Morning journal and courier., 1882-02-25
News by Telegraph
FROM ALL QUARTERS.
TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
C0NKLING'S NAME SPRUNG
UPON THE SENATE
For the Supreme Bench.
A Sharp Criticism OF His
Qualifications. Sc
THE NOMINEE HIMSELF SILENT
THE NOMINEE HIMSELF SILENT
Declining to Make Known His
Intentions.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

A Sensation i'm the Senate-ConlxIine,s
Name Sprung Upon the DIgnified Body
Nominated to Succeed Justice Hunt
The Great Stalyvart Silent as to His
Acceptance.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-The President
caused a genuine sensation to-day by sending
to the Senate the names of Roscoe Conkling
to be associate justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States to succeed Ward Hunt,
resigned, and ex-senator A. A. Sargent as
United States minister to Berlin. vice Andrew
D. White, resigned. The former appoint
ment was expected to go to New York or
New England man, and the names of Judges
Blatchford and Andrews, Clarence Seward
and Senator Edmunds had been most promi-
nently mentioned in connection with the
nomination. Senator Conkling was not once
thought Of outside the few in the secret. 1t
has been the best kept among the Presidents
many wellkept secrets and the appointment
was complete surprise. There is already
much speculation as to Mr.. Conkling's action
in the matter 1t is remembered that he
once refused a similar appointment made by
Grant, and it has been the frequent boast
of his friends that the ex-senator would
not return to public life by the grace of
anybody except the people of his State
or the nation. The only vindication he
seeks, it was said, was such vindication as
would come by election, not by appointment.
For this reason his acceptance is doubtful,
though the wonder is that the President
should nominate him without an assurance
of it's acceptance. The compliment is worth
nothing to Mr.. Conkling he needed no evil
dence of the Presidents friendship, and the
President did not need to do this to approve
his loyalty to the chief Of the stalwarts.
These reasons tend to strengthen the belief
that Mr.. Conkling will accept the nomina-
tior, notwithstanding the financial success of
his legal practice. The Presidents skill in
keeping his own counsel, of which this is a
most marked illustration, excites much COM
ment, in which disgust and admiration are
mingled.
Rarely have nominations excited more in
terest. When they became known in the
Senate there was quite scene of excitement
and the names were discussed with ANNA
ton. Senator ingalls, said Conkling was the
least fitted for the Supreme bench of anyone
he knew. Senator Hoar said his whole course
of life untitled him for the place. Both said
they should vote for him, however, and it is
authoritatively stated that there will be few
negative votes on confirmation. Don Came
ron, after the speeches of Senators ingalls,
and Hoar, made objection to Sargents NOM
nation. 1t is expected, however, that both
will be confirmed on Monday.
Many Senators are inclined to look upon
Mr.. Conkling's nomination as his retirement
from politics. This implies belief that he
will accept the place, which is not shared by
all. MIR. Sargent's nomination was in the ma
ture of surprise to him as it was to every
one. 1t was made, no doubt, partly at least,
In Difference to the expressions of opinion by
newspapers That President Arthur origi-
nally intended to call Mr.. Sargent to the Cab
met cannot be doubted and at one time all
preparations were made to that end. Mr..
Sargent says he will accept.
UTICA, Feb 24.-Ex-Senator Conkling
heard of his nomination by the President
here, he having come to Utica from New
York yesterday, expecting to return Satur-
day or Sunday. He declines to give any re-
ply to questions as to his course with regard
to acceptance or non-acceptance of the
DrOffared offioa