The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-02-03
ANENT THE CIRCUIT JUDGESHIP.

The rawest deal of arrogance
and self puffery that ever W a
dished up to a much enduring pub
lie was that published in the Two Riv-
ers Chronicle of last week. 1t was in
serted by Municipal Judge Albert
Schmidt, the holder of one Office and
grabber after another. 1t was written
by Albert in behalf of Albert, to ad'
vance Alberts candidacy as circuit
Judge. 1t eulogized Albert to the
skies.
So far as the writer is able to ascer-
tain, Albert's opinion of the fitness OF
Albert for the high judicial position be
seeks, does not appear to be shared to
any great extent by those who know
him best. Perhaps this is the reason
why Albert sought to enlighten the
general public on Albert's gceat quail
tications. Albert appears to base his
bid for the office of Judge of this judi
cial circuit upon his statement that
when in New York and some other
places, he wss invited to sit on the
bench beside the trial Judge; mere
matter of courtesy shown to any visit
or who holds judicial office. 1t was a
mere act of politeness of which no man
not pulled by inordinate self conceit,
would take any notice, much less make
it the basis of evidence of special fitness
for much higher position.
Heretofore, it has been considered
that some knowledge of the laws and
rules of practice governing the circuit
courts of Wisconsin was requisite in
any candidate for the Office of circuit
Judge. Such knowledge is generally
attained by years Of practice in that
court. Familiarity with such laws and
rules, and readiness in their application
can be obtained in no other way. De-
cisons on questions of practice relat-
ing to striking Of juries, admission or
rejection of testimony, motions TO dis
miss actious for causes arising at the
trial, must all be decided instanter by
trial Judge.
What fitness has Albert in these re-
spects? There is no information on
these requisites to be found in Albert 5
labored and pompous essay on Albert
Why was nothing said about Albert's 5
standing as skillful and competeDt
Trial lawyer, st the circuit bar? Why
are we not told some thing of his learn
lng ia yne iAa, a, e iIenoeu Us h,s aa-
merous successful appeals to the su-
preme court, from decisions at the cir
cult? Has he nothing OF this to re-
port?
The real truth is that MP. Schmdt's
experience in legal practice is almost
nothing. There are more than score
OF lawyers practcing at the bars of
Sheboygan and Mantowoc counties,
any one of whom is better equipped
educationally and temperamentally,
than he. Not one of them is candi-
date for the Ctlice. All have signified
desire that Judge kirwan retain the
place. Not single one has intimated
any desire TO displace him. After sew
enteen years of practice before him,
they have absolute faith in his know
ledge OF the law, in his absolute fair
ness, in his sense of justice and con-
scientous integrity. They may have
felt at times that he has been mistaken
in his views of the law, they never
have had occas on to feel that he has
been partial or one sided in his treat
ment of their case. They know that
if defeated in any case before him, and
desire to review his decision of any
question on appeal, the record will be
so correctly made and certified that
it will give every opportunity for
correction of the error, should one
have been made. That is all that any
practicng lawyer worthy OF the name
will ask.
With Judge of that character al
ready on the bench why should any
change be made in favor of new and
untred man? And specially one who
would publish over his own name such
an sgglomeration of self-putlery and
pomposity as the article published in
the Chronicle. If any demonstration
of the unfitness of Mr.. Schmidt was
needed, he has furnished it himself in
that communication.
A VOTER.