The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1928-01-12
TO VOTE ON
THREE JUDGES
Other Political Gossip by
Special Writer at the
State Capital

4 MISUNDERSTANDING Ine cOnIllcC IN
the state highway committee dur
ing 1927, the outlook for steady
progress on the state road program
during 1928 is extremely bright.
Of course, there is possibility of
the recurrence Of the old troubles,
but it is much more likely that
harmony will prevail among Gov.
Hartley, Auditor Clausen and
Treas. Potts during the spring
months when the work is allotted
and placed under contract. So, to
this reporter, it looks as if the
committee will manage to put thru
a good program during 1928 which
will probably total close to $10,-
100000.
Within a few days, Preson M.
Troy, Olympia lawyer, will an
nounce himself as candidate for
election to the supreme court. Mr..
Troy is Of the democratic faith,
of the dry wing, and his candidacy
will attract some attention; but the
announcement will be Of more i'm
mediate Importance by directing at
tention to the fact that the voters
will have to fill four vacancies on
The supreme bench. Lawyers and
others interested in a strong. in
telligent judiciary, as well as po
liticians who would prefer a plant
court, have already given thot and
talk 20 the supreme court vacan.
cies and potential candidates; but
Mr.. Troy's entry will remind the
voters that IL is time to think Of
the Judicial elections.
Three justices are ending their
terms and must go to the people
If they wish to continue on the
high court. They are Justice Mark
Fullerton, dean of the bench. who
is beginning his thirtieth year in
the supreme court; Justice Emmett
Parker, Tacoma, who has served
IL years, and Chief Justice Mack
intosh, beginning his 18th year.
Both Mr.. Fullerton and Mr.. Par
ker viii be candidates for reelec-
tion. Mr.. Macintosh will not, but
will soon resign to become a can
didate for the republican nomina-
ton to the United States senate.
His successor, who will be named
by Gov. Hartley, will, however, be
required to seek election.
Justice o. r. Holcomb Will also
have to stand for election. He was
appointed by the governor to fill
the unexpired term of the late JUS
tice j. B.. Bridges.
Because of the factional quarrels
in Olympia, which, in a measure,
have affected feelings toward the
supreme court, it is commonly as
sumed that there will be flock of
candidates. 1t is figured, too, that
the judicial elections will be tinged
by politics more than in former
elections.
Clifford Babcock, Tacoma, head
Of the Tacoma Brotherhood bank
and president of the Washington
State Good Roads association, is
inclined to be candidate for state
treasurer, the office he held dur
ing the regime of Governor Hart:
and his inclination is troubling
Charles Hinton, Olympia, chief as
sistant under Treas. Potts. Mr..
Babcock retired in 1924 because
the constitution limits the treasur-
er to one term at time.
Mr.. Hinton was assistant under
Mr.. Babcock and intended to be a
candidate in 1924, but Senator
Carlyon, Mr.. Hart and others in
cluding Mr.. Babcock, urged him
that he was too young and per-,
suaded him to step aside for Mr..
Potts. Young Hinton was promised
the lieutenancy, which was deliv-
cred; and first place in 1923, which
Mr.. Babcock wants. But Mr.. Hin
ton is not in the mood to step a.
side again and insists that he in
tends to be "the' candidate.
1t is an important office, rank
ing next to that of governor in
many respects. The treasurer is
close to the bankers of the state,
sits on the finance committee. and
has hand in the management Of
the road program by virtue Of be-
ing an ex-officio member Of the
highway committee. This explains
why some bankers and "old guard
good roads enthusiasts are sup
porting the tried and certain Mr..
Babcock in preference to the young
and untried Mr.. Hinton.
While Mr.. Hinton tried to avoid
the factional row, both have al
ways trailed with the Hart-Car-
lyon crowd, so-called, and there
for are not likely to carry the ap-
proval of Mr.. Hartley. So it is a
safe bet that either one will have
Hartley man to beat in the pri-
mary.
Persistent reports reaching