The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-07-16

and does not agree with the
recommendation of the Bar Associa-
ton. He has written an interesting
communication on the subject, which
follows:
"Tybee Island, June "a, 1914.
'Mr. G. Phillips Armstrong, Reporter
Morning News, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Sir: Yours of the 21st in
slant, in reference to the suggested
interview on the subject of the cleo
ton Of the judiciary by the people re-
ceived yesterday morning.
Il remained silent during the dis
cussion on this subject at the Bar
Association, and probably l should
continue to do so. However, on re-
Election, I see no serious improperly
in answering your question and
briefly giving you my views upon
the suggestion of the committee on
port to the Bar Association last Fri
day
81 am out of harmony with the
suggestions Of this committee, as re-
lated to the proposition to take from
the people the right to select their
judges. I am unalterably opposed to
their suggestion. I have great re-
spect for the learning, character and
views generally of this committee,
and especially of it's chairman, Judge
A. J. Cobb, Of Athens. But the
scheme to change the system at pres
ent in existence, and establish by
law after much discussion and con-
sideration, and to put the right to Sc
lect the judges of this State in the
hands Of the Supreme Court, is ut
terly at variance with my convic-
tions.
"Some of the leaders of this re-
form idea want the general assembly
to elect the judges, and some want
the governor to appoint. [ may be
in the minority and I may be in the
wrong, but I am opposed to returning
to either Of the old, or embracing the
new system suggested. I know that
there are evils existing and apper-
tanning to all of these systems of the
election of judges, but in my honest
opinion there are less evils attached
to the present system of election
than to the election of the judges by
the general assembly or their ap-
pointment by the governor, or by
lie OuDl CulS NOuIC.
''To allow the Supreme Court to
name the judges will transform this
high and sacred court into a political
body, which would be a public Gala
nifty. Besides, it would seriously
embarrass it's members to burden
them with the selection of judges of
this State, and in the end would, in
a measure, destroy it's usefulness and
the confidence which the people now
respOse in this high tribunal.
Il have served the Western Circuit
for seventeen years; eight as solicit
tor general and nine as judge. I
have had experience with all of the
systems in vogue in the past. / was
elected solicitor general by the
general assembly, appointed judge by
a governor, and have been twice
elected judge with opposition by the
people, and am running again, at
present without opposition. I have
thus had an opportunity to form
from actual experiences decided
views upon this question, whether
sound or unsound.
"The system of election Of judges
by the general assembly had become
so obnoxious to the people of Georgia
that it was destroyed without seri-
Gus opposition. Many in the State
charged that it had become corrupt.
When the general assembly had pow
er to elect judges and solicitors gen.
eral, trades and combinations,
schemes and cliques and tricks were
the rule of the day and night, and by