The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-10-20
NON-PARTISAN JUDICIARY.

In its wisdom the legislature of
Idaho has established a non-partisan
judiciary, or rather has attempted to
place the judiciary of the state on a
partisan basis. We are afraid
that the effort has not been entirely
successful and that it never will be.
By the very nature of things lawyers
who would become judges have al
ready become Republicans, Demo-
)crats, Socialists or Prohibitionists. AS
members of political party they be-
come known to the people at large.
The people cannot entirely forget that
they are voting for Republicans and
Democrats. The candidates them
selves cannot get entirely away from
their former political associates.
Some criticism of Hon. John c. Rice
has come to The Tribune because, it
| is stated, that Mr.. Rice associates with
Democrats; has a Democrat as his
campaign manager; and is the recip-
lent of support as Democrat. The
people of Caldwell and of this section
of Idaho know Mr.. Rice as an Upright
man. They know that he will come as
near to complying with the law in
spirit as any man can do. But what
is Mr.. Rice to do? He has been life
long Democrat. He was a candidate
a few years ago for the Democratic
nomination for governor. Politically
all his acquaintance, associate and
connections are Democratic. When
he gets away from home he must &C
to political and personal friends
These friends are more likely to be
Democrats than Republicans.
The same thing on the other hand
can be said of Judge Dunn. Judge
Dunn has been lifelong Republican
Naturally, away from home, he ha:
become acquainted with Republicans
Naturally in his campaign he will
meet Republicans more frequently ant
ON more friendly footing than Dem
ocrats. What can Judge Dunn do
He must do on one hand exactly thu
same thing as Judge Rice does ON thu
, other.
Judge Rice is a resident of Ca1d
we'll. The writer has known hin
many years and we can truthfully sa.
that we know of no better citizen thai
John c. Rice He is a good man,
, good lawyer and good citizen. o.
the other hand the writer is well &C
quainted with Judge Dunn. He, toe
is an upright man, splendid lawyer
. great judge and most excellen
:, citizen.
The Tribune freely confesses its in
\ clination to support Republican not
withstanding the fact that the jude
= iary is supposed to be non-partisar
= We are subject to the same influence
;. the same predictions and the sam
= associations as the candidates then
selves. We rather suspect that ever
voter in the state is in exactly tn
II same state of mind. The Democra
unconsciously perhaps, leans towar
Judge Rice. The Republican, witho'
Analysing his reasons. leans towaI
. Judge Dunn. The result is that tt
a legislature failed to accomplish i
\ purpose. The judiciary is not take
" out of politics. The candidates, stan'
=. ing perfectly upright in their rect
:, tude, cannot divorce themselves Ell
>. tirely from politics. Years of asst
:, citation cannot be broken in momen
The Tribune has never seen a goo
. reason advanced for taking the jud
Il ciary out of politics. The office
!, political. always has been and alwa.
will be. We do not want partisa
!. courts but we cannot escape fro
, courts composed of men who al
!; members OF political parties.