New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-01
NJ. w. FULLER is NAMED
TO FILL THE CHAIR OF CHIEF JUSTICE
NR CLEVELAND TREATS THE COUNTRY TO AN
oIHER SURPRISE-HE PICKS OUT Sue
CESsoR TO Mr. WAITE FROM THE
RANKS OF THE CHICAGO DEMOC-
BACY-PJBLIC OPINION OF
PIT TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. ]

RANKS OF THE CHICAGO DEMoo-
RACY-PUBLIC OPINION OF
THE NOMINEE
pr TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, April 30.-The President sent to
The Senate to-day the name of Melville W. Fuller
10 succeed the late Morrison l. Waite as Chief
Justice Of the United States.
Secretary Pruden, with the large envelope con-
tanning the nomination, presented himself at the
bar Of the Senate shortly before o'clock.
Everybody knew or anticipated that the nomina-
tion was coming
Message from the President Of the United
States,' announced old Doorkecper Bassett with
something more than his usual dignity, and bow
ing fully two inches lower than when o mere
postmaster is about to run the gauntlet of the
Senate.
Mr.. Secretary" gravely suggested the Presl-
dent pro tenn, Mr.. ingalls,, adjusting his spccta-
cles and raising his gavcL
| Mr. President proceeded the assistant pri-
vate secretary of the first business Administra-
tion" that has graced the White House since the
aforesaid secretary so far demeaned himself a. to
accept pay from Republican President. MIR.
President, l am directed by the President of the
United States to deliver TO the Senate O message
in writing
bow by the secretary, stately bow by Mr..
ingalls, in return, and the antique doorkeeper
bears the precious document to the desk of the
presiding officer A clip of the scissors opens the
big envelope. At the same time the manifold copy
of the nomination is passed about in a group of
Senators who surround the desk.
We'll, declare' exclaims one
"A surprise again!' says another.
who would have suspected it?" asks third
But who is Melville w. Fullerp Never heard
Of him beforel" chime in half dozen, and the
question is repeated in nearly every corner Of the
chamber. The Democratic Senators looked sour,
and cast sympathizing looks in the direction OF
Senator Gray's seat.
WEARY LOOK ON Mr. PHELPss FACE
At about the same time-a curious coincidence
Minister Phelps stalks dignifcdly into the
chamber.
AN excellent appointment Mr.. Phelps is the
greeting he gets.
Unexceptionable,u Mr.. Phelps replies, with
just shade Of weary look in his face which
even the most accomplished of diplomatic smiles
is not able altogether to hide.
Unexceptionable." he repeats, and then he sits
down to tell the Senators that a New-England
man got the appointment, after all, for Fuller so
it seems, was born in Maine 1t is consolation
to Mr.. Phelps, though secondhand, as it were
:" But who is Melville w. Fuller?' is again
asked. 1t appears that of the Republican men,
bers of the Judiciary Committee few only knew
of him, and those simply by reputation. The
Democratic members Of the committee do not
seem ever to have heard his name before. Gradu-
ally it dawns upon them that in appointing MI:
Fuller the President did not consult Democratic
Senators at all but relied chiefly upon the c0unsei
of the two Republican Senators from LIMOS,
Messrs Cullom and tarwen IL Is douo.ia, tn uo 70 to
members of his own party for advice, had 10 seek
the counsel and assistance of Senators OF an oppo-
site political faith in order to make such an aP-
nointnent as that Of Chief Justice. In this
feature alone the case is unique:
Melville w. Fuller Is practically man wlthone eha
q record. His availability seems to have been the
principal cause that led to his appointment he lie
was a member Of the Kitchen Cabinet which IN inc
beginning Of Mr.. Clevcland's Administrator ais.
tributed the Federal pap in Chicago ms Caphet m
was made of ex-senator Lyman Trumbull w. y.
Goudy and Mr.. Fuller ,;s..o' ,or tho
office of Chief Justice ana mas aiGb5 bas Written ur
gent letters 20 the President favorlng the appoiho-
ment of the latter. -
REPUBLICAN SENATORS PRESENT HIS NAME
Mr.. Fullers name was presented to the PRESIDENT
by Senator Farwell, who said he took TINS course
at the suggestion Of the bar OF Chicago.
"Can he be confirmed ?' asked Mr.. Cleveland.
"He can, II your Democratic Senator's are agree
able replied Senator Farwell. CuLom anu
will see TO our side Of the Senate
Your task would be easier than mine re-
spOnded the President. , ... cono.ors
were protesting against the appointment OF MINIS
ter Phelps and at the same time urging Seia.oI s
Gray Before that the Illinois people thought 1ney
had the right sort Of man & N SVS,cy s wsiy recon-
mended by Justice Harlan But Scnoiieiu ~ wnoyo nou
several letters begging that the honor De hoC o uU
ferred upon him and he was taKen Ia, a. orSent nS
From that time Fuller's star was In tae ascendahV'
The President grew impatient at the pressure 5 en
erted by the Democratic Senators for Gray anu anu
last week decided that the naI ths week U Messrs
Farwell and Cullom had sounded tneir % ta sav
at Mr. Clevelands request, and were aoie 70 " n.y. W.
that there should be no serious opposs,ot nnotors It
might be said that the two Illinois senators
cred the appointment, as not single Democra'i'
Senator was consulted :, VI, n ,r.,;eon
to prevent the appointment Morrison Is eo9ue 9I
the only Illinois Democrat who was d noG arora narnaa
to Fuller He brought out country luoge naihot .
Craig, the State bench Nralg Was mas as
is known as Granger judge and his reputa.i9h s s'
jurist hardly warranted naming INN ,Or Ent 70 en-
going to his own State About the only ponticai
bearing the appointment has Is the snup gls1h "
Morrison. The President told some OF ,d Mr. hn
friends that to have the Chief justice Wouiu
big thing, for any State but he can hartiy eAPe'0
to carry Illinois on this account oo,,nr
A FAMILIAR FIGURE IN THE SUPREME ooohl.
Mr. Fuller is tolerably we'll known to the MEM
bers Of the court over which ne mas oeci ono''n
to preside His practice before II mas hoV Deen
exceeded by half q dozen Western ""Sefo' "''u
with the exception of criminal law mas covereu /"
wider range At home he is called Judge"
Fuller, but he has never even been canuluhs r' AZ;
for judicial position. He gets the TUE rom ~ tho io
father, who went to Chicago from MaIne ~ itb itS
fiftes Judge Fuller had been in Congrssss WIN NJ
Hannibal Hamlin The only political once , NJ; Mt
NJ. W. Fuller has held was as member s Oi .Sat Snt
Illinois Legislature. This was in looo "drd and ,,aS aS
body controlled by the Democrats anu ""'
kpn al. - InU1
1t may be that overhanling OF the news; a
of that day will bring to light some eninss nas ends
say he was a D6uglas Democrat and not a peace
at any price, man. The Illinois members be VINO
indorsed him say that while strict ,inOs DehOcra,
he is not n Bourbon, and has soine no''oN' u
political progress. iii, Oh. 81 s;,,,
In Chicago Mr. Fuller trains WITH the Six SIX
stocking element Of his party ne noh ious sor,,,s