Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-26
THE GEORGIA JUDRESHIP.
Full History Of she appointment
How Judge Woods Is Said 10 Have
Worked TO Prevent she COnfiTmR"
zion OF Atkins.


AEron Ohio Beacon.
The presence in the city of James Atkins,
Esq. of Savannah, Ga, ex-Colleetor OF
Customs at that port, on a visit to his sister
Iu.law, Mrs. Charles Brown, and his brother
inlaw. Mr.. d. L. King, led to represen-
tative of the Beacon calling upon him with
view 10 ascertaining some OF the inside
history Of his recent withdrawal OF his name
for confirmation by the Senate as United
States District Judge for the Northern Dis
trict of Georgia. Mr.. Atkins, however,
though courteously responding to the open
Ing INQUIRIES, preferred not to appear in
print in a matter so intimately affecting his
relations with other public men. Mr.. King
was accordingly sought, as one thoroughly
familiar with all the circumstances of the
case, and kindly gave the following impor
tant piece of inside political history:
'1n order to properly understand the sit
uation," said Mr.. King, 81 should explain
that there are two factions Of the Republi-
can party In Georgia. One might be said to
be represented by A. E. Buck, who went
from Maine to Mobile, Ala, and represented
that district In Congress for several years.
Justice VIM. B. Woods,of the United States
Supreme Court, and he are in the iron bust
ness together in Alabama. Woods brought
Buck over to Georgia several years ago and
made him Clerk of the United s. ties Court,
a position that pays 81, 900 yer The other
faction, with which Mr.. Atkins is aligned,
is headed by ex- Gov. ConleY. The Repub-
lican State Convention met on the second Of
this month. 1t split, onehalf meeting In
one hall half in another. The result was
the choice of two State Central Committees,
with Buck as chairman OF one and ConleY
chairman of the other. The bitterness of
that conflict entered very largely into the
fight against Mr.. Atkins Bucks faction
exerted themselves to the utmost to secure
| his defeat. Buck and his faction, more
| over, were very largely assisted by Senator
Brown, while Senator Hill, though lying
very Ill at HIS home, wrote q letter against
| the confirmation. In the House, Con
gresham Speer, Independent, was the only
Representative from Mr.. Atkins State
who supported him. That, believe, is the
political situation in brief"
Gas to the personal and business alliance
| of Justice Woods and Buck, continued Mr..
King, ''it was the most fatal OF all to Mr..
Atkins. Buck wanted to retain his posi-
ton By a recent law, Circuit Judges can
| appoint clerks of court. subject to the APP
| proval of the District Judge. In case they
can't agree, the Supreme Judge for that cir
| cult has the appointment to make. 1t was
on this ground that Justice Woods opposed
| Mr.. Atkins confirmation in Georgia, as he
had previously opposed Judge Pardee's APP
pointment for the fifth circuit. Pending the
word to him that he could have the inhu-
ence of himself and friends If he (Atkins)
would continue him as clerk, Mr.. Atkins
replied that he did not think it proper for a
candidate for a Judgeship to enter into any
such bargain. The result was that he did
not receive the support Of that wing, but,
on the contrary, its bitter opposition"
eDo you mean to be understood as saying
that Justice Woods was active in his Opposi-
ton to Mr.. AJkins?"
81 do. He went TO Davis, President OF
the Senate and set him against Mr.. Atkins.
In the absence Of Judge Edmunds at the
| bedside of his daughter, in Vermont, Davis
became acting Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee. Woods. however, did not stop
there, but went to New England, and Ed
munds soon after wrote letter to the COM
mittee opposing Mr.. Atkins very strongly,
aud Notwithstanding his daughter had just
died, he said he would come on to Wash
iugton. II necessary, to defeat his confrma-
ton. Mr.. Atkins could not get at Ed
munds 10 disabuse his mind, and did not
think it proper to press his case
upon him at such a time. The
committee stood politically five Republicans
to four Democrats, CHASING Davis as a
Democrat. In Edmunds' absence it stood,
politically, four to four. The nomination,
which was sent to the Senate July 3, was
referred to a subcommittee consisting OF
Logan aud Garland. Well, Of course, IL the
committee stood four to four, even though
he get favorable report from the Republi- |
can ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, favorable report |
of the full committee to the Senate would
be impossible. II Logan had consented to
make Atkins case his own, the latter might
not have asked the President to withdraw
his name. But Logan was lukewarm. had |
talk with him, but he would make no fight |
for Mr.. Atkins"
"And Edmunds, you say, was guided |
principally by Woods advice ?"
"Edmunds has the greatest respect for
Woods opinions, owing to the position he
occupies. Yet Woods visited the Attorney
General daily in his efforts against Mr.. At
kns. Even in the contest which resulted !
in the split in Georgia he visited the depart
ments to dictate the appointment of route |
agents and other small officers In the inter-
est of his faction-all of which would have |
very greatly surprised Edmunds, no doubt,
to learn ; In fact, he wouldn't have believed |
#. Nevertheless, 1t is true, and can be
proven.
"These influences led to Mr.. Atkins with.
drawal. He saw that it was simply but
ting his head against fate, although he had,
among the Democrats, the promise OF the
votes of Pendleton, Of OAio. and johnson,
Of Virginia, and would probably have got
ten the support of the two West Virginia
Senators. As, however, he had no one to fight
his battles ia executive session, he resolved
to end the contest, and accordingly, as the
result OF final interview with the President,
July 81, sent him this letter producing the
following.
WASHINGTON, D: c., July 2s, 1882.
"Io the Pre5ide12'
In consequence of the bitter, not to say
unprincipled opposition to my confirmation
on the part of both the Senators and their
allies from my own State, rendering the re-
suit in the Senate doubtful, as well as in
consequence of the pressing necessity there
is for an immediate appointment Of some
one as Judge for the district for which
have been nominated, l have concluded to
put an end to the struggle over my case,
and thus leave you free to substitute the
name Of some one else for the position In
question. l accordingly hereby request you
to withdraw my nomination for the North
ern Judicial District Of Georgia from the
further consideration Of the Senate. beg
at the same time to express my hearty
thanks and profound gratitude for the con-
fidence you have reposed in me, not only In
this matter but in other things also.
every truly, your obedtent servant,
GAMES ATKINS"
''Mr. Atkins relations with the Presi-
dent"-
"Hsve been Of the most pleasant chsrac-
ter. He always received him very cOurte-
ously, and at the last expressed regret at
the complication of affairs that led to his
withdrawal
The result OF all this was the nomination
and confirmation of Judge Henry X. McCay,
favorite of eX Senator Simon Cameron,
who visited Washington to press in his
nomination.
-%.-@-4%-
The PaFsOn and His Horse
A well known clergyman drove twelve
miles into the country to pass the day with
friend. While at dinner servant came run
ming In with the message that his horse was
lying on it's back in frightful agony, kick
ing and struggling IS II about to die.
PERRY DAVIS PAIN KILLER happened to be
on hand, and some of it was at once put
down the suffering beasts throat. In con-
sequence the horse, which had bad attack
% cnlin Vas ahla q trot nIaarilrr hnrna nd