The Idaho recorder., 1922-11-03
TAKE JUDGESHIP ELECTIONS
OUT OF PARTISAN POLITICS

Good repnbiican democratic government has
uescrioed Dy one OF the best beloved statesmen
Oh the time as that government afording the right
OF every individual to approach it on an equality It
was Illustrated by the further statement that the
individual should be one Of as many dimes living
at an alike as would touch the rim of silver dollar
also lying flat One dime would thus have as much
contact with the dollar as any of the rest-no more
no less.
If that principle is right. with respect to govern
ment in general it is maaifdty right also with the
administration of justice byi the courts of law for
every man, woman and child may have their rights
affected by the action of the courts both as to per-
sonai and also as to property rights.
biased or Drejudiced court would deny one or
both of these rights Such court might have en-
emies 10 punish or friends to reward We have seen
this human fraty too often on the bench 1t was
sought to be minn,ized i'm Idaho i'm the system of
eiecting Judges not as democrats or republicans but
as on-paltIsans, when theif names had to appear
upon seprate ballot with only their high character
and ability to commend them to the suffrages of the
voters. In many states it id overcome by electing
Judges for long terms or fotlife Very many of the
Judges in Idaho until lately were elevated to the
bench without regard to party affiliations at ALL A
republican stronghold as apt as not to select a
democratic lawyer of character to preside i'm its dis
tlct courts OF the bench of the supreme court
OF the state Or take it the other way democratic
district would often as not select republican Judge
or member of the supreme court
Judge William NJ Morgan an idol of the DEM
0cracy was thus elevated to the supreme court when
the state OF Idaho was good deal stronger repubi-
can than it is today. Judge James r. Boutwell,, so
well and favOrably known to the people of Lemh
county from sitting in courts as an alternate
Juris was likewise elected liz republican strong
hold. There have been perhaps as many republicans
chosen Judges in democratic districts if there be any
such districts in this state.
On the other hand, judges selected by the parti-
method within the last few years. ever since the
dominant machine politicians got the strangle hold
on all government in IdahO are of another kind If
they were not of another kind the chances are they
would never have been elevated to the bench at ALL
Special interests swarm around them or and off
the bench. Up in Maine New Hampshire and Yer
mont not long ago notorious character of unsavOry
record in the supreme court had his partisans claim
ing all attention from the visiting Judge when about
to try election contest, when many of the citizens
were robbed of the right to have their votes count
ed the way they were cast. 1t a partisan Judge
who responsible for this miscarriage of justice.
The lawyers who had put him upOn the bench by Sc
curing his appointment by the governor and who got
his practice when he left il present with their
client. Numbers of his partisans were there with
him. The very atmosphere surcharged and reek-
ing with their presence.
But everything goes i'm some courts. In the old
days back east of the Mississippi and it doubtless is
so still. the judges hOnOred far above mere
politicians being invested in their judicial ermine
with the reverence belonging TO the priesthood in
their sacred robes. An old family friend and bOyhOOd
chum of such Judge would invariably touch his
hat as the two met on the street, matter if dOz
en- times aday.
Let us here i'm Idaho elect Judge of this kind and
try how he will do Charles f. Harris is commended
as filling the bill of requirements. He not select
ed on account of his political pull but rather for high
character ability and simple faithfulness in places
where he has been placed before. Vote for Harris.
PLENTY OF COAL HARMONY NINE TO