New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-05
Judicial Candidates

state are fortunate this year IN the
superior character Of the judicial
candidates for places in our highest
courts. All Of those nominated by
the Republicans and ProgressiveS
for the Court Of Appeals and the
Supreme Court have especially fine
records. and there is good reason for
the election Of every one Of them.
The Tribune has more than once
emphasized the fact that the promo
ton of Judge Hiscock from the posi-
ton of associate judge of the Court
Of Appeals TO that of chief judge
would. because of his long and sue
cessful experience in that court, pro-
mote the efficiency Of that tribunal
far more than would the election to
such office of the opposing candi-
date. Presiding Justice jerks of the
Appellate Division in the Second De
partment. The friends Of Judge
jerks have urged in reply that he
should be elected TO give New York
CITY larger representation in the
highest state court. We think that
if the argument Of locality repre-
sentation is ever good in judicial
elections. it has no applicability to
the choice Of the chief judge Of the
Court of Appeals. The record which
the people have made for more than
thirty years of selecting for this
place only a Judge who has served
long. ably and satisfactorily in the
same court should not now be
broken.
There are equally good reasons
why Mr.. Justice Cuthbert W. Pound
should be elected an associate Judge
of the Court of Appeals. If the
Democrats were sincere in their plea
for larger representation in the
Court Of Appeals from New York
City, this is the position for which
they should have nominated a New
York lawyer or judge. Even then
il would have been necessary to
name candidate Of remarkably
high qualifications TO make his cleo
ton as desirable as that Of the Re
publican nominee. Judge Pound has
not only proved an excellent justice
Of the Supreme Court since his cleo
ton. i'm 1906, but for more than a
wear has rendered similar judicial
service in the Court of Appeals. At
a recent meeting of the Bar Associa-
ton of this city the report of its
judiciary committee was unanimous
~ adopted approving and indorslng
Justice Pounds candidacy, and add
ing: His judicial services have been
eminenty satisfactory to the pro-
fession and the community, and he
has shown exceptional qualification
for judicial Office
Against Justice Pound the Dem
ocrats did not nominate New York
Judge or even a New York lawyer,
but Mr.. John T. Norton, Of Troy,
who has considerable local reputa-
ton as a successful trial lawyer.
But Mr.. Norton has had no judicial
experience; and the impartial and
non-partisan judiciary committee of
the New York Bar Association,
while recognizing Mr.. Norton's high
standing as a trial lawyer, is COM
PEELED to add. "Your committee,
however, is unable TO certify that in
its opinion his professional career
has shown unmistakable fitness and
qualification for such an important
judicial Office as that Of judge of the
Court Of Appeals" The best public
interests call for the election Of JUS
tice Pound.
In New York City and County the
voters have the opportunity to elect
Enthusiastically good candidates 10 the
Supreme Court. IL is gratifying
that for one Of the three places the
Republicans, Democrats and Pro-
gressives have united in renominat-
ing for another full term Mr.. Jus
tice Vernon VI. Davis. now sitting
in the Appellate Division. IL is sell
dom that the distinction Of such a
nomination and reelection without
opposition is so deservedly conferred.
Mr.. Justice Davis has been one Of
our best judges.
The Republicans have also renom-
mated Justices John c. Clark and
George V. Mullan. who have been
serving in the Supreme Court for
the last year Both Of them rem
dered noteworthy public services
before they went upon the bench, and
as judges they have proved the pos
session Of admirable judicial quail
ties. Justices Davis, Clark and Null
Ian have the hearty approval of the
Bar Association.
The Democrats have also nomi-
mated former Assistant Corporation