The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-06
SENATOR cONKlNe FIRST FAvoRITE.
Charles O'Conor, Judge Woodruff, William
n. Evsrts and Judge Curtiss, of
Massachusetts,, Mentioned.
VIEWS OF LYMAN FIREMAN..
The appointment May Safely be Left in the
Hands Of General Grant.

Your correspondent finds many OF the leading
republican LAWYERS here disposed 70 be quite ret-
cent ON the question rs to the best man for the
once Of Chief Justice OF the United States be-
cause OF the apparent indications pointing to Sem
ator Roscoe conkling as the coming man. Two OF
this class stated that they thought Mr.. Conking
too much OF politician to be placed in that high
once. yet they did not want their names men,
toned - expressing such an opinion, fearing 1t
might In some way react injuriously to them,
Judge Isaac Edwards republican,, prominent
lawyer and one OF the professors of the Union Uni
versity Law school,, favors Hon. Roscoe Conkling
for the position OF Chief Justice. He thinks Mr..
Conkling has the character and ability necessary
for the position. He is good lawyer and advo-
cate, and has nad successful practice. ] had the
following conversation with him on the subject -
HERALD REPREsEsrArvE-Many lawyers with
whom have conversed fear that he IL too much OF
. partisan 70 be placed In that high position.
Judge EDwARDs-rhe objection that they were
parsisans could have been made against every
Chief Justice ever appointed Many OF them were
OF pronounced political opinions before accepting
the once, which 10 one OF higher honor and
truer dignity shan that OF President OF the United
States. Chief Justice ysy was . very prominent
actor IN politics and was highly successful rs
Judicial oficcr. HIS successor, Ellsworth. was
also very prominent public man-what we
would now cali an "active politician, Marshall
was . member Of Congress and Q very
able supporter OF the administration OF John Q.
Adams The history OF Mr. Marshali's life shows
he was appointed partly because OF ms signal sup
port OF the Standardization. HIS successor, Chief
Justice Taney, was nominated for q like reason
he was IN efncent supporter OF the administration
Of General Jackson. Therefore I cannot see why
IN earnest supporter or General Grants admins
trstion cannot become . Trustworthy ana reliable
Chief Justice, and more especially when he has the
ability possessed BY Mr.. conking.
VIEWS ov THE HON. LvnAs FIREMAN..
called upon Hon. Lyman Tremain, Congress-
man at large for she state, and succeeded In OBJ
tanning from him his views ON the Chief JUSTICE
ship.
RsroRrER-Mr. Tremain, - the reporter of the
NEW YoRK HERALD, have been comnissioned to
call upon you and ascertain your views In relation
70 the person whom you would desire to see APP
pointed Chief Justice OF the supreme Court OF the
United States and your opinions upon that subject.
Mr.. TRKnAN-weIi Mr.. Reporter. an not aware
that my views possess any special value or public
interest; but a. you or your employers seem 20
terrain different idea, have no objection TO CON-
municate such opinions a. I may now have upon
that point, although, a. have given to the matter
no particular consideration. my opinions must
necessarily be very crude and imperfect what
success may attend the enterprislng efforts OF
the HERALD TO collect the sentimens OF the
Bar upon this subject I have full faith that
the action OF the President In selecting the incum
bent of this high once will be WISE and such as 20
secure general approval. General Grant has taken
abundant time to inform himself upon the merits
OF the several distinguished jurists whose names
would be likely to be mentioned, and with his
sound Judgment. good sense. unquestionable In
tcgrty and the ssgacity he has generally displayed
a. far flo igaf MA
both 10 military and civil Affairs, the whole matter
may safely be suffered to remain IN his HANDS.
ELrGIBLE MEMBERS or TIE NEW yoRK BAR.
Az my acquaintance 10 mainly with such mem
bers OF the Bar who would be capable OF ling that
once with credit rs reside In the State OF New
York, snail connne myself to them.
might mention several names among the Judges
Of our Court OF Appeals, including Its ciearhesded
presiding Judge, who. In my humble opinion. would
adorn the ONCE II the rule OF promotion. how
ever should obtain 1T ell In this case suppose it
would only apply TO the Associate Justices OF the
Supreme Court, and therefore the Judges Of state
Courts would not be likely to be selected Regard
ing the once ~ one that probably would be and
yet need not necessarily be filed by republican.
and bearing In mind the names that have been
already suggested In the newspapers, or among
professional gentlemen. can AZ this moment call 10
mind as among the most prominent the names Of
Roscoe Conkiing Charles O'Conor. William ~
Rvsrrs and Judge Woodruff
SENATOR coSKLNo
undoubtedly enjoys, In o high degree. the conf
dence OF the President. He has been IN the sen
ate and upon the stump tower OF strength 10 this
administration, and II Is not, therefore. strange
that his name should be SO often presented IN
nection with this ONCE. do not hesltste 20 ssy
that. in my opinion, he would make most excel
lent Judge and worthy successor Of the dlstin-
guishcd men who have heretofore held that once.
have heard It said that neither hls experience nor
rank in his profession qualify MIN tor the place. hut
have entire confidence that he would make an
excellent and useful Chef Justice.
HIS QUALIFICATIONS
II In now nearly twenty years since nrsf heard
Mr.. Conking address . jury 81 the Montgomery
Circuit, and was most iavoraby Impressed ~ith
his mode OF arguing q cause. Ne Vas losics.
argumentatve. clear In his statements. forcble IN
the presentation OF his Arguments. and had great
power before the jury. Ne comes RON judicial
stock, his father having been o federal Judge o.
learning and ability. n he had not entered the
political field at an early day and been 80 long IN
Congress do not doubt that ne would have vun
his way TO the foremost rank m the legal proies
sion. His argument before the senate In the ease
OF Caldwell, upon the resolution reported By sena
TOR Norton declaring that Caldwell never had
been elected, was very able and exhaustive. his
age Is very favorable, and, with has strong and
vigorous intellect. combined with an ambition %
make record OF which his country might pot be
ashamed, am satisfied he would understand iuliy
the cases that might be argued before him before
they were decided.
HE xIoHr NOT AccErr.
At the same time, have great doubts whether
he aspires 70 any judicial once. he nA< bright
political future opening before him, snd am m.
cltned to think that his tastes would lead n,m 20
the political and professional rather than the m
dicia field OF usefulness and distinction. nut.
should he be chosen and accept the once, am
convinced that the country Will have no cause to
regret his selection.
Mr.. CHARLES o'coSoR-
Mr.. O'Conor stands. by common consent, now st
1919 ~ fha uari In Saula md 4 hl..I- 4