The New York herald., 1873-10-07
Views and Opinions Of the
Bench in Chicago.
The Various Candidates Of the
Leading Jurists.
EvARTs BEFORE CONKLING.
General Agreement as to the Fitness Of tho
Knight Of Geneva.

The Bench Is not the best field for an interviewer.
but the HERALD correspondent has elected the fol-
lowing expressions OF opinion on the Chief Justice
ship from some ofthe judges OF this county.
Judge Joseph E. Gary OF the Superior Court, Ia
recognized as being one OF the most, II not the
most Independent gentleman on the Bench. The
HERALD correspondent approached Judge Gary
while that functionary was reading 1le Of evil
dence on the bench. This was about the only
chance that could be got OF talking to him.
He said:-"Eh2 From the HERALD9 Very well.
What did you wish to say, sir ~
CORRESPONDENCE wished to ask your views con-
cerning the federal Chief Justiceship.
Judge GARY-The opinion Of Judge Of the
Superior Court OF Cook county don's count for
anything with President Grant. I don't believe 1t
to pin in his estimation. 1t is, OF course,
the duty OF every citizen to be interested in the
Chief Justeeshlp, but believe me, the opinions OF
all our Judges VIII have no weight whatever with
General Grant. He will be guided by his own pecu-
liar policy. In any case as State Judges, we have
no connection with the appointment; 1t only inter-
ests US as private citizens. g1t
CoRREsPoNDENT-Have you any choice in the
matter2
Judge GARY-I have not; and If I had, as I told
you, twouldn't make the difference OF hair at
Washington.
JUDGE JAMESON.
Another eminent lawyer and much respected
jurst is Judge Jameson, also OF the Superior Court
This gentleman has had very bad health for some
time, and had only just returned from Vermont
when your correspondents met him. Judge jane
son is very genial. and greeted the HERALD man In
way that showed he was very lar from being in
chned to reticencc he said, In reply to some
'Ah, yes 1 have seen that the HERALD has been
stirring up this whole subject OF the Chief Justice
ship There are very very many prominent % tine men men men;
be considered political one. 1t Is position that
requires eminent judicial ability, and none but
once therefore, while considering the question,
have always been OF opinion that one o. the
should be seiected-Judge'sw for example,"
CoREEsroEDSST@n % you W. were e,to. to 50 outside OF
% Judge can think seIos no better man on
earth than Mr.. William M. Evarts, OF New York,
whose name has e been see r, II s
should not give very salts IT These
proved upon as regards single mIndedness and
first class ability. Judge Drummond OF the United
States Circuit here, would be my next choice. He
tration.
The correspondent then had q talk with Judge
Lambert Free, OF the Circuit Court, very urbane,
high-minded and popular gentleman Judge Free,
recognized as among the ablest OF that body, and
he is certainly, one OF the most courteous Jursta
has ever ea case @ yaae sIsea ~
preached to interview him. The Judge immedi.
ately entered upon the subject with an interest
that showed him to be an industrious reader OF
the HERALD He said This matter of the
Chief Justiceship deserves much thorough
consideration and, for that reason the HERALD has
been doing right good and patriotic service in ag
tatng the matter. There is nothing, after all, like
newspaper agitation to develop public sentiment.
think that OF all the candidates mentioned Mr..
William N. Evarts is undoubtedly the most fitting.
| or course speak Of him irrespective OF consider
| ing the appointment OF one Of the Supreme Court
Judges, which, fear, is not probable. Mr. Evarts
saying. altogether disassociated from politics.
CoRREsPoNDENr-Is Mr. Evarts suf1cienty
Judge FREE-He has, irrespective of his long
forensic training, natural tact and ability, and
would adorn the Supreme bench. 1t is true that
he has some OF the elements OF good advocate,
but not to such an extent as that great forensic
CoRREspoNDkNr-Have you thought about Mr.
Roscoe Conking in connection with this matterf
and an able one, but the objection OF partisanship
applies to him as 1t does to Mr.. O'Conor-worse,
ne Is be as act Of
GosREsPoNDENT-And Matt Carpenters
Judge FREE Qaughing) -Oh, Carpenter has got
prudent lately. He is, indeed, a very hne lawyer,
a' sDssssa ana dons EGSsns Enow s
!Sss gsss .l him o,S,.r good title % the .s
whatever General Grant Could not possibly make
| Q greater mistake than TO appoint him. Inc
country would not fail to resent M IL cionS NOW 'na' MI
JUDGE HENRY BOOTH.
Judge Henry Booth, OF the Circuit Court, is quite
favor1te in Chicago, and has long been the guild
ing lignt OF the Legal Academy Of this city In re.
sMy duties on the bench have prevented me
from paying very close attention to the agitation
OF the Chief Justiceship. / think, however, that
Mr.. Evarts Is the very best man the President
could select have known him since boyhood,
and believe him to be a man OF great ability and
unblemished reputation.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Wha would you think of Sem
ator Roscoe Conkling for that o.1ceS
Judge BooTH-Mr. Conkling Is an able man in his
way; but 1t would be an object with the Executive
to keep an ofice SO important apart from the
picion OF politics. After Mr.. Evarts, most cer-
tainly should say Judge Drummond, OF the United
States Circuit Court here. He is an eminent jurist
and would I'LL the place Of the late Chief Justice
with credit to himself and honor to this nation.
Still, 1t Is most likely that an Eastern man will be
appointed, and II SO, hope 1t will be Mr. Evarts.
pnTrTICAI. ASsESSMEMwg