In the process of upholding New York's oft-criticized method of selecting state judges, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the rights of political parties to pick their candidates with little input from voters. Yesterday's ruling is a boon to the leaders of the county Democratic organizations in New York City, leaving them with one of their last remaining patronage powers: a strong degree of influence in selecting state judges. A coda to the state's century-old debate over how best to pick judges, the unanimous court decision will stymie legislative efforts to amend the unusual system of party conventions by which New...