Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-20
SUPREME COURT
ELECTIONS TO FORE
Four Vacancies TO Be Filled and
Present Judges Will Be
Candidates.
FOUR VACANCIES TO BE FILLED
frrom a staff correspondent.)

lFrOIn n (0AANaktsN@N--"-f
LINCOLN, Dec. 1s.-(special.) -Much
interest has been manifested the last
week over the candidacy Of judges OF the
supreme court for reelection. There VIII
be four vacancies TO be filled and IN
each case one OF the present judges VIII
be q candidate for reelection to a place
on the bench. The judges whose terms
expire are Chief Justice A. N. Morrissey,
Associate Justices Fawcett. Barnes and
sedgwick.
Judge Barnes and Judge Sedgwick will
be candidates for the same places they
are now filling. II Is pretty well Under
stood that Judge Fawcett would like to
become a candidate for the chief justice
shin. but as yet does not seem to be
able 70 make up his mind whether he
wants to move up. Chief Justice Nor
rlseey would like 10 remain on the bench,
but does not know whether he really
wants to take a try At the chief Justice
ship or take a try at an associate posi-
tion.
Az Important as Ever.
The same proposition which caused
Governor Morehead to appoint Judge
Morrlssey. that OF putting young blood
at the head Of the court. 10 apparently
Just as important now as Il was then.
While the appointment n the time
brought down a large amount Of criticism
upon the governor, especially from mem
bers of his own party, u IL pretty well
agreed now that the appointee has made
good in the position Of chief justice and
the fact that Editor Howard of th'
Columbus Telegram and one or two otheri
who scored the governor unmercifull,
for appointing Morrissey at the time. nov
T. acknowledge their mistake and hand th'
: judge many compliments. 10 evidences
that while the position Is nonpartisan
Judge Morrissey Is likely to be pretty
popular with even those who opposed hi
appointment.
But II Is said that tho chief justice Il
not sure that he cares to enter the race
for denomination for the position OF heat
Of the court. The position carries with
Il much hard work and long hours an,
to q man OF the energetic disposition o
the present chief justice with the handi
cap of adverse criticism which his ap
pointment brought. the midnight cleo
( tricIty has burned often In the office o
the ehief Justice IN his efforts 70 counter
act some Of the things which were said
the head Of the highest judicial trfbune
In the state.
Work Mach Lens.
From a standpoint OF effective work. Z
c man can accomplish Just az much ms al
y associate as he can at the head OF thc
4 court. Judge Morrissey has received al
the prestige which would come TO him Al
2 chief justice Of the supreme court and
70 step into an associate position woulc
: not dcteriorate from the prestige gained
while The salary would be the same, thu
work much less and the responaibilit'
which comes az head OF the court re
moved. A head Of the court the chic
Il expected 70 ST in all cases while th
other six judges are alternating IN sit
tings of three each. which from tn
standpoint OF hours Of labor makes I
considerable difference.
But Il n expected that after the boil
days both viii have gained wisdom will
their turkey and cranberry sance AM
win be able TO inform the public wha
their desires are. IN the meantime Their
are others who are looking with Ionginl
eNea toward the supreme court, and tn
list already is a long one. beginning wit
Judge Cornish Of Lincoln. Judge Dean o
Broken Bow. Judge Perry Of cAmbridg,
Judge westover Of Rushviiie. Judg
Grimes Of North Platte. Judge Hunt q
bridgeport and Judge Hastings Of Davi
city. So In case anything happens TO IN
present lncuwhonts before primary da
there win stiIl be good crop on III
judicial tree to select from.