The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-02-24
PLAYING POLITICS
Some Surprising Juggling Under Way
BY the Democrats In Ju-
diciaI Districts,
Lexington I.caderl

the state is being quite openly shown
in the bills now before the General
Assembly to change some of the legis-
lative districts of the state. Under the
law a judicial district once created,
may not be changed except for the
creation of a new district by reason
of the increase of court business
which makes new district neces-
sary.
This condition has been made the
excuse for some surprising juggling
with the states judicial districts, In
which. II all reports are true, the OBJ
icct is anything but the facilitation OF
the business of the courts affected
The bill which has attracted the
greatest interest, and which has al
ready passed the Senate, is the one to
create a new district composed of the
counties of Wolfe, Morgan and Ma
coffin. The charge is made by promi-
nent Democrats in the counties affect
ID that the measure is simply lame
duck" proposition proposed for the
benefit of Judge ID. W. Gardner, who
was defeated i'm November by Judge
A. T. Patrick. a Republican. The sal
airy Of Circuit Judges is $4,000 per
year, and with so attractive a salary
attached to the office, the chief sur
prise is that attempts have not been
made to create twice as many districts
as there are.
Would Force Two Judges To Move.
The Gardner bill, as it is popularity
called in the Legislature, would force
two of the present Circuit Judges to
move out of their home counties, and
take up new residence in tho counties
left in the district. giving to Judge
Gardner charge of the court in. his
home county, although in the last cleo
ton the people declined to reseat him
jy a majority for his opponent of over
LOO votes.
II the proposed bill passes it will
compel Judge Patrick to move out of
Magofiin county. and it will also CO.
pell Judge Allen ~ Cisco, who defeat
ed Judge Redwine for Judge of tho
Thirty second district, to move out of
his home county of Morgan, and turn
L over to the judge of the new district.
Judge Cisco has been quoted as say
ING that so far as the new bill serves
any purpose in facilitating court bust
ness, the state might as well throw
81, 200 i'm the river. 1t should be said
to the credit of the Republicans in the
Legislature that, while the proposed
new bill will eventually increase Re
publican strength in the mountain dis
tricts. they oppose the present bill be-
cause of its obvious uselessness eX-
cept as a political gift to Judge Gard
ner
HutChcraft Has Some Plans, Too.
There was also introduced last
week a bill by Representative Hutch
craft OF Paris, which bears the same
earmarks of political Interference inI
the operation of the courts. MIR
Hutchcraft was an active opponent OF
the candidacy of Judge Robert Stout
in his race for denomination and sup
ported Hon. Emmett Dickson of Paris
He is also an attorney, practicing in
Judge Stout's court In his three
fold capacity, a lawmaker, a lawyer
and politician, Mr.. Hutchcraft is seek.
ing to remove Bourbon county from
Judge Stout's district and tie it with |
Judge Shacklefords district, which is |
now composed of the counties OF
Clark Estill. Madison and Jessamine
To meet the necessary requirement
hat judicial districts can not be
changed except for the creation of a
new district, the Hutchcraft bill makes
changes right and left through east
arn and southeastern Kentucky, wind
ng up with a new district to be com
posed of Breathitt, Wolfe and Morgan
While this would leave Judge Patrick
in MagoiTin county y
would still make Judge Cisco pack
up and move out of Morgan, and would
likewise compel Judge NJ, b. Adams.
recently elected on the Republican
ticket. to move out of Breathitt coun
y, where is reports are true, his pres
nee and influence are greatly in de
nand by peace loving people OF both
PARTIES
RcarrangeS Several Districts.
The Hutchcraft scheme besides ere
iting the Thirty-siXth district rear
anger the Fourteenth. Twenty-third
'wenty-flfth, Twenty-seventh and
Thirty-fourth districts as follows:
Fourteenth - Franklin, Scott and
NOodford
Twenty-third-Lee, Estill, Powell
nd Jackson.