The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-06-14
In Honor Bound
By J. +. Williams, Jr.


L responsibilities imposed by his exalted office. ~
The voluntary retirement recently of Mr. Justice Van
Devanter vacancy the Supreme Court Of the
United States 1t will be the duty of Mr.. Roosevelt, with
the advice and consent Of the Senate to fill this vacancy
before the Great Tribunal next October.
This the first time since Mr. Roosevelt entered the White
House that he has been called upon to nominate to the
Senate Member of the Supreme Court That he giving
the consideration to the matter be taken
for granted Every President is of the farreachng
importance of this high duty
No less progressive than the late Albert j. Beverage of
Indiana the eminent bographer of Chief Justice Marshall
expressed the Presidential view when he said:
by far the most important duty and power Of the Pres
dent is the appointment of Chief Justice Of the United
States Associate Justices Of the Supreme Court and Of
Judges Of inferior Federal Tribunals For these men are the
interpreters of the Constitution and the laws They hold
office for life they wish and cannot be removed except by
impeachment which only be for indictable offenses
The National Judiciary especially the Supreme Court
is the king bolt of whole American scheme Of republican
government.
Upon the popular confidence in and respect for national
courts depend the stability Of institutions and the
rity Of our rights of person and property
$50 the officials should be picked with infinite care and
with regard only to their fitness and to that alone
Even Federal district and circuit judges should be
learned and experienced publicists well as profound
lawyers.
"And the Chief Justice of the United States and As
socate Justices of Supreme Court should have the
qualities of craftsmanship quite much qualities Of
jurists Of the first rank
ITO appoint or refuse to appoint justices or Judges for
factona reasons place the bench because Of
personal friendship obligation Of any kind is betrayal
of the country and moral crime against the people
For the Senate to confirm such appointments is no less
unworthy
"of the powers duties and pOtenass Of the American
President that Of judicial appointments is his highest
function"
This is the first time since he entered the White
that Mr. Roosevelt has been called upon to exercise this
power and the household of the nation will APP
prove the elaboration with which he is preparing himself
for this task.
is not at all unlikely that before the end of his second
9TH will he
several of the of which advanced in al
though enjoying the moment vigorous health of body
and mind
And before the end of Mr. Roosevets present term there
are certain be many vacancies in the natural Of
in the district and circuit courts of the United
States
In the filling of vacancies in the judicial branch Of the
Federal Government public sentiment has always supported
fearless and conscientious action the part of the
pointing power
In this field President is always in honor bound to
keep himself free from all obligation to parties
For the members the Federal judiciary hold office during
good behavior and by the fruits of their abors President
is judged at the bar Of history.