THE SALE OF JUDICIAL OFFICES.
By T.
In the years 1894 and 1895 the Lexow Committee, appointed by the New York Senate, spent much time in investigating the political corruption of New York City. Their investigations were largely in the line of the oppressions of the poor and unfortunate by those who held positions in the city government. The report showed a most startlingly corrupt condition of things. At the present time a committee appointed by the New York Legislature, with Mr. Mazet as its chairman, is again investigating the political rule of New York City. They find that the conditions now are even worse than when the Lexow Committee did its work four years ago. But this Mazet Committee is making most of its investigations among the higher officials and leading men of the city, rather than among the poorer ones who have been so sorely oppressed. In speaking upon the subject, the New York World in a recent editorial says:— "Twelve Supreme Court judges were questioned before the Mazet Committee yesterday. Their testimony revealed the fact that each of them, with one exception, had been compelled to pay from $2,000 to $15,000 for his office. The money was demanded and was paid to a political organization in the guise of an 'assessment for campaign expenses.' In fact it was in every case the price exacted for a judicial office, inasmuch as in each case nomination meant election, and the nomination was contingent upon the contribution. "These are startling and very depressing facts. But still more startling and depressing is the attitude of the judges themselves toward this system of selling judgeships. "Judge Patterson, who paid $4,000 or $5,000, thinks that there is no other way of raising the money that must be spent in elections. Judge Gildersleeve, who paid $5,000, thinks a candidate for judge ought to pay something, but that the price to him ought to be reduced somewhat. Judge Giegerich, whose tribute was $5,000, sees 'no way of avoiding' the exaction and payment of such 'contributions.' Judge Scott, whom as a pestilent reformer Tammany taxed to the tune of $9,000, boldly says that in his opinion the judge who has paid for his nomination is freer from obligation than if he had paid nothing. Judge Bischoff, a $10,000 man, agrees with Judge Patterson's views quoted above. Judge McAdam, whose friends gave $10,000 or $15,000 for his place, thinks that the exemption of judicial candidates from such levies 'would be a good thing for the candidate, but a most unfair thing for the party organization.' Judge Dugro, who was taxed $10,000, expressed the opinion that only rich men should be made judges, and that a poor man, if nominated, could 'borrow the money.' Judge Fitzgerald, who got off with $5,000, thinks that if judicial candidates are to be exempt from such levies, all other candidates should be. Judge Beach, who paid $5,000, 'knows' of no reason why a judicial candidate should be relieved of his expenses.' Judge Truax paid $2,000 and approves the system. Judge Beekman alone, who paid $5,000, thinks that 'a law forbidding the collection of campaign expenses from judicial candidates would be a good thing.' Judge MacLean, who paid nothing, declines to express an opinion. "There are cases in which simple statement is the strongest argument. The attitude of mind thus revealed by the eminent judges whom our bosses have put under tribute is a sufficient demonstration of the need of a law absolutely forbidding political assessments upon candidates for judicial office or contributions by them for election purposes." The same paper that contained the foregoing editorial also had the portraits of the twelve judges. No one would pick out a single one of them for a man that was a criminal, or even degraded in any way. Their faces are those that would pass for refined gentlemen anywhere. This makes the picture all the darker. The sense of common justice is so far gone that the most intelligent and refined do not have any scruples in doing things that should fill with horror the mind of one who seeks to do the right. The character of a vast number of the men who hold public positions to-day, is such that they will not be long in wrecking the whole world. There is no possible show for anything else. And when the wreck comes, we should make sure that we are in the haven that our heavenly Father has provided. T.