The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-02

fads, prejudice or political upheavaI As above stated. after the judges whom Kelly sought to impeach had been vim dicated. they were all reelected, not withstanding it is thought that the incident brought about the amendment, of the. constitution abolishing the life tenure.
 In the year 1S41. when the supreme court was composed of Collier, Ormond and Henry Goldthwaite decision was rendered relating to certain cotton transactions with the State Bank which was most unpopular. and brought forth scurrilous attack upon the majority of the court. Collier and Ormond Gold thwaite having dissented. but at the next election they were both re-elect- ed, and Chief Justice Collier was a few years thereafter, elected governor by an almost unanimous vote.
 Again, many of us can recall the po- Iitical upheaval of 1892 which almost amounted to revoiution among the white people of the state. The ccnven. ton plan then existed and a certain faction bolted and put out an oppo- sition ticket which swept nearly every white county in the state. the regular ticket being elected by large majori- ties from the black counties. and which fact no doubt nastened the Con- stitutional Convention for the elimina- ton of a certain class of voters. and which in the end le l to the primary system for the nomination of our of- ficers.
 Yet, this bolting ~action. no doubt representing a majority of the white voters of the state. had confidence in the integrity and ability of Stone Me- Clellan. Coleman. Head and Haralson, the nominees of the organized demo- cracy. and did not oppose them mal1- ing their fight along other lines and against other candidates.
 PRIMARY SYSTEM The result was. that after the ratih- cation of the constitution of 1901, the primary system of nominating officers, including judges was established and has been adhered to ever since. with but one exception-1912 Everyone knows that democratic nomination is equivalent to an election. and that the general election is out a pro forma ratification of the nomination; there fore, in order to meet the spirit, if not the letter, of the constitution, pri- mary election is essential to the selec- tor of judges by the people.
 The voters of Alabama have been and ever will be responsive to the ad- vice and suggestion of the bar as to the selection of judges. and the proper
  their respective counties will always accomplish results. A few letters or postal cards from respectable lawyers to a few of the leading men in each precinct will nearly always insure fla vorable returns. and the lawyers are largely responsible for the nomination of the judges whether by convention or primaries.
 Do not misunderstood me-. I am
 not pleading for q continuation of
 the primary ssytem from q selfish
 standpoint. As an officer, present or prospective. I am supremely i'm different as to the method of selec- ton or the result, ms I have never :.
 felt dependent upon office holding
 for n livelihood, and should the
 people of Alabama see fit to retire
 me either by fl convention or at the
 polls. I will accept the result with
 out murmur.
 specting judge, hold the position if in- :micable to a majority of the lawyers of the state: but any single member of the court is a mere atom when com pared with the perpetuation of sys- tenn which is essential to the preserVa- ton of the integrity and purity of the judiciary: and any judge who holds his commission directly from a major- ity of the unselfish voters of the state is bound to be more independent than one who may owe his nomination to clique or few political leaders who may dominate beat meetings and con- yentions