The New York herald., 1873-09-17
OPINIONS OF WASHINGTON LAWYERS.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 1873,


Views OF Judge James Hughes.
Your correspondent called Judge James
Hughes at his ONCE. waiting a few minutes until
ne had laid down the law for of his clients the
Judge, as soon as he had despa tched his business
sat down at his private desk and said he was willing
to add his opinion to those OF the members OF the
Bar who had already expressed their views upon
the ttest Chief Justice OF the United States
Supreme Court. The Judge was for many years
democratic Representative from Indiana. and dur.
ing Buchanan's administration was Commissioner
of the General Land ONCE. He belongs to the old
school of democracy, and still holds fast to the
bunker principles
CoRREspoNDENT-The HERALD, you know, Judge,
is gathering the opinions OF the leading lawyers OF
of the country as to the proper means to fill the
Office Of Chief Justice OF the United States and to
be the head OF the profession in the world. would
be glad to report the expression OF your views upon
the subject.
Judge HuGHss-why, the matter is already set
tled Roscoe Conkling is the man, l am certain OF
that.
CORRESPONDENT i have heard similar opinion
expressed by many others but
Judge HUdHEs-Oh, it Is certainty now The
pegs are fixed. I am gentleman who Is fully IN
the confidence Of the President, and have his
word for it that the matter is settled finally and Mr.
lent Chief Justice.
CORRESPONDENCE do you think Judge, is the
man. OF all others in the Union, fitted for the
place-the one who would be Chief Justice, ii. as
the Know-Nothings used to phrase it, "the office
sought the man, and not the man the once
Judge HUGHEs-ln the universal opinion OF the
Bar Judge Curtis stands at the head OF the profess
sion. and, legal ability and professional standing
furnishing the criterion, he has the legitimate title
TO the position; but the matter as / have told
yon, is already settled, and Conkling will be the
q mr. a In a
man, and IN few years will develop into most
excellent Chief Justice.
been too deeply Immersed IN politics all his life to
make q good Chief Justice.
Judge HUGHEs-Oh. no Conkling is an eminent
lawyer and an able man. and ne VIII give satlsfac.
ton. HIS right OF succession to the supreme Court
was settled ye years ago lie would nave been been
New York, but at that time he was Ineligible. But
ne is now eligible, and 1t Will be but carving out
foregone conclusion to appoint him. There was
some talk oil Chief Justice Cartier OF the District
Supreme Court.
CORRESPONDENTS was going to ask you about
Judge HUGHEs-Well, Cartier has some very firm
friends and he has also some capacities which dt
him eminently for the station but as l under
stand the drift OF the articles already printed In
the HERALD, the object In canvasslng this matter
among lawyers IS TO ascertain what the sentlment
OF the Bar OF the country Is as to the choice that
should be made. AS said before, Conk!ing will De
ms forehead All talk now is after the feast. The
HERALD may inform the intelligence Of General
''euv Va ehc oplulOnS OF every lawyer III
country, but it Will all end in the nomination OF
Conkling, and good man he is
IL was useless to discuss argue the question
any iurther AS one OF the Bar, practising exten-
Evey before the supreme Court, Judge Hughes
already sees the Chesterfield OF the Senate the
central figure in the group OF nine members of the
Supreme Bench, robed In his flowing black gown,
and listening TO prosy arguments on some iinpor.
tant question involving great constitutional prin-
ciples. The Judge assured and rcassured me that
Conkling was the coming man. and dd not quality
the Information with "but or an CIV 80 the
least ! could do was to heartily thank him for
his Kindness and thereupon bowed myself out or
LIS Oficc
General Henklc, Ex-Attorney General or
Ohio, on the Question.
Your correspondent also called on General Solo,
mon S. HcnkIe, who is democrat and was at one
time Attorney General OF Ohio.
CoRREsPoNpKST-I have called to talk over With