The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-04-12
United States Judge Nominated.

United States Judge Nominated.
Tho President on Wednesday sent to the
Senate the name Off Socket Mathews as
Judge Of the United States District Court
for Maryland, in the place Of Judge VIM.
Fell Giles, deceased.
Mr.. Mathews is 55 years of age, and
native of Baltimore city. He has been
prominent leader ofthe Republican party in
this State, and was one of the Lincoln cleo
tors il 1860, but never held any Office until
appointed register 10 bankruptcy by Presi-
dent Grant, upon the passage Of the bank
ruptIaw in 1867. Misrepresentation
ofthe State Republican Central Committee,
position that has recently made him very
conspicuous on account Of disagreements
in the ranks Of the party between the Gus
tom-house faction and the non-ofhceholders.
In these differences Mr.. Mathews has sided
with the Custom-h house, and had the favor
Of that influence in his efforts to obtain
the appointments as judge.
Mr.. Hayes could just as well have made
this appointment in the beginning, for it
was doubtless determined upon as soon as
the vacancy occurred. The delay was
only pretence Of giving respectful cou-
sideration to the applications Of others.
We have no further interest in the matter
than that Of any other citizen, but we can
not help thinking that the appointment is
the most injudicious that could have been
made. 1t Is not claimed that his legal
qualifications are greater than those Of his
competitors, while his most pronounced
partizanship can scarcely be held as re-
commentator to Judicial office. If Mr.
Hayes was at all DESTROYS Of an Opportuni-
ty to pour oil upon the troubled waters Of
factious strife in the Republican party Of
this State, here the opportunity was pre-
sented. The appointment Of some one of
the aspirants from the counties unconneet-
ed with the dominant faction in Baltimore,
would have been the suggestion of wise
and conciliatory policy. But Mr.. Hayes
seems to know and to be determined to
know only the representatives Of that par
ticular class Of Maryland Republicans who
now enjoy all the positions Of honor and
cmolrment accessible to them in the State.
The appointment Of Mr.. Mathews is not
the best that could have been made, and
will not be satisfactory to large majority
Of the people of the State. No man in
the Republican ranks is more obnoxious
to the Democratic party, and large por-
ton Of those Of his own political creed re-
gard him as unfit for positions of high
moral responsibility. Mr.. Mathews has
been, and is, most bitter partisan. He
has been more Of a politician than law
yer, and is very probably better versed in
politics than law. His record is not such
as would encourage the hope that he will
rise above his prejudiecs and become broad
and liberal, and at the same time fair aud
accurate in his views.
Mr.. Hayes, however, has followed the
practice which has been pursued for sew
eral administrations-he has appointed
his political friend. Mr.. Mathews, per-
haps, was the most ardent supporter Of the
Hayes administration 10 the State, and
being strongly endorsed by those who have
mistaken his ability in political tactics for
judicial attachments, Mr.. Hayes elevated
him to life position Of honor, which, if
he ellis aceeptably, will be beyond present
public expectation.
Administrations have become what Mr.
Jefferson predicted mere than half a cen
fury ago-that the party in power would
be the government and the President would
be its Recognized head When Mr.. Hayes
was first inauguratcd he seemed to indi-
cate BY his appointments that the 6ttest
would be chosen, but he has relapsed and
is following the example Of his predcces-
sor. He regards himself the head of the
Republican party, and not the President
OF the whole country. The petitions and
personal applications Of exalted and hon
cradle men Of the opposite party have no
weight in forming his judgement, as Dem
eerais haze no recognition st the White
House. Personally We had no other Ia,
tercst ia she matter than desire to have
aa upright, lAOaorable and qualified man
in the position, who would not, at least,
be obnoxious to any, which cannot be said
Of NJ. Mathews.
Mr.. Mathews appointment had not been
confirmed By the Senate up to the hour Of
going to press, and the news from Wash
ington IS to the effect chat he viii have
harder struggle 70 be confirmed Than he
had 70 get the nomination.