The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-06-02
Judges and Politics.

with members o. the judiciary to seek
other political Offices while on the
bench, thus making the bench a step
ping stone TO other political prefer
ment. We also suggested as a re-
ioinder to the Waycross JOurnaIHer-
aid that the Georgia legislature ought
10 enact laws to make It Illegal for
any Judge to become a candidate for
any Office, while serving on the bench,
or during the time for which he was
thus elected. In the United States
senate few days ago. Senator Works,
a very able Republican senator, in
few pertinent remarks on that very
subject came very near expressing our
personal views on that subject Dis
cussing the question OF preparedness.
etc, Senator Works said:
Partisan politics is ruthless in its
demands and invades the most sacred
precincts Of the National government.
1t is seeking place aud pelf and power
wherever and whenever it can find
entrance. Just now IL Is attempting
TO invade the Supreme court OF the
United States. IL is presenting to a
member of that body the greatest
temptation that could be offered to an
American citizen-tos surrender his
place on the bench and become a can
ddate for political Office. This at
tempt TO bring the highest judicial
tribunal OF the country, or any mem
Der Of 1t, into politics should be re-
scented not only by the member to
whom the tempting offer is made but
by the whole country. To my mind
IL is of the gravest Importance that
that great tribunal should be separat-
ed absolutely and forever from poll
tics, candidacy for office, or any in
terest in elections beyond that of the
disinterested and patriotic private cit
izen. II any member of the Supreme
court Is tempted by an offer of a.
nomination as a candidate for the
presidency Of the United States and
refuses the offer because he is JUS
tice of the Supreme court and for
that reason cannot conscientiousIy ac-
cept nomination to political office
or engage in politics. he will have
rendered his country great and last
ing service. II he does that one act
of unsellish patriotism and devotion
to the best interests of his country,
that has so signally honorcd him. 1t
will keep his memory green in the
minds of his countrymen long after
the politicians who thus tempted him
are forgotten. The use of his name
as a candidate Is an offenso to him
and to his country.
Whether Justice Hughes is going
to allow his name to bo used as a
candidate IN political convention is
a matter of profound interest and
grave importance to the American
people Whether one man or another
shall be nominated by that convention
for the office of president OF the
United States Is of but little import.
ance compared with the question of
whether member of the Supreme
court can be used TO advance the in.
terests or secure the success OF any
political party
Senator Thomas, of Colorado, in
commenting upon the remarks of Sen.
ator Works, made the following OBJ.
servations;
Il was very much impressed with
the remarks of the Senator from Cali.
fernia (Mr. Works. lust delivered
and particularly so with that portion
&C his address regarding the associa.
ton of the name of one of our most
distinguished members of the Supreme
bench with presidential nomination.
think, Mr., President, every com.
ment OF the senator on that subjee,
is unanswerable. And the lesson he
would teach is one that should ap.
ply not only 20 the national but TO the
state courts.
II was reminded OF the Importance
and the need Of this, and by the sen.
ators discussion, that in one OF the