...
public class TabbedPane {
    private int index
    private static final int JEFFERSON_INDEX = 0;
    private static final int ROOSEVELT_INDEX = 1;
    private static final int LINCOLN_INDEX = 2;
    private static final int WASHINGTON_INDEX = 3;

    // methods for determining the current tab
    public boolean isJeffersonCurrent() { return index == JEFFERSON_INDEX; }
    public boolean isRooseveltCurrent() { return index == ROOSEVELT_INDEX; }
    public boolean isLincolnCurrent() { return index == LINCOLN_INDEX; }
    public boolean isWashingtonCurrent() { return index == WASHINGTON_INDEX; }
    ...
}