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Story
September 6, 1885
Savannah Morning News
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Legislative rejection of constitutional amendment for gubernatorial appointment of judges and solicitors; opinion favors it to curb political favoritism and inefficiency in current system.
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The Constitutional amendment Bill.
The very large majority by which the unfavorable report of the Judiciary Committee of the House, on the bill to provide for an amendment to the constitution giving the Governor power to appoint Judges and Solicitors, was adopted seems to indicate that the present system of appointing these officers is popular with the Legislature. It is natural, of course, that the Legislature should want to hold on to all the power which it has, but it may be that the vote on the committee's report was not a fair test of what the sentiment of the Legislature on this subject is.
It is a well-known fact that there is a widespread feeling that the constitution ought to be amended in several very important particulars, and it is possible that the Legislature thinks that it is a much better plan to submit all the needed amendments to the people at one time, instead of submitting one at the next election, and another at the following election, and so on until the constitution is in a satisfactory shape.
There is not much doubt that it would be better from every point of view to give the appointment of Judges and Solicitors to the Governor. It would increase his power somewhat, but there is no reason to doubt that he would use the power wisely. Under the present system, those who are the best at wire-pulling and log-rolling get the offices. A man's fitness for a judgeship or solicitorship is not inquired into very closely. Of course the Legislature appoints some very good and efficient men, but it is liable to appoint a great many very inefficient ones. The system of trading is likely to be carried to too great an extent for the public good. The men who are to be the Judges ought not to be compelled to hang around the lobbies trying to catch this or that member for the purpose of begging him for his vote. If the Governor appointed the Judges and Solicitors the State wouldn't be put to any additional expense. The present system of appointing them must cost the State a good many thousands of dollars.
The very large majority by which the unfavorable report of the Judiciary Committee of the House, on the bill to provide for an amendment to the constitution giving the Governor power to appoint Judges and Solicitors, was adopted seems to indicate that the present system of appointing these officers is popular with the Legislature. It is natural, of course, that the Legislature should want to hold on to all the power which it has, but it may be that the vote on the committee's report was not a fair test of what the sentiment of the Legislature on this subject is.
It is a well-known fact that there is a widespread feeling that the constitution ought to be amended in several very important particulars, and it is possible that the Legislature thinks that it is a much better plan to submit all the needed amendments to the people at one time, instead of submitting one at the next election, and another at the following election, and so on until the constitution is in a satisfactory shape.
There is not much doubt that it would be better from every point of view to give the appointment of Judges and Solicitors to the Governor. It would increase his power somewhat, but there is no reason to doubt that he would use the power wisely. Under the present system, those who are the best at wire-pulling and log-rolling get the offices. A man's fitness for a judgeship or solicitorship is not inquired into very closely. Of course the Legislature appoints some very good and efficient men, but it is liable to appoint a great many very inefficient ones. The system of trading is likely to be carried to too great an extent for the public good. The men who are to be the Judges ought not to be compelled to hang around the lobbies trying to catch this or that member for the purpose of begging him for his vote. If the Governor appointed the Judges and Solicitors the State wouldn't be put to any additional expense. The present system of appointing them must cost the State a good many thousands of dollars.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Constitutional Amendment
Governor Appointment
Judges Solicitors
Legislative System
Political Trading
Story Details
Story Details
The House adopts the Judiciary Committee's unfavorable report on a bill to amend the constitution for Governor appointment of Judges and Solicitors by a large majority, suggesting popularity of the current legislative system despite desires for broader amendments. The piece argues gubernatorial appointments would reduce wire-pulling, improve fitness checks, and avoid inefficiency without added cost.