St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-10
Names of Four Eminent Law
yers Sent to Gov. MeP-
riam. {
Two New District Judges Will
Shortly DON the Err
mine. |
Party Lines WillNot Be Close
ly Drawn on This |
Question.
The Bar Association Selects
Messrs. Kerr, Egan, Villas
and Sanborn. |

In response to a general invitation to
the members of the Ramsey county bar,
about l5O gentlemen were present in the
United States court room yesterday aft
ernoon. The meeting was called for
the purpose of extracting from
the bar preferences to be recon-
mended to Gov. Merriam for the
positions of district judges, TWO Offices
created by the bill providing for that
number of additional district Judges for
the Second judicial district. Chairman
Williams, of the bar association, pre-
sided, and A. M. Ozmun acted as secre
tary. The first step taken was to adopt
motion inviting every member OF the
profession present to vote, since the
meeting was held under the auspices
of the bar association. Judge Flandrau
made his report as q member of the
committee appointed by the bar associa-
lion a few olaysag0 to confer with the
governor and ascertain his views upon
the appointments about to be made. He
stated that the governor had expressed
desire to the committee to receive the
recommendation of the
- RAMSEY COUNTY BAR
upon the matter of the Judgeshlps. The
speaker then nominated as one of the
candidates Col. G.. ID. Kerr, and closed
by urging that it be made unanimous.
c.. e. Otis stated that the governor
was anxious to ignore party lines, and
his opinion was that there should be
Democrat and Republican appointed.
He moved that eight names be selected,
which a. committee should present to
the governor from which to choose the
two judges. This motion was heartily
seconded all over the house and seemed
for moment to solve the problem to
the satisfaction of large number pres
ent.
Gen. SanborIl moved to take ar in
formal ballot of every mans choice, and
those receiving the greatest number OF
votes should be voted down to the re-
quired number to be presented to the
governor.
1t was conceded that Col. Kerr should
receive one of the nominations. Some
wanted the secretary to cast the ballot
for him aSthe meetings. choice. Amend
ments to Mr.. Otis motion we're offered
changing the eight names to only two.
who were
TO BE RECOMMENDED.
Gordon f. Cole expressed himself to
the effect that the bar should not, now
that it had the privilege to suggest, die
tate to the governor whom he should
appoint. Two names presented to him
would give him no opportunity OF exeF-
should not take upon itself to prescribe
all imperative appointment to a public
office. He thought that the motion for
eight names should prevail.
Cd. OBrien suggested that a gen
eral nomination be made, which would
be more IN harmony with the idea OF a
non-partisan appointment. Ii both
were Democrats or Republicans it made
no ditference--the ability, character.
and learning of the individual should be
preferred. s.. 49,. a.
Cries for question prompted Mr..
Bramhall to offer an amendment to the
original motion, making four the num-
ber OF names to be presented to the gov
ernor. This was unanimously carried.
and the original motion being put was
carried as amended.
Gen. Cole and Judge Young were ap-
pointed tellers and the meeting pro-
ceeded to take an informal ballot upon
the first candidate. Out of 147 votes
cast, G. d. Kerr received 66, l.. NJ.
Villas IS, w. ii. Sanborn 20. J. J. Egan
IA, John w. Willis s, II. p. Williams 8,
Mr. Oyitt s, and the remainder we're
scattered among four or five others.
BY unanimous consent the secretary
was instructed to cast the formal ballot
for Col. Kerr.
Tranquility being restored. Judge
Flandreau, III fitting terms, reviewed
the professional career of Hon. Lew
NJ Villas and placed him in nomination.
John w. Willis, in eloquent terms.
seconded the nomination. Mr. Villas
name as the ideal for
THE JUNIOR REPRESENTATIvE -
was the signal for vigorous applause :
Abreast with Mr.. Villas. the names OF
Judge Egan and Walter III. Sanborn
were proposed.
OF the former, Mr.. Heard recalled
what public servant Judge Egan had
been: how he had worked IN the midst
of his fellows for the past twenty odd
years, croWning himself with that glory
which comes to him who labOrS faith
fully, diligently and effectively. Judge
Egan had occupied the position of
county attorney several years. He is
learned in the law, an able advocate,
and fit and worthy person for the
highest honor that could be bestowed
upon him.
Mr. Markham and d. W. Lawler sec
onded the nomination in erudite
speeches.
C. E. Otis offered the name of Walter
Ii. Sanborn. es.;
G. n. Bell earnestly seconded the
nomination.
CD. O'Brien paid each candidate an
eloquent tribute and seconded all the
nominations.
Formal ballots were then taken upon
each nominee separately and the names
of Hon. Levi NJ. Villas, Judge J. j.
Egan and Walter II. Sanborn were
added to that of Col. Kerr, and the four
names, without distinction as to the
two favorites, will be presented to the
governor. The meeting had been long
and earnest one, and the court room
clock chimed the hour of o'clock when
motion to adjourn emptied the seats,
and the satisfied barristers left the
building perfectly happy at theif
choice.
NOT. A LAUGHMAKER.