New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-25


OF modest size ontidc OF the street door. The Office
is on the thlrd floor. Tho door, on the glass OF
which was painted: >" Law ONCE: Roscoe COnK-
ling was locked.
PRESS COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENT.
ABOVE THE AVERAGE JUDGE.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 24.-Commcnting on the
nomination of ex-senator Roscoe COnklng as Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court, The Sun independently
will sag morning: It must De said in his be-
half that although not possessed OF judicial temper or
the wide legal lore of Of his predecessors his repu
taton for honesty aud certain rankness Of purpose in
public matters has never been mpugned. Mr.. Conk-
lings career in Congress extended through that
shameful period when the hands OF almost
every prominent man Of the dominant
party were stained with public plunder, yet no
participation in it has ever been charged upon him.
Though there is sort OF incongruity between the calm
quiet of the Bench the one hand and the turbu
ence Of politics with which his has been associated
the other 1t will perhaps bc the general conclusion
that Mr.. Conking associate Justice will be rather
above than below the average lie will be missed from
the field Of National politics. and his departure Lessons
the number Of competitors for Presidential honors-"
The american tRepJ win say President Arthur has
punched two important appointments, one of which Is
very good and the other very bad Whatever Judgment
may be passed upon Mr.. COnkng "a politician, there
can be no denial Of his fitness sit upon the Bench Of
the Supreme Court This may be very much TO say Of
man who has been extreme a partisan as Mr.. Conk
ling has been but 1t must be remembered that
in not even the fcrcest OF She political
ouarreIs in which he has borne lead
ing part has his personal integrity been
impugned and for his accomplishments in the law
that j. "a matter of universal acknowledgment. He pos
scsses of dignity tnat must make him an Impair
signed 10 point The difference between proprety and i'm
propretv h. could not have imagined sharper contrast
Than that when exists between the nominal OF Mr.
Conklng and that Of Mr. Sargent The Latter Gentieman
exceedingly unimportant member Of the Senate who,
during his term of Office, enjoyed the distinction OF hav-
cnt In years the United states has been repre-
sened at the German Corrt by GSoTSe bancroI; J.: a.
d. White, and il is fair to presume that those scholars
historic and trained dpOmatists have done us honor
Berlin. 1t is altogether absIrd that they should
b. succeeded by such narrowgaugo politician as MT
T6c Ga-eHe DcmJ will say: "As lawyer Mr..
COnkiiug never occupied conspicuous position a
the Bar. In temp "rancnt he has exhibited qualities
which will not adorn the Bench. There are hundreds
of Stalwarts in Newi0rk alone from whose number a
better for the pl could have been taken, and
whose appointment would have been more satisfactory
to the couhtry.'
ALL THE ABILITY NEEDFUL
ALBANY, Feb. 2i.-Ihe Journal (Rcp.) says:
"f the President elt obliged to do something for the
ex-senator is perhaps, best that IL should Lave taken
this shape Mr.. COnkling has all the ability
needful for the office, although he may not, in the
estimation OF the people Of this state, deserve
the distinction The criticism OF Mr. Conkngs appoint
ment will be that gentleman who was so emphatically
repndaed by the people should not have so soon been
given so prominent official recognition by the Presi-
dent"
The Erpress ep says 1t will be the friends rather
than the opponents of Mr.. Conkling who Will
he most surprised by this nomination. Mr.
Conkliug NAV have infrInities Of character,
hut dishonesty not one OF them Neither Is coWarce
nor trcachcry friends. We shall fel sorry II MI
G"nkIn accepts the office with the intention of retain
ino H. lie Is not the kind Of man VINO sh0nd draw
himself ont of active politics by accepting Judicial po-
of nai position Friruds, Roscoe Couklng T. Oorn pl-
Iitirnl eadcr His mistake ia pocs was not grave
rnongh TO shelve him on the bench OF the supreme
Tse rms dDeml SAYS: at is quite possible TO sup
pose thai acceptance Of the office was not numbered IN
ihe reasons Intention. OF the nomination al 9 LIES
ia likely to lurk in each OF its acts most likely TO Turk IN
lis most imposing acts ouch Mr. Ton6lnss .1rprise %S
a. his nomination. Chester A Arthurn oph,
ion Of A. B. Cornes treas 10 Mr nt T to
wreck his hopes, but hi, nome honor Is eupHay eA-
pressed in the nom nation 9i MI. JnGhmi @ y. M .s e G
ndy Ia bccinc as strong the bench as he has shown
himself in other departments OF enoT|
A SURPRISE TO THE COUNTRY.
BosTOy. Feb. 2l.-Ihe Adrert'Ser VIII say:
The President has treated the country to surprise by
Nominating ex-senator Conkling and ex-senator Sar-
crnt Of California With respect to the latter nomina
ton Il may b. said that 1t is pleasant way OUT OF the
d,mcptv roised by the proposition to make Sargent
Secretary of the Interior OF Mr. Conklng amny as
LAWYER there is no question: but there Is very decided
affection TO Judges who only waiting their chance to
became something else. Mr.. Conkling must Dc liable 10
the suspicion of having the the Presidential fever even
,bon in his own mind he may have abandoned forever
his OLD political hopes"
The HeraH will say; of Mr. Conklns was ever q ht
man for the bench OF the Supreme Court he Is none e
esa so by reason OF any Of his recent ml-takrs ana
f,uirs "A a Ioi ciaI. His character III AL ibat re
Igtes TO dignity and purity, is above Ifoach ms un
fnnn rrnnrd for ctrt lin prOprctcs Ot Omch sdl"h
nr nan, tllaf ne will refrain from any pattlel-
nat,nn or personal interest In political affairs.
Should this expectatiOn DE realized, We see 10
ransnn why hc should not take as hlgh
rank ON the bench he did in the Senate ana IN thl5
event President Arthur will have shown ha-a'lil cuai
to hs couragc In removing from New-Iofk pohlcs an
obstac'c alike q reform aud harmony" -.
TLs ,osf viii say tomorrow "rhe nomination IL a.
most grotesque Ia its inappropatcness ana s NOT Io
lowing even af0r of, the standard President arthur
seemed 10 set appointment OF Judge Gray We 90
not think Conkng is capable Of much good on t4e
suureIne Bench and the anmus OF his appointment IL
one that the American people will be ashamed OF but
Continued on Fifth PAGE.