The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1922-06-16
A GOOD START-BUT SLOW.

The appointment OF WIN. n. Bar
rett as United States District Judge
for the Southern District of Georgia
deservedly meets with unanimous
approval. Notwithstanding the ap-
pointing power is republican the new
Judge is lifelong democrat. 1t is
stated by Senator Harris, of Georgia,
that the appointment is non-partisan.
Mr.. Barrett, we believe, was ap-
pointed to the federal bench by Pres
ident Harding because he was the
best fitted man for the Office amongst
the persons proposed.
And this reminds US that some
years ago there was vacancy on
the federal bench in this state. Mr..
Taft, now Chief Justice Taft, was
President and had the appointing
power. Mr.. Taft was a republican
and there were lawyers in South Car
olina who were republicans who were
admittedly competent to fill the posi-
ton. A good many people expected
him to appoint one of these, but Mr..
Taft said in effect that in the matter
of appointments to the bench poll
tics was not considered, and the ques-
ton alone "before the court" was
one of fitness, Mr.. Taft appointed one
of the most distinguished, if not the
most distinguished lawyer at the bar
Of the state to the position.
We are not informed whether Mr..
Wilson during the eight years he
was president ever appointed re-
publican to the bench. Perhaps the
democrats were so well qualified al
ways that they secured the appoint
ments. But however that may be
President Taft and President Hard
ing have set an example which other
presidents may follow with profit to
the country and with credit to their
own good sense. The bench cannot
be made the target of criticism more
easily in any other way than by the
appointment of partisans to positions
which should be held by men who are
above partisanship, and who do not
seek Office as partisans.
But why may we ask should Presi-
dent Taft and President Harding
seek the best men for the positions
when they come to make appoint
ments to the bench and not do the
same thing with regard to the ap-
pointment of distinct attorneys, Uni
ted States marshals, postmasters, etc?
1t is true that the federal judge holds
his position for life and the wrong
man on the bench is a terrible in
Fiction on the people, but is it worse
than district attorney, if such
there be, who is not competent to
prosecute cases properly and who
cannot fill the Office properly to which
he is appointed? Is a poor Judge any
worse than a United States Marshal
who does not do his duty, and who
is not interested in doing his duty?
The postmaster of the village comes
in. contact with everybody who lives
there. Why should worthy men of
the village whose people are to be
served be passed by in order that the
Office may be given to a partisan,
whether the appointment be of a
democrat or a republican.
We speak impersonally in these
matters and without criticising or
finding fault with present officers.
Some of them are excellent men, en-
tirely capable of filling the positions
to which they are appointed. But it
is fact that they owe their appoint
ments to their politics rather than
to their fitness, we believe. The same
would be true if Mr.. Jimmie" Cox
had been elected president instead of
Mr.. Harding. It is all a rotten game
of helping the man who helps you. It
runs something like this:
"Whose bread I eat
His song I sing"
But it is at least encouraging that
a first step has been made towards
the selection of fit men for Office be-
cause they are fit. Perhaps we shall