Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25
SPECULATIONS
AS TO THE SUCCESSOR OF THE cHIET
JUSTICE.
More Names Msntionod-A Drop In Bell
Telephone Stock. and the Cause
Briefs.
[From our Rognlar corrnsnondnnt.

OF tDfeI-j ustlce halte leaves justice
Miller the oldest member in the service
OF the court and oil official papers will be
signed by him rs "senior associate JUS
tice" Speculation rs to the probable
sppointee to iii the vacancy is still the
main topic here, and many new names
are mentioned to-day. Among them
that of Rufus Wheeler Peckham, of
New York, is given by New York Demo
Gratis as possibility. Mr.. Peckham is
regarded as one Of the ablest members
of the New York bar, and 1t is known
that his relations with the President are
of the most friendly and confidential
character. Ex-Solicitor Of the Treasury
McCue is also spoken Of from that State.
There seems TO be very general i'm
preston that Mr.. Cleveland will pro-
baby select lawyer from the Empire
State for the reason, among others, that
his acquaintance with members Of the
bar outside of that State is limited,
while, as a New York lawyer himself, he
is supposed to know the best material
there, and can make his selection upon
his own knowledge of the man. Some
Republicans assert that il Mr.. Carlisle
were nominated the Republican senators
would refuse TO confirm him. The friends
Of Judge Field are pressing his eleya-
ton to the Chief Justiceship as a
fitting reward for his long and
eminent services on the bench, but
Democrats generally think that he is too
old, and that the President in choosing
a Chief Justice should take a man whose
age would warrant the expectation that
he would hold the Office for long time.
They say that it is among the possibili-
ties that the next President may be Re
publican, and that it would at least be
imprudent TO fail to secure g Democrat
who had the promise of long career
before him. They don't think we can
afford TO take any chances in so impor-
tant a matter, when it is so easy
10 mako a comparative certainty OF
it. Strange TO say, there are Democrats,
and amongthem Judge Culberson, chair
man Of the Judiciary Committee Of the
House, who would like to see Justice
Miller preferred TO a Democrat. While
there is no question as to his ability and
integrity, bis nomination would be a con-
fession that there was no Democratic
lawyer in the country capable, in the
Presidents opinion, of filing the office,
or else that he preferred Republican to
a Democrat. The same remark applies
to Judge Cooley, of the Interstate Com
mission, one of the best lawyers in the
United States, but a Republican in
politics.
BELL-TELEPHONE STOCK.
Bell-telephone stock has dropped seve-
raj points since the announcement Of the
death of the Chief Justice. The court
now stands 8 to 3 on that case, beside
Justices Gray and Lamar. The counsel
for the United States claim that the case
of the United States against Bell is
very different and much stronger one
than the private suits recently decided,
and that when it comes up for hearing
the evidence of fraud in the procure
ment of the patent will be much
stronger than 1t was in the other
suits, as they have procured
great deal Of new testimony on
that subject. They hope that Mr..
Lamar will see his way clear
to sit in the case, and if not they at least
hope that the new Chief Justice will de-
eide in their favor, even should the sur
viving Justices who sat in the recent case
fail to be convinced by the new EVIL
dence. 1t thus appears that this power
ful monopoly may have a direct interest
in the selection of the Chief Justice,
and there is little doubt its influence will
be exerted in behalf Of some lawyer who
is supposed to lean that way. 1t is to
be hoped. however, that we shall not
have a repetition of the scandal caused
by Garfeld's appointment Of Judge
Matthews.
THE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE.
Representative Bowden, who is one of
the members of the Republican State
Executive Committee, tells me that he will
attend the meeting on Thursday next.
He thinks nothing will be done beyond
fixing the date and issuing call for the
convention. The time for the conven-
ton, he says, will probably be between
the LIST and 18th OF May. He does not
anticipate any discussion of the matters
in difference between the Republican
lenders of the State, but believes that
the committee will cOntine itself to the
simple duty OF making arrangements for
the convention.
Mr.. Bowden tells me that the Com
mittee on Commerce have Tuesday and
Wednesday set apart for the considera-
ton by the House for bills reported
from that committee and that they have
put down the OFerrall bill dividing the
waters of Hampton Roads between the
Norfolk and Newport News collection
districts as one of those which shall be
called up by the committee lie intends
TO make a fight against it in behalf OF
Norfolk, but admits that his chances OF
success are not promising. If the bill is
reached it will probably be passed.
MIR. Grain, of Texas, proposes to call
mn his constitutional amendment chang
ing the date for inauguration-day and
also for the meeting of Congress.
Mr.. Mills has taken severe cold, and
was confined to his bed to-day. He
hopes. however, to be able to present
the tariff report to the House next We'd
nesdav. The minority of the committee
are at work on report, but it will proba-
bly, be some time before they will be
ready 20 present 1t.
The following storekeepers and gaugers
have been appointed Joseph +. Giyens,
Clifton Forge, Va. Jesse NJ. Biggs,
Dobson, n. G. William I. Rousseau,
Wilkesboro', n. G. ; John w. Neil,
Granite Hill, n. c.. John b. Foard,
South River, n. G. William &. Brad
shaw, Olive Hill, n. G.
FIFrIETH CONGRESS.
Wy -.....-.a.ox. Nfo.oL Oh 1900