The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-04-30

THE Philadelphia Times Of Friday I
last contained a somewhat elaborate and (
well-written biographical sketch of
Judge jeremiah 5. Black, from the pen
of W. L. Hensel, Esq, of the Lancaster
Tatelligcncer. Here where Judge Black
at the commencement of his professional
career was q regular visitor during court
weeks, and where he is specially remem-
bered by many of cur citizens for a
speech he delivered in the Court House
in 1898, during the memorable campaign
between Porter and Ritner. Mr.. Hensel's
article is properly appreciated as be-
coming tribute to q most remarkable
man-one of the intellectual giants of
his day and generation. Mr.. HenSel
falls into an error, however, in saying
that James Y. McLanahan, who was
Democratic member of the State Senate
in 1912, when Gov. Porter appointed
Judge Black to The President Judgeship
of the Somerset, Bedford and Franklin
district, was a citizen of Somerset county.
He represented the Cumberland and
Franklin district and resided in Cham
bersburg. He was a man of command
ing and elegant personal appearance. as
well as a forcible and eloquent speaker.
He died in New York, to which city he
removed soon after the close of his Sen
atoTial term.
The writer of this happened to be at
Harrisburg when Judge Black came
there, much against his own wish as he
declared, to have an interview with
Gov. Porter on the subject of his ap-
pointment. lie said he had no faith in
his success against Frederick Smith, of
ChambeTsburg, his most formidable
competitor, who was good lawyer and
willy politician. Black freely admitted
that in the matter Of politics he himself
was a perfect novice, and protested that
he could not and would not personally
press his own claims, if he had any, on
the Governor. When he went to the
Governors residence he requested the
writer to accompany him and say "a
modest word' in his behalf At the
interview Judge B. only alluded to the
judgeship in an incidental way, but the
Governor talked about it freely, though
Of course without committing himself.
Judge B. left for his home the following
day without any well grounded hope
that the judgeship was in reserve for
' him. Job Mann. Of Bedford, was State
. Treasurer at the time, and strong feel
him and Gov. Porter Mr.. Mann was
. very anxious for Judge b. 5 appointment
and said to him before he left Harris
burg that he had no doubt about it. al
though Judge B. himself was still in
. credulous. In his own quiet, but effec-
tive way, Job Mann pushed the claims
of Judge b, and in a very short time
Gov. Porter ended the controversy by
sending his name to the Senate.
Mr.. UenseI is also in error in saying of
Judge Black: He has never held any
office. and certainly never sought any,
save in the strict line of his profession. -
In 1913. after the death of Francis II.
Skunk, Judge Il. became a can ndidate
for Governor and conducted quite a Wig
OrOus campaign up to the meeting of
the State convention, when the momina-
tioE was unwisely given to Morris Long
streth, who was defeated by VIM. F.
Johnston. Judge Black had good rea-
son to believe he would be nominated,
and it was rare treat to hear him af-
forwards describe in his own injmitable
way. the trickery and lying thatwere re-
sorted to during the night preceding the
convention to bring about his defeat.
He summed it all up by saying that al
though David r. Porter was reputed to
be the best political manager in the
state, Morris Lougstrcth in manipulate
ing a State Convention could buy and
sell him Porter ever and over again,
and he would never know it."