Salt Lake Telegram | 1944-11-16 | Page 6 | A New Judiciary Selection System

A New Judiciary Selection System T THE HE state bar commission has already begun dis discussing a new news s system stem for nonpartisan selection of judges in Utah which a constitutional amendment adopted by the voters at the Nov 7 election permits the state legislature to place in effect The system of electing judges was not changed by the amendment amendment amendment amend amend- ment adoption It simply left it within the power of the legislature legislature legislature legis legis- lature to determine what system should b be adopted in place of the present party election of judges On the whole this seems an excellent way to handle the problem If an all ironclad system were placed in the constitution it might not prove in all respects satisfactory But once a system system system tem is in the constitution it is a difficult matter to change it as our experience in attempting to change the system imposed originally in the Utah constitution proves Leaving the matter up to the legislature will make it relatively easy to make whatever whatever whatever what what- ever changes are deemed desirable from time to time as experience experience experience ex ex- indicates The problem now is to determine the nonpartisan selection system which will be bo at least initially tried Several different methods of selection have been proposed Which system would prove the best we do not k know ow The question should be studied carefully Judiciary sel selection systems used in other states should b be examined Judges and bar associations in these other states should be contacted for their views on good and bad features of these systems Then members of the Utah bar bar- probably with some come key members of the 1945 legislature which will have to tomake tomake tomake make the final decision should make an exhaustive analysis and agree as to the particular method which seems best suited for Utah and then seek to secure wide support of legislators for that plan One point should be remembered Although we want to adopt the best possible system initially in Utah and it should be our earnest endeavor to make it as near perfect as possible the decision which the legislature makes will not be irrevocable If it doesn't work well a future legislature can substitute an entirely different system or remove imperfections which experience experience ence brings to light The important thing is th that t we now have it within our power to remove the selection of our judici judiciary ry from partisan politics That's a a progressive step step and and we want to finish the the job which has been so well begun with passage of the constitutional constitutional constitutional amendment by taking legislative action net next year