New-York tribune., 1886-02-21
expected to arrive from Europe to-day by the steamer
JUSTICE FIELDS INFL UENCE.
HIS RECOMMENDATION UNHEEDED-CON-

HIS RECOMMENDATION UNHEEDED-CON-
FEDERATE BRIGADlERS
fFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRTBUNEA
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 20.-Justice Field. of the
Supreme Court takes active interest in the politics
of his State lie believes in the development and future
greatness Of California His influence is eIerted always
in the direction Of the best possible means to accom-
plish that object II was the ambition OF his life once
to called leadership Of his party in Presi-
Dental struggle. He might have secured that honor.
but circumstances arose which dashed his hopes and
nipped his aspirations in the bud There eau be but
little doubt that 1850. by bis deliberate and fearless
discharge OF duty by following his own convictions as
to the law, and by rendering decision In
the now memorable Chinese queue case, which
however righteous and in accordance with the funda-
mental principles of constitutional law, awOke storm
fierce opposition and hatred among all the lowest and
most ignorant classes Of the political party with which
he is connected, Judge Field sacrificed his chances
otherwise good, of nomination by the Democratic par
ty for Presidency. Scheming politicians, anxious
only for heir own personal ADVANCEMENT working upon
this temporary unpOpuarity among the Democratic
masses OF California prevented him from obtaining the
support of his State and thus rendered his nomna
tion by the National Convention impossible. The de-
cisOn TO the validity OF miserable city ordinance re-
curing queues of Chinese prisoners TO be cut OF lost
him the Democratic support OF California In NoVem
Der Justice Field will be entitled to retirement on
full pay. He will then be seventy Years OF age and Will
have sat or the bench of the Supreme Court since
1868 If he retires he will do without stain upon
bis He will leave the bench as poor as when ne
took his seat upon It, owing nothing and owning little.
except the title to the respect OF all good Intelligent ana
fair r-minded men throughout the country.
1t might have been supposed that the President In
making certain California appointments would have
been glad to avail himself of the counsel and advice OF
such man Justice Field. HIS position was peculiar
one the only Democrat the bench OF the su-
preme Court His experience was large; his honesty ~
purpose beyond the shadow Of q doubt His energles
h all his life been dIeced for the good OF his state
His opinion should certainly have been entitled
TO some weight. But fr from needing 1t, the Presl-
dent only followed the suggestions OF the leaders
represent the worst elements OF the Cafornla Dem
ocracy but actually out OF his wayto snub Justice
Field. by common courtesy. and In accordance Win
we-esabshed precedents Judge is consulted always
with regard to the appointment OF marshal especially
is this case when the home of the Judge happens 10
be within the jurisdiction Of his circuit Judge Fields
circuit is the niuth comprising California oregon ana
Nevada On Thursday ,he President appointed John
Christian Franks be Marshal for California Ihls was
in direct opposition to judge Fields wishes who had
recommended one Maynard for the place. Franks was
appointed upon the recommendation OF Jesse d. carr
OF the State Central Committee who IS known TO DC not
altogether friendly to Judge Field. The President
must have known this. but knowing 1t or not,
he administered snub to tho Judge nj
once needless and cruel The political wseacre OF the
their heads TONIGHT ana pIeJo' oiIt ~ VII VII
bp A
darken the doors OF the White House again
think that the Confederate Brigaders using the
Administration to pay off old scores Last week Major
Lewis Merrill the 7th Cavalry, was promoted to he
Northumberland and his nomination sent to the sen
ate. This week that nomination was withdrdWn. Ihe
by the Secretary OF War was thst retiring
board had pronounced Major Merrill uunt Tor duy on
account wounds received IN the service tbat II MAJOR
Merrill aut "A major ne cOuld not ne
~ NJ i"t t mr;per 10 promote him Wnc this Is strictly
bepu uttlr
Merrill who stood a. the head OF the ISL OF I'D DoIS
sIoui not he rrIlred until he WIS promoted TINS Is
practice IN the Army that has always prryhed ana no
one found any laut with J. uhtI secretary Enu
cot discovered nat II was FOR good OF the ser
vice TO promote an aud i hlui officer VINO - entitled
promotion because he Will De TcilIrh upon Wv Pa' va
leutenantcoopei instead oi major. II Hpprai NOV
ever that secretary EudicOtt not quie sincere u lhi'
matter lie dd rot discover the lmproplcly o Ptomo,
ing Major Merrill uhti after uln Pt"lno'I"in ",1,,
to the There WAS s'eu DY the SCUM thIon"
Senators ana CO.SesSlau 80, rnrG,, Mir
They 10 had haze no 9llhru'2 lh lcI suao"t & ,.
EudIcOtt 10 punish Mayor MrrTW Tor "hcl,ycS 'om.
said that Mr. Blanchard has already cent dispatch
his friends AT home saying tial J. vs. NE WV
ls claim to this honor he Will nave no dlncuiy III re-
ceiving his district the sod vote OF inc anu
White League a the next election.
In rrcomsruction days the man against whom secre-
Known among rebels a. 'Dos Merrl and other choice
epithcis. lie WAS The com ander ni whal ""7 hno
during the war Merrill Horse, famous DIlg,ue'
aud subsequently, was instrumental In suppIes'IhS to
Ku-Kmx and Kindred secret societies ihroushout the
South, but more especially III 50uih CafOHha MS namo
was terror every buhdozer IN the otale HeSsis.
HAMPTON and Bntler know his record ana thls
is the first chance they have 10 get even
with him. Wien General sheridan went 10 Louisiana
In 1874 suppress the White LfaRh" the "a
the ku-kux. he gave Merrill Tue coiphanu y, we o
Shreveport and Cousha,a Districts AZ tAe head oI ome
I'm Cavalry Major Merrill made himself oOnOilou'
In CONGRESSMAN Blanchard and ms White League aSHO-
ciates b, arrcstiuE them aud supresslng the terror
ism which extended thtOu-hOut the South. ne
White League was dissolved and many OF its
members punished, but among those Wno
ESCAPED through mercy OF General Grant was Con
pressmau Blanchard. Ex-Governor Kellogg says that
blanchard Is sti under indictment ior kIhng hhoosnV
nd he ID 4 .
p0.e,i could give Inercstug details cohcerulnH
ihat mans career Among Army officers great lLdEn
tinn rs exprrssed al Secrctary EndcoH readiness 10
allow hinseftO be made ne tool Ot reVrngelu eAoooS
while posing at the same time as a reorner'