates for denomination. Nine
other candidates, including a woman
also desired places on the supreme
bench and tie nOnpartisan ballots were
printed with a batting list of twelve.
Shocks Dignified Judges.
Now that it is all over Kansas judi
airy and the Kansas bar wonders what
has happened. Apparently none of the
three retiring justices-Mason, Benson
and Smith-have landed in the favorite
one. two, three class. 1t is probable
that Justice Clark A.. Smith is beaten
for denomination. Justice Mason is
safe. But Justice Benson has a close
squeeze and the relative positions of the
present incumbents in the finish do
not indicate clear sailing in November.
To the men who have watched the
fight under the new law. the opinion
has become predominant that justices of
the supreme court lose their identity
and are not known to the average voter.
Very little is heard by the average voter
concerning supreme court justices.
Many lawyers cannot name the seven
justices. On the other hand. the voters
hear much of 4 lawyer with a big state
wide practice and should he aspire to a
place on the bench, his name Is familiar
to the voter and he wirs. Again. hun
dreds OF voters have absolutely no first
hand information concerning the rela-
tive qualifications of the judicial can
didates and they vote blindly. Under
the old party system. supreme court
Justice who sought reelection usually
received a denomination without oppo-
sition at the hands of his party and in
the November election he polled -Ae
usual party vote.
But now it Is different. The averagt
voter knows not and cares not as to the
personnel Of the supreme court. And al
a rule he votes for the first set Of names
on the ticket or gives his suffrage to 9
particular candidate known in the com.
mrnity.
Wants the Law Fixed.
On the other hand the suprem
court Is a matter of grave concern t,
the Kansas bar. They see in tire new
law the tearing down OF high stand
ards and ideals. They realize tina
established ethics of the profession
must be forgotten and judicial dignit
laid aside II the supreme court justice
would perpetuate themselves in office
In the primaries last week the prob
able nomination of Mrs. Lizzie Sheldo
over some OF the most able Kansa
lawyers, was q shock that the averag
Kansas lawyer will feel for man
days. But little less severe was tn
news that John F. Hansol., the Linds
borg insanity lawyer, may be far fror
twelfth place In the running. And g
members OF the Kansas bar and Judi
ciary are talking it over. They agre
that the new reform law may nee
fNa