Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-11-01
err coURr yuDar.


City solicitor y. Frank 1fatI Ap.
pointed by ss0ycrnvr Riggs.
On October 2sd Governor Biggs appointed
j. Frank Ball, ESQ, Judge OF Wllmington's
munislpal court, in place OF Walter Gum.
minis, Esq, resigned.
The sudden departure OF Judge Cummlns
from this city, several months ago, under
peculiar circumstances that were then WELL
known to the people, made II necessary that
a deputy judge OF the municipal court
should be appointed. After full canvass
OF the sutiaet, Associate Judge Grub of
the superior court, In whose hands the ap-
pointment OF temporary official was
vested, appointed ex.oity Solicitor Henry
ClTurner to.fill the position d.interim, and
Judge Turner has served ncceptably ever
tince.
But two week ago things changed. Judge
Oummins, from his position Of retirement
and where that Is the closest Investigation
fails to reveal-forwarded to Governor
Riggs his resignation Of the office, and
thereupon It became the duty OF the gov.
ernor TO appoint successor for the full
term OF Ia years. Governor Bl9gs, after
carefully considering the responsibilities of
the position, made out a commission for
the office and mailed 1t, on october 2sd, to
City Solicitor j. Frank Ball.
Mr. Bal kept the matter quiet, and 1t was
not until Friday that his appointment
became generally known, and when ques-
toned about the matter said
since you have asked me the direct
question respecting the appointment, can
give you only one answer. recelved the
commission OF my appointment as Judge OF
the municipal court on October 29t. TWAS
az absolute surprise to me, as had made
no application for the appointment, neither
had 1 requested any OF my friends to ask
for IL. As the commission came to me un-
solicited, and as believe the position to be
one OF the greatest Importance to the sue
cessful administration OF good govern
ment In this city, have asked tue gov
ernor to allow me time TO consider the
matter well before giving him nv Anal
answer. believe this 70 be very honor
able position, and one that no man should
make personal canvass to secure. Ian
preciate more highly the honor conferred
upon me by Governor Biggs, because had
In no manner whatever solicited the ap.
pointment. For these reasons think
should give the matter my most careful
consideration before announce my final
determination"
City Solicitor Ball on Monday morn.
ing accepted the appointment Of Judge OF
the Municipal Court, recently rendered
him by Governor Biggs. He notified SEQ.
Rotary OF State John P. Salisbury, who
was in the city, this morning, Of his &C.
ceptapce, and will formally notify Gov
ernor Biggs by letter. The date Of his
acceptance is November LIST.
j. Frank Ball, the new judge of the
City court, is SO years of age, native OF
Wilmington and graduate Of Princeton
College. he studied law under Hon,
Charles b. Lore, and was admitted TO
practice in the courts of this county. He
has always takon an active interest in
politics, and in July, 1881, after serving
year as auditors CLERK, was elected city
auditor for term of three years. he
was reelected in 1884, and last July was
elected city solicitor.
Mr.. Balls record as city auditor was
excellent, and as city solicitor he has
gained the admiration Of the community
by the faithful. discharge of his official
duties and particularly by his effective
crusade against the gamblers that for
merly infested this city. He is especially
well-equipped for the responsible duties
OF his new position and his selection is |
thoroughly approved by citizens gener- |
ally. The term Of his appointment is 10 |
years.
Mr.. Balls elevation to the bench will
make 1t necessary for him to resign the
city solicitorship, and he will send
his resignation to City Council at TO-
nights reE-'s, u;sstiag. AmoDs thos9
Inentianea TO succeed him are Il. G.
NanoegxlIr, Esq., W. a. uynaLn, ESD,
Deputy Judge II. O. Turner, Thomas
Davis, Esq, Andrew e. Sanborn, ESQ,
J. Frank Biggs, Esq, and George +.
Brown, Esq.