Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-05
GREsHAM's SUCCESSOR.
Judge VIM. s. Woods, a Native Of
Tennessee.
A Lively Row in the Republican
Camp.
Special . Commercial Gazette,

| w A6nlNGION, NAY 49, ne appoint
ment OF Judge VIM. S. Woods, of
Goshen, and now Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court Of the State, to Gil the
vacancy caused by the resignation OF
General Gresham, was made late this
afternoon. Senator Harrison left
Washington on Sunday, confident that
Judge Hines, whom he had recoms
mended to the President, would be ap.
pointed this week.
Judge Woods is native of Tennes-
see. He was born in Marshall county,
May 10, 1887, and when he was quite
young his parents removed to Iowa.
In 1859 he graduated OF Wabash Coll
lege, Indiana. In 1860 he was admit.
ted TO the Bar In Grant county, and
practiced law at Goshen, Ind. In 1866
he was elected to the Legislature, and
in 1873 he was elected Judge of the
Thirty fourth District, and was re-
elected in 1876, without opposition.
Four years later he was elected by the
Republicans to the Supreme bench,
which position he has held with honor
until the present appointment. His
appointment is accepted in Indiana
with general satisfaction, as it is rec>
ognized that his qualifications for the
position, more than the chances of
influential personal friends, have Sc
cured his appointment. 1t is expec-
ted that he will Immediately begin his
duties.
Caurier-J Journal Special.
General Gresham could not want
better hand than he now holds in the
politics of his party in Indiana. He
has both bowers and the ace. IF he
fails to play the cards which a kind.
fortune has dealt him, that is his
fault. Thus far he has not been ag-
gressive, but that can perhaps be ac.
counted for by reason of the brief
time he has been in the Office. He
evidently has no desire to be too fresh
in the start. If he fails to develop
into thoroughbred, successful polir-
ical leader in Indiana, he will still
have one advantage, and that is the
deficiency Of good Republican mate
rial for leadership in Hoosier.
The appointment of Judge W. s..
Woods, OF Goshen, can be regarded as
good one. 1t will suit nearly every
body but the Harrison ring about In
dianapOlis. Judge Woods was born
ia Tennessee, but when he was very
young his parents removed to Iowa.
He was educated at Wabash College,
Indiana, from which he was gradu-
ated with high honors, and immedi>
ately began the study of the law.
He settled at Goshen, where his abili-
ty as a lawyer was Immediately recog.
nized, and he soon became one of the
leaders of the bar ofNorthern Indiana
He was elected Circuit Judge and
served with such ability and success
that, in 1880, he was chosen one of
the Justices of the Supreme Court of
the State, of which he is now Chief
Justice. Judge Woods is about forty-
five years of age, and is therefore in
the full prime CT manly vigor, both Of
body and mind. He is described as a
man of pure character, wide culture
and high attainments, both in and out
of his profession. His decisions as a
Judge have been noted for their clear
ness and wisdom, and have always
commanded respect. While he is a
man OF very strong personality and
political convictions and an ardent
Republican, he is, nevertheless, highly
respected by men who are his political
opponents.
The New York Tribune and the
leading Republican papers East will
have this to say tomorrow about
Harrison and the appointment: "The
appointment Of Judge Woods will be
disagreeable surprise as we'll as dis.
appointment to Senator Harrison who
warmly recommended and urged the
appointment Of his own law partner,
Judge Hines, of Indianapolis. When
Senator Harrison left Washington
several days ago, after exhausting his
powers OF argument and persuasion in
favor Of Hines, he did so feeling con-
ident that the appointment would be
made, and withal discontented because
that had not already been done. 1t is
understood that the Attorney General
told Senator Harrison if he would
name any candidate outside of In
dianapolis the appointment would be
made, but it appears the Senator had
no second choice. The Republican
Representatives from Indiana have
for some time felt that they had good
reason to complain, because ali the
important Federal Offices of the State
had been given to citizens of Indian
apolis, and nearly all OF them strongly
opposed the appointment of Judge
Hines for that reason.
Petroleum v. Nasty.