New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-16
CONKLING'S INFLUENCE.
HOW HE SECURED AN APPOINTMENT.


TIMOTHY GRIFFITH TO SUCCEED J. NJ. DEUEL. AS
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
Information was received yesterday at the
| Federal Building that Timothy Griffith had been
amounted Clerk of the United States Circuit Court
in the place of Joseph NJ. Deuel., who has held the
position for the last two years Commissioner
Deuel's management of the Office has met with the
approval of members of the bar throughout the
( city. He served rs deputy clerk under Commits
sioner John l. Davenport whom be succeeded as
clerk beng appointed to his present position by
Judge Samuel Blatchford, now of the United states
| Supreme Court Mr.. Griffith, the new ap-
| pointee is about thirty-seven years OF age
! Almost from his boyhoOd he has peeh
servile follower of Roscoe Conkhhg' 10
| whose fortunes he has continually adhered. Ills
| loyalty and subserviency to the ex-senator are
| among his most marked characteritics. When mr.
| Conkng was practising lawyer IN Utica MI urh-
fifth was student in his office, and when his en-
ployer was elected to Congress from the oneiea
District the young followed him 10
Washington and was appointed clerk to
one of the committees. lie had formed
even in the early stages of his career habits which
could not but interfere with the regu anu orderly
discharge of some of his duties During the. career
of Mr. Conkling IN the House of Representatives,
and the United States Senate Mr.. Griffith served AT
various times as clerk for some OF the commit
tees and under George c. Gorham, Secretary OF the
Senate be acted superintendent OF the document
room and file clerk. He also worked as an assistant
IN arranging the correspondence and performing
other clerical duties for the Senator from New
York.
Tho descriptions of Mr.. Grifith's habits of intern
perance given by those who knew him while In
Washington and at other periods Of his life up to
10
they are not such as to render him suited for "A
position recurring care and diligence. 1t is said
| that he was formerly known to be for con-
siderable periods Of time untitled for
work requiring clcarness Of intellect and
steadiness of nerve. For few months before
the beginning OF the Garfield Administra-
ton he was employed by Postmaster James as one
of his secretaries, and when Colonel James was
was made Postmaster Mr. Griffith for a
short time acted a secretary IN his office. He was
| then appointed an inspector of the Post once
Department at salary of $1,000 year.
While he was holding that position Mr..
| Conkling became candidate for reelection
Ms Senator and among the ardent workers IN his
interest in New-York and Albany was Mr.. Griffith.
who for much of the time did little service for the
! Government from which he drew his salary
regularly Since the enforced retirement from
! politics OF the ex-senator, Mr.. Grifth
| has been yaTOusy employed by his chlel. lie
has not been prominently known rs lawyer.
| The manner in which the appointment was
/ secured is also worthy of notice. The Judges
/ of the United States Circuit and
! District Courts have by law the appoint
mrnt of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
lint IN case of their disagreement the Supreme
Cont Justice of the circuit has the rght U srec-
lion Mr. Deuel., who formerly the SECRETARY of
! MIR Conkling but with whom the latter has quar-
relied was requested 10 resign several mon IN ago
| by Judgc Wallace of the Circuit Court, whose ap-
uolnt ment 10 his present office sundcrstood TO nave
! been favored by ex-senator COnkiing. Who desired
! 10 MAKE room for the appointment ~
| his fayorite nephew, Alfred {. Coke, as
/ Judge of the Eastern District Court The
! res guation was promptly rendered, and Mr. Grlf-
I Ufh b~cauc judge Mailaccs candidate for the va
| caucy. Judge Addison Blown, of the District
] Cont. male inquiries - some 81 tbose who had
known the former hfc of the candida e, and did not
/ approve Judge Wallace selection. The matter has
been IN allegiance for several months. bui no agree
| ment between the two judges could Oe
reached. Justice BlatchiOrd was Appealed 10 anu
! his decision u now announced a. ~ favor u Alr
Griffith. IL ms said IN the Federal Building by some
/ of those in a position To know That the Executive
influence was directly invoked IN faNOrO the de-
| slTod appointment.
/ Several of those who nave bu,lntas
with the Clerks office yesterday e1-
| messed their disapprobatIon Of The change an
nonnced. A former Official no Is acq tainted with
! both Mr. Deuel. ana Sir. Griffith. sad 4: One thing
NAV be thoroughly understood 10y the lawyers: that
/ the new lerA will In all probability, be y hnt he
/ has always bton-trst and last Mr. Conkiing $