The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-02-10
THE COMING JUDICIAL ELECTION.


What was believed to be highly i'm
probable has actually come to pass aud
Judge Kirwan is really to have opposi-
tion to his reelection as circuit Judge.
That such is the case seems most un'
fortunate, unjust and unusual.
From his entry into public life over
forty years ago Michael Klrwan has
been a most faithful, Industrious, pains.
taking and able servant OF the people.
1t is to be remembered now how as
county superintendent OF schools al
though comparatively youth then, he
took hold of the common school system
OF this county, then in a chaotic condi'
tion, and by his great toll reduced it TO
efficiency and turned over to his sue
cessors in Office a redeemed system. 1t
was the good faith of the man.
1t should be remembered now how
when he came into the office of county
Judge and found the records and files in
a deplorable state he caused commit
tee to be appointed to assist him and he
with them went through the OLD musty
records from top to bottom and caused
all papers to be filed, which were not
but should have been filed, and all rec
ords to be completed and completely
renovated the office and thereby placed
it likewise on systematic basis for
his successors in Office and for the peo-
pie for all coming time. 1t took enor
nous labor and good faith to do it. He
did not do all the work, he could not,
but he ordained it.
These things are not known by hun
dreds of the newer generation, but
they are knorn. 1t was the good faith
and industry of the man. 1t was a
good and necessary thing done then by
the competent, faithful and conscienti-
Gus Michael Kirwan and it will inure
to the benefit of the people immeasur-
ably.
While a teacher in The public schools
this same devotion to duty, this same
efficiency and this same character were
there.
But in a short article it seems not
possible to do more than make brief
mention OF the preliminary career Of
OF Michael Kirwan.
The following editorial is taken from
Die Wahrheit, German newspaper
published in this city:
An interesting campaign for the Cir,
cuit nench in this distrr' ir vol Nm
der way. Hon. Michael Kirwan's con-
tinued incumbency is challenged by
Hon. Albert II. Schmidt. 1t is the
prerogative of youth to be ambitious
and we suppose that every man has a
right, without being open to proper
criticism, 10 offer himself for the votes
of his fellow citizens. However, 1t
would have been wise thing for Mr..
Schmidt 10 have curbed his aspirations
until vacancy existed, He has twice,
in his elections to the municipal bench
strongly urged upon the electors the
importance of the principle Of re-elect-
ing satisfactory sitting Judge. This
was good doctrine then and it is now.
Our Judges should be permitted to
give attention to the administration ut
Justice uninfluenced by thoughts of
appealing for votes. 1t is important
that Judge should feel that the peo.
pie will continue him in office as long
as he discloses ability, character and
industry in his work on the bench. It
will be an evil day when our judge
ships become things to be passed
around to our friends or to crafty the
ambitions of young men
We have been fortunate in our Cir
cult judges. Our present judge has
commanded the admiration of the en-
tire state for lealnings zeal, industry
and brightness. His court room has
been sanctuary for justice. His little
leaning toward sterness with both
culprits and the lawyers has been
wholesome. He has made the law and
its administration respected. He has
enforced the German doctrine of re.
spect for lawfully constituted author
ity. He has been an ideal Judge.
Now, in the zenith of his powers, at
the age of 6S, land this statement of
age is correct, when he is again in
good health and fit for many years of
intellectual labors, we are asked to re-
tire him to make way for younger
man. AS friend Of Judge Schmidt
we deplore his candidacy. 1t is i'll
timed. We American citizens of Ger
man origin in this judicial circuit have
fine opportunity to demonstrate the
truth of what we SO often assert, that
we place our citizenship first. There
is no demand for opposition to Judge
Kirwan on such grounds. In his court
room he knows no race or creed, moth
ing but the law. Let us demonstrate
that at q judicial election, we apprec-
and will reward conspicuous ability and
fidelity to principle. Let us return
the sitting judge.
POLITICS AND THE JUDGESHIP.