The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-10-29
State Capital Letter.
Boise, Idaho oct. 20, 1915.
especial service to the Times)

against Chief Justice j. N. Sullivan
was one of the political developments
OF the past week This fact was ascer-
tanned by your correspondent from
Judge Walters. himself, who, when
interr0gated as to the authenticity of
the report appearing in recent issue
OF the Oregonian as well as other
papers to the effect that he would be
found in the next campaign pitted
against the Chef Justice, declared
that the story was wholly without
foundation as he was firmly decided
against aspiring for any office, and
that he might be quoted to this. effect.
Since retiring from the iudgeship
OF the Fourth Judicial District Judge
Walters has developed a highly
lucrative practice and he holds that
he cannot afford to sacrifice this to
enter politics. In this connection,
1t is safe to predict that no formid
able opposition will develop to the
denomination and reelection of Chief
Justice Sullivan. This is the consen-
sus of the public opinion based upon
the fact that there is a statewide
recognition and appreciation of his
marked ability as a jurist, of his
highly judicial temperament and his
thorough knowledge of the courts
rules, procedure and multiplicity of
varied intricacies derived from his
long experience upon the bench to
which is to be attributed the rapid
dispatch of the work upon its cal
ender by the court despite the fact
that of it's three members, two were
inducted into office during the past
year. That there should be at least
one member Of the bench thoroughly
c0nversant with all the many routine
phases of the court and of ripe ex-
perience is very generally conceded.
Strengthening the popular demand
for the retention of Chief Justice
Is also the knowledge that all of his
opinions have been SO stamped with
ability as to be of National comment
and reference, source of pride to the
citizenship of the state, making the
judiciary of Idaho comparable to that
Of any other state, and his rulings
have have been uniformly fair. These
are the strong arguments which are
being made In favor OF Chief Justice
EuIliyan's retention by his friends
who are legion in all parts of the
state, and they appear to be very
impressive. ones in view of the fact
toned as possible aspirants for this
position, all who would likely develop
any preparation of strength as candi-
dates, have made it clear that they
are not to be considered in this light
and have discouraged the idea of op-
position to the Chief Justice, emphas-
izing the fact that his retention is to
the best interest of the state, as
changing the court TO new members
kniirely could not bur tend to cOnfHs
ion, complication and arrested pro-
gress of court procedure.
Nor would ii be an easy matter
to encompass the defeat of the Chief
Justice. His strength is confined to no
part of the State, but is to be found
In all of its sections where he has
steadfast friends of long years stand
ing, who are as loyal to their alleg-
lance as in earlier days. and the
strong impetus given their support
by the general view that his removal
would be in the nature of a calamity
to the state makes it easily under
stood that any candidate opposing
him will enter the contest at toe
great disadvantage. Still more dis
couraging to those who would sue
ceed him and very greatly lessening
the chance of his having opposition
at all is the fact that the State Bar
Ii d unit in it, support Of hin, taking
tne broad and nonpartisan ground
that neither the efficiency of the
state Judiciary nor the progress OF its
work should be sacraficed that some
Individual may attain his purely
personal ambition,
Congressman Addison T. Smith il
now in North Idaho making al
itinerary of that part of the state
with a view to aequainting himseli
with its conditions and the needs anc
desires of it's people in legislative
way. But few members keep in al
close touch with their constituents as
Congressman Smith and "a this fac
III 20 he attributed his extreme
popularity. He may we'll be termed
barometer of Idaho sentiment, for II,
both knows and reflects it. Moreover
that knowledge is not confined t
any particular class or section, bu
to the contrary is a general know
ledge. in brief, complete line upol
what the average citizen thinks AM
ID saving. This knowledge is derives
from personal contact with TN
citizenship of the state without re
8AFu 10 Ci1Sa VI tSSHttoAts = sss ktSt'st-s%
ponbressmah is 10 be foun'
eonfering with his constituents upo
the ranches as Well as in busines
places in the cities and towns. II
is delivering numerous addresses an
/ his present itinerary appears to b
one continued ovation
While in North Idaho, holding tn
regular term of the state suprem
court for the Lewiston division
Justice Bulge very largely extende
his already large circle of friend
and admirers. The newspapers {
that part Of the state are very PR
fuse in their praise of his pleasin
psrsonaIity and his evidenced ahitI
"A jurist. Especially Is the addres
which lie delivered to the student
of the law department Of the sta,
University at. Moscow very highl
commended. AS public speaker, tn
Instica 10 with ont a peer In the stat,