The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-31
COOLEY A MAN OF HONOR
NO LIKELIHOOD THAT He WILL
SUCCEED FINK.

His Criticism of Commissioner Walk
er's Resignation Based on His Con-
ception OF His Duty to the Govern
ment-He Won't Be Made a Supreme
Court Judge Because He Voted for
Cleveland.
WASHINGTON, July 30.-Judge Cooley,
chairman of the interstate commerce COM
mission, is not likely to resign that place
with its $500 salary to accept the commits
sonership of the trunk lines at $25, 900. In
deed he is not likoly to leave his present place
for any other unless it should be a place on
the supreme bench. If he had not voted
for Cleveland in 1884, he might be very cer-
tam OF being appointed to succeed Stanley
Matthews, for he is from Michigan, which
is IN the circuit Matthew'S represented, and
his preeminent fitness is admitted. But Pres
ident Harrison is not likely to appoint a
mugwump to the supreme court, so that.
for the present Judge Cooley will
rise no higher in official life that he has
gotten. However, he is not discontented,
much as he would like to end his career on
the supreme bench
A PREVIOUS SACRIFICE.
He gave up an income larger than his
present salary TO take the present place
from a sense of duty, believing, that his
experience and knowledge peculiarly fitted
hlm TO serve the people in 1t. The result
Justliies has sacrifice for there can be no
doubt among those at all familiar with the
inner workings of the commissioner.
especially during the first year OF its exist
ence, that Cooley saved it again and again, at
critical moments, from going on the rocks.
re 10, g Il.
tects IN the law under which it was work.
ing, was largely due to Judge Cooley's wis
dom, knowledge and courage
1he commission took some serious risks
that first year and came through them all
safely, chiefly because Judge Cooley was at
its head
THE JUDGE PROUD OF 1T.
Now, Judge Cooley is neither unaware of
all this nor indifferent to it. He is very
proud of it, and does not always conceal
his pride. 1t is praiseworthy pride though
Tor 1t makes him particularly the guardian
or the Interstate commission law,
and the custodian of the interstate COM
merce commission. 1t was in this
capacity that he expressed such strong
condemnation of Commissioner Alsace +.
Walkers action in leaving the commission
last spring to accept IA $4,000 place as
president Of the Western Railroad Associa-
tloh. JuuRe cooley spoke or lt almost as u
breach of trust for a man TO leave the COM
mission TO serve the railroad with the ex-
perience and Information which he had
gained IN the service of the government.
A DANGER.
He pointed out then how easy it would
| be for the railroads TO convert the commis-
sion to their own uses if they could induce
other commissioners to follow Comnlis-
sioner Walkers example, and then put men
OF their own selection in the vacancies
1t Is not at all likely that Judge Cooley
will be the first TO follow Commissioner
Walkers example,
In this connection curious report is in
circulation to the effect that Senator Ed
munds, who, with Commissioner Walker,
read the law, and who was instrumental in
procuring his appointment as one of the
republican members Of tho commission, has
succeeded with the help of some of the
railroad magnatesl in arranging 50 that
Commissioner Walkers place on the COM
mission. shall not be- filed until Commis-
sioner Walkers success in bis new place is
assured-so that Commissioner Walker
may be his own SUCCESSOR. If not Senator
Edmonds will try TO rid himself of u possi-
bic rival for the Senate by having Judge
Veazey, now on the Vermont supreme
court, appointed to the vacancy.