Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-25
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

WASHINGTON, March 24.-Notwith-
standing the fact that the obsequies of the
late Justice Matthews have not yet been
concluded, no Office is more extensively
canvassed than the vacant one of the Su-
preme Court. Those who try their hand at
assisting President Harrison to make Sc
lection for the place find it difficult to
single out any prominent public man who
fills the bill, and 1t is therefore rather freely
predicted that Harrison will follow the ex-
ample of Cleveland in his last appointment,
and, choose lawyer of high local repute,
rather than of national repute.
Looking among the Senators none ap-
pear to be at all up to the requirements of
the place except some of the old heads, who
are too old, like Edmunds, Hoar and
Evarts, and Senator Spooner, who is in his
47th year. Senator Spooner has made so
high a reputation as a lawyer since his
advent in the Senate, and President Har-
rison has asked his advice so frequently in
matters pertaining to his administration,
thus showing the confidence he reposes in
his Judgment, that many think the brilliant
young Senator may be asked to accept a
seat on the Supreme bench. The Senator's
nearest friends assert, however, that he
would not permit himself to be retired from
the possibilities of politics in which he may
win higher preferment than even the United
States Senate or the Supreme bench.
oHIo's CLAIMS FOR THE PLACE.
1t is an impression with some that the
vacancy will be filled from Ohio, as the
death of Chief Justice Waite and of Justice
Matthews leaves that State and district
without representative on the bench, but
Ohio presents no name which appears to
meet with appreciation, and there is no
precedent or custom to follow in the present
instance. When Justice Strong was re-
tired the vacancy was filled from Missis-
sippi by the appointment of Secretary
Lamar. The vacancy occasioned by the
death of Chief Justice Waite, of Ohio, was
filled by the selection Of. NJ. W. Fuller, of
Chicago.
In making his selection to fill the exist
ing vacancy, moreover, President Harrison
will doubtless take into consideration the
probability of his having to choose one or
two, and perhaps three, other Supreme
Judges during his term. Justices Fields,
Miller and Bradley have all
passed the age fixed for re-
tirement. Jutice Bradley is about rs
and Field and Miller are past 70, being
nearly the same age. None of the three are
particularly robust, even for their age, and
it is probable that all three will wish to be
retired before the 4th of March, 1898.
Democrats say, however, that Justice Field
must hold on at least until after the Presi-
Dental election of 1892, when, in the event
of Democratic success, he could be replaced
by Judge of his own political faith.
THE CABINET NOT PERMANENT.
Some of the gossips fancy that Attorney
General Miller, the Presidents late law
partner, will be appointed, but this view
does not have many supporters. 1t is still
a quite general opinion that Mr.. Miller
went into the Cabinet merely to help Mr..
Harrison out of disagreeable complication
at the last moment-to assist him in the
construction of temporary Cabinet, as 1T
were-with the understanding that he would
soon resign.
Politicians very close to Mr.. Harrison
say, as was outlined in The DISPATCH
several weeks ago, that Mr.. Miller's resig-
nation will soon be forthcoming, that Secre-
tary Noble will be made Attorney General,
and Assistant Clarkson presented with the
Interior portfolio. These persons also sug-
gest that since the death of Justice
Matthews Miller may replace Judge
Gresham, and the latter be promoted to the
Supreme bench. They think it would be
good movement to take Gresham out of the
political field, as he might otherwise be as
troublesome an element in the convention
of 1892 as in that of 1888.
Taking the sentiment of the hotel cor
ridors and of the politicians generally, it is
quite clear that the appointment of Gre
sham would be the most popular that could
be made, and the most polite, also, as it
would strenthen in more ways than one the
Presidents denomination to succeed him
self.