The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-03-11
TAFT CHARGES GOVERNOR
WITH PARTISANSHIP
Republican Chairman Says Ju-
dicial Appointments Constitute
Challenge to G.. 0. p.

Baltimore Sun of Feb. 81, 1920
Galen L. TAFT, chairman of the Re-
publican State Central Committee,
yesterday gave out a statement
charging Governor Richie with show
ing partisanship in the appointment
of judges. Mr.. TAFT said the Cover
nor's attitude constituted a challenge
to the Republicans, presumably to
nominate candidates against the DEM
ocratic nominees next fall.
In making mention of "recent
Baltimore judicial vacancy" Mr.. TAFT
evidently refers to the appointment of
Eugene O'Dunne, who was named to
the Supreme Bench to fill the place
left vacant by the death of Judge w.
Stuart Symington, Jr.
Says Charge Is INDICATED.
"On behalf of the Republicans"
Mr.. TAFT said, Governor Richie was
recently charged with exercising ex-
traordinary Executive authority,
usurping legislative powers and poll
tically meddling with the judiciary.
"This last charge is vindicated by
the strong protest emanating from
the Bar Association against what was
declared to be a political appointment
to a recent Baltimore judicial vacall-
cy. 1t is hoped the Bar Association
will stand by its convictions, notwith-
standing the letter of mandate to it
from the Governor.
Governor Richie has appointed
eight Baltimore judges to vacancies.
All were Democrats, including those
appointed to three vacancies created
by the death or retirement of Repub-
licans.
''In the Fourth Judicial Circuit Will
liam c. Walsh, Democrat, of Cumber-
land, was defeated for associate Judge
by A. A. Doub, Republican. Governor
Richie then appointed Mr.. Walsh to
fill vacancy and jumped him over
the head of his previous opponent,
Mr.. Doub, making Mr.. Walsh chief
judge of the circuit, thus placing him,
though previously defeated by the
people, as the Governors appointee
in the Court of Appeals. If this is
not politics, what is it?
Calls Appointments Partisan.
"All judicial appointments to
vacancies made by Governor Richie,
both in Baltimore city and the coun-
ties, have been exclusively members
of his party. After being intrenched
as partisans in office, the claim is
made that the judicial elections at
the end of their appointive terms
should be nonpartisan, and all incum-
bents reelected. The result is simply
to rivet in office, with fifteen-year
terms, Governor Ritchie's personal
partisan judicial appointments to va
cancies.
'The natural result of the Cover
nor's policy would be to establish a
one-party State judiciary and Court
of Appeals. Such a court decides
among various important matters, all
legal political questions and election
matters appealed to the higher courts
Challenges G. o. P, He Says.
"The composition of courts car
scarcely be called nonpartisan if the
bipartisan principle be ignored as
Governor Richie has constantly done
''In the face of all these facts now
so plainly emphasized through the
last political appointment, protested
by the Bar Association, it is futile
for Governor Richie and his friends
to utter exalted sentiments about g
nonpartisan judiciary.
Governor Ritchie's whole attitude
toward the judiciary is, therefore, ar
open challenge to the Republicans
The Governor has nailed to the mast
his standard of partisan selection OF
the Maryland judiciary"