The New York herald., 1873-10-17
Reverdy Johnson Thinks COnkling
inexperienced.
JUDGE. CURTIS TOO MODEST.
Views Of Judge Paschal and Elk
Z Judge Casey.
Why the South Should Be
Considered.
WASHINGTON. D. G., Oct. Is, 1873.

VIEWS OF REvERDY JOHNSON.
Tne Honoracle Reverdy Johnson arrived at
Wniards on Monday morning and has been In
attendance upon the Supreme Court, before
which ne has practised for so many years that his
interestdn the appointment OF Chief Justice must
be Very'great. called apon him this afternoon at
MS parlors, and found min resting upon lounge
after the iabors Of the ay. He was very courteous
III ms reception, and, seeing that he had been dis
.uroed rom his rest, went at once to the subject
In view, and asked: =
INT. Johnson 70 have doubtless seen that the
HERALD mas been giving of late the views OF promi
nen' lawyers OF the country with regard to the
appointment OF Chief Justice to Ill the vacancy
caused oy the cath OF Judge Chasea'
Mr. JoHNsof Yes, have read the HERALD
every day, an have been much interested in this
subject.
CoRREsPof fpENT-Have you any objection to give
your views anout it9
Mr. JoHf isoN--None whatever-that Is to say, In
genera way. The position is one which requires
Hrca1 40 lsty, fine Judgment, and, above all, great
eXperie ace The Jurisdiction of this Court is, per-
uAps' acre complicated and more extended than
tnato fanny Court in the world.
Oof HEsPoHDENT-Do you notthink that 1t s more
rom pstcated than ever before the history Of
the country .M8 est strrt n
Ir. JoHNsoN-Yes; that is, 1t has been made so
Dy secent decisions OF the Supreme Court. do not
1ieve that the old Court would have had dis
enting voice to q decision that the Legal Tender
ctwas unconstitutional, both as to contracts
esade and to be made. There other questions,
300, which the old Court had not to deal with.
tCoRREsfoNDENT-You have heard the names that
!have been mentioned In this connection have you
Fnotf eti
Mr.. J0HNsoN-Oh, yes I think / have heard
,every one.
CORRESPONDENCE suppose you have your pref.
Mr.. JoHNsoN-I have my preferences OF course,
but4 would decidedly object to expressing them.
All OF US at the Bar are deeply interested in the
subject, but we do not feel that have right to
express individual choice for publication.
CoRRESPoNDENT-Do you tear that the President
will be moved in his appointment by any political
pressure which may be brought to bear upon him
Mr.. JoHNsoN-Oh, no. There has been some talk
about this, but really no serious fear. Some Of us
were soicitous In this regard account OF Conk-
inR's rumored appointment. Conkling Is
aoubtedly o man OF talents and with experience
would in course OF time make very good
Judge. At present he has no experience don't
think he ever made an argument before the Su-
preme Court; at any rate never heard him make
one. But we cannot estimate mans abilities
always before we give him q fair trial. When
Chase was appointed many OF us shook our heads
with grave doubts and predicted for him judicial
failure, but yet you have seen what an eminent
Judge he made and how deeply his loss is felt.
With experience Conkling would doubtless do well.
CoRREsPoNDENT-what do you think Of Judge
Curtis for the positionf
Mr.. JoHNsON-We could not get a better man.
and think the entire Bar are agreed upon this
point. He is man OF the purest character, he has
great ability and he has had all the necessary ex
rpcrience to ut him for the once.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Mr. OConor has been men,
stioned as proper candldate-how would his ap
pointment be receivedP
Mr. JoHNsoN-That ia question that cannot an
.swer only know Mr.. O'Conor's abilities upon gen.
era report. To Judge from this he would do very
well. should think, however, he is almost too old
man to enter upon the duties OF the position; he
must be sixty-fve. However, IL is useless to
name individuals as candidates. II we were
searching for nt men we could easily find them on
the present Supreme Bench. The Bar is simply de-
esirous OF having good man, and we do not fear
the appointment OF an incompetent person.
Finding further conversation, except upon the
general aspect OF the question, useless, thanked
Mr.. johnson for his kind politeness and withdrew
VIEWS OF JUDGE CURTIS.
Judge Benjamin r. Curtis, formerly Associate
Justice OF the United States Supreme Court,
whose name has been very frequently mentioned
IN connection with the appointment OF Chief JUS
tice, Is here on business before the Supreme
Court. Your correspondent called upon him az
MS rooms over the HERALD Bureau to get an ex-
wession OF his views as to who should receive the
q, Wointment. 1t was duty OF great delicacy yet,
I'm owing the simplicity OF manner and candor in
co, wersation OF this eminent jurist, one-haf the
hat tie might be In frankly stating the object
for which 1 called. The Judge was seated in an
easv chair. Numerous printed briefs OF cases OF
maun hude were spread over the table in lawyer
IKE co ufuson. He Is stoutly built man, short in
stature !, with a smooth, round, ruddy face.
sn,rttua glow In his features, which always In
repose. nd an air OF quiet, calm self-possession.
In tbro " of ecclesiastcs he would be singled out
IA n bisho pof q fock.
The rece ption extended your correspondent was
warm and gratifying. Laying aside manuscript
Argument. n asked, .of what service can be to
you to-day'"
CoRnEsposu wHT-I called to talk with you upon
the subject Z Y the Chief Justiceship You are
doubtless ava, e that your name has been men,
toned In this connection, and feel that may
sneak in re,eren ce 70 1t without intruding upon
your private feelh ,gs in the matter.
Judge CuRTrs--l Or the very reason you have
lust mentioned co usider myself barred from ex-
pressing any prefer ence whatever, Tor l do not
think myself compel snt to enlighten the public or
the President as to W. 10 should be the OF
the amented Chief Jus tice Chase. am not can
didate. That you can l wblsh with my fullest con-
sent. The duty resting the President is indeed
very grave one, and we a Strust that when he docs
confer the appointment 1t Will be one well worthy
Of the eminent dignity and treat responsibility OF
the ofce-one which will g I've universal satisfac-
ton and nspre the confidence OF the people OF the
whole country.
I .ooRRKspospENr--you know the President has
.anl he would be glad to hear the views OF men,
bers Of the Bar as to the man. in their opinion best
attea, for the position. The President am as.
sured, would rather read the opinions OF those
practis, ng before the supremeC Court.than confer
with poA ticians on this subject.
Judge Cl RrIs-P1ease except me rom the num-
- -. ~vtu r.oauv racoCnize. I am sure. the