The sun., 1919-08-07
NEWBURGER BACKED
BY CITIZENS UNION
Organization Plans to Take
Aggressive Part in Com
ing Campaign.

Charles f. Murphy's ruthless decision
to refuse to Justice Newburger renom-
nation to the Supreme Court bench in
order that he might give the place to the
son of Samuel Untermyer has drawn the
Citizens Union into an active fight for
the reelection of the Justice. who has
served twenty-nine years on the bench
Determined to fight for the principle
that faithful and efYicient service on the
bench should bring about a renomina-
ton, regardless OF partisan considers
lions, the Citizens Union 10 forming
large committee to cooperate with other
organizations for the election of Justice
Newburger. Not only this, but 1t is con-
sidering entering the general political
fight. to the end that there may be q
proper rebuke to the leadership that
would violate the principle Of q nom
partisan judiciary.
In recent years the Citizens Union
has confined its activities to the prepa-
ration Of a Voters Directory.
william J. Schieffelin, chairman of the
organization. said after meeting Of the
Board Of Directors yesterday:
The Citixens Union proposes to take
an active and aggressive part In the
coming political campaign. There are
principles involved in the contest that
| transcend in Importance the fate of any
| Individual or of any political party. In
defence of these principles the Citizens
Union was organized a score or more
years ago. and for these principles It has
al ways stood. Foremost among the L.
sues presented is the maintenance of the
| Independence of the judiciary from the
selfish Vaccinations of partisan political
bosses.
"A Justice of the supreme court after
serving on the bench with honor and re-
pute for more than a generation. hai
been cashiered politically by the party
to which he belongs on the sinister state
ment that his place was wanted for q
younger man.
The situation presented in this at
tempt to retire Justice Newburger is thu
same as that presented by the attempt
to retire Justice DAILY twenty-one year,
ago. The political organization that ther
sought to accomplish the result IL like
wise the same. 1t 10 for the voters Of
New York who are Justly proud OF theii
courts to see that the attempt is pun
ished In 1919 as II was In 1898.
During the years that have elapsed
since the assault on Justice DAILY party
leaders have appeared to have a whole
some respect for the principle that
good Judge deserved to be retained OF
the pench irrespective OF political con
siderations.
"A campaign committee Of represent
alive men and women from every Dor
ough is now being formed to cooperat
with the bar association and other or
ganizations In administering a rebuke a
the polls to those who have played pol
tiles with the judiciary. The scope o
this committees activities, however. ha
not been fixed or limited. II may fin,
! It necessary to take into consideration
other nominations II It finds that tn
principles for which the Citizens Uniol
has stood have been violated.
Its action will in no way hampe
or interfere with the usual action o
!. the Citizens Union through its Commit
tee on Local Candidates in advocatin
the election or reelection Of 1T candl
! dates for the Legislature. Board O
] Aldermen and other minor local Offices.