Boston Herald letter, February 22, 2016

Justice Antonin Scalia,
the Originalist, would have been horrified by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s assertion that “the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice” (“Battle is on for Scalia’s replacement,” Feb. 17).

The Constitution provides that a president, elected by electors, shall appoint judges only “with the advice and consent of the Senate,” chosen by state legislatures for six-year terms. The Founders were at some pains to keep the voice of the people out of it.

— Brian R. Merrick,
West Barnstable

The writer is a retired Massachusetts District Court judge.