The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-03-03
CoNKLINa,s APPOINTMENT.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2i.-Presidcnt
Arthur sent to the Senate, to-day, the
name of Roscoe Conkling TO succeed
Ward Hunt rs associate justice OF tho
supreme court of The United States.
No action was taken on the non,lna.
ton.
what They Think about Il.
People have been much concerned
Of late for the elevation OF the bench,
lowered In recent years by being made
| tho resting place f,r worn out politi.
oians, or honored friends Of the presi.
dent who CHANGED TO hold the power OF
appointment when vacancies occurred.
In appointing Judge Gray, the presi-
dent raised the hope that no appreciate
ed the greatest need Of tho suprcmc
court, aud felt tho sense of responsible
ity that rested upon him for supplying
It with the strength which It lacked.
Nothing has done so much as that ap-
pointment to beget confidence In his
motives aud purposes, as tho heal of
tho national administration. But from
Gray to Coukling 10 q long step down.
ward, and 1t will DO strange II this lat
est nomination does not 60 far towards
destroying the respect which the presi-
dent has gained BY his first judicial Sc
lecuon.-lNew York Times (Rep.)
Mr.. Conkling's ability to ill the po-
sition accepiably cannot be called In
question. He Is an accomplished law.
yer and jurist, an interchangeable work
err, and a thorough and conscientious
student. What work he undertakes to
do he does we'll. But there IL some
thing more about this man that NAV
I just as we'll be said here and now. He
Is thoroughly honest. His public rec
ord is above reproach. His most Bit
ter enemy cannot now, after he has
been In public life for twenty-five
years, and during times when legisla-
lures have been debaucbed and legis-
lators bought, point their finger to q
black spot In his record. MI. Conk-
ling may have infirmities of character,
but dishonesty Is not one of them.
Neither is cowardice, nor treachery to
friends.-[ Albany Express (Rep).
If Mr.. Conkling was ever q fit man
for the bench of the supreme court, he
is none tho less so by reason of any of
his recent mistakes and f)llies as pol
itician. His character, in all that re-
lates to dignity and purity, Is above re-
proach. His uniform regard for GER
tain proprieties of official station war.
rants the hope that he will refrain from
any participation or personal interest
In political affairs. Should this expec.
tation be realized, we see no reason
why he should not take as high rank
on the bench as he did In the Senate,
and in this event President Arthur will
have shown sagacity equal to his cour-
age, In removing from New York poll
tics an obstacle alike to reform and
harmony.-[ Boston Herald (Ind).
In general the copjectured reasons
for this appointment will be other than
that Mr.. Conkling is eminent for law
or learning, or of judicial temper, or
that be has the physical or mental con-
dition to stand the work which Is now
thrown upon the justices. His ap-
pointment will generally be looked up
on as political convenience and per-
sonal gift and as not for the highest
good of the supreme bench. -TCincfnna.
ii Gazette (Rep.)
As lawyer Mr.. Copkling has never
occupied conspicuous position at tho
bar. In temperament he has exhibited
qualities which will not adorn the
bench. There are hundreds of stall
warts In New York alone from whose
number a better man for the place
could have been taken, and whose APP
pointment would have been more salts
factory to the country. i Baltimore
Gazette (Dem).
We arc glad TO be able to state, in
justice to Mr.. Conkling, that he has not
sought the justiceship of the supreme
court, and that he did not even know
the president intended to confer such a
compliment upon him. Conkling pos
sesses many qualities which are neces-
sary to judge. He Is able, learned,
Independent, proud and incorruptible.
New York Sun (Ind).
OfMr. Conkling's ability as a law
yer there Is no question; but there is
very decided objection to judges who
are only waiting their chance to be-
come something else. Mr.. Conkling
must be liable to the suspicion of hav.
ing the presidential fever, even though
in his own mind he may have abandon
ed forever his old political hopes. -
Boston Advertiser. (Rep).
Mr.. Conkling has done his state
great service and the country much
honor. His usefulness In an other
Geld, while perhaps less conspicuous,
will be hardly less valuable, and the
people ought to welcome his accession
to the bench with generous unani nifty.
l-(Chicsgo Inter-Ocean (Rep).
Mr.. Conkling's spotless integrity.
unsurpassed natural gifts, great learn
Ing, capacity for work. dignity of char.
acter aud national fame, make his ap-
poiEtmcnt one which the country will
unanimously pronounce eminently fit
to be made Washington National
Republican (Rep).
The nomination of Mr.. Conkling is
grossly undt, because IL 10 q fragrant
abuse of the appointing power to use
the supreme court bench to pension O
broken-down public man, who made
himself to the last degree odious to the
people.-[New York Tribune (Rep).
Tho presidents nominations yester.
day appear TO have been dictated by q
desire to put two conspicuous and In
convenient Republicans where they
will do the least harm. -fNew York
World (Dem).
We do not think the country will
receive Mr.. Conkliug's appointment
with particular appreciation or resent
meut. The country will find some
comfort In the permanent elimination
of the "boss of the bosses" from party
politics."-lChicago Tribune (Rep).
Washington Notes