Page:Back to the Republic.djvu/75

 legislative body in the State, county and city to appoint the judiciary and all other officials.

It is a gross error to provide for the election of judges under any form of government. There is no issue that a candidate for judge can raise in a campaign. The very name of the office means that he is to decide matters in accordance with the law and the evidence.

Our Federal judiciary, which is appointed, has been much better and stronger than it would have been had the Constitution provided for its election. As a proof of this, several States where the judiciary is appointed have a higher grade of judges who do a much better quality of work than is done in States where judges are elected.

Why should an aspirant for attorney general go before the people and discuss the kind of opinions that will be rendered? Opinions should and must be based upon the law and facts.

Why should a candidate for State, county or city treasurer go before the people and discuss the custody of public funds? It is a self-evident proposition that public funds should be accounted for honestly.

Why should a candidate for auditor, clerk or recorder go before the people and discuss how accounts or records will be kept? There is only one way to keep records, and that is accurately.