The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-17
SIX CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Two Democrats and Four Republicans A
pointed by the President.


WASHINGTON. Dec 1G.-To-day President
Harrison sent to the Senate the names of
six OF the nine new circuit judges. Their
names ana districts are AS follows:
First Judicial lCircuit-wILLIAM L. PUTNAM,
of Maine
secOnd-NATHANIEL CHAPMAN. of Con-
nectcut
Third~GEoRGE NJ DALLAS, of Pennsyl-
vania.
Fourth-NATHAN GoFF. of West Virginia.
Sixth-WILLIAM III. TAFT. of Ohio.
seventh-WILLIAM A WOODS, of Indiana.
As the Senate was in session to-day but
short time it's members had ample oppor-
tunity for q formal discussion among them
selves of these nominations. Upon per-
sonal and professional grounds every one
of them was highly praised. Democratic
Senators were pleased with the representa-
tion given their party III the appointment
of Democratic judges in the First and
Third districts. Republican Senators gen.
orally declared that any President had
never sent to the confirming body stronger
or more brilliant list of names. Such crIti-
cism as was made was political. and that
was very circumscribed.
The nomination of Mr.. Putnam, of Maine.
for the First circuit has been expected.
Mr.. Putnam is said to be one of the best
lawyers in New England. lie has been the
candidate for Governor, but kept his hands
clean from the Garcelon outrage. He was
member of the joint fisheries commission
and Mr.. Cleveland came near making him
Chief-justice instead of Mr.. Fuller.
The promotion of Judge Chapman from
the United States District Court of Con-
necticut sccords with the recommendation
of both the Connecticut Senators.
WANTED REPUBLICAN.
There is o feeling among some Pennsyl-
vania and Delaware Republican Senators
that the President has made q political
mistake In giving the judgeship in the
Third circuit to George NJ. Dallas. They
feel that the Republican party of Della
ware. which has made such progress In
Wrestling that State from Democratic con-
troll, should have been encouraged by the
appointment Of Mr.. Spruance. who was
recommended by both Senator Higgins and
his Democratic colleague. Senator Gray.
There is no disposition shown to make any
unpleasant opposition to the confirmation
of Mr.. Dallas. but an effort will doubtless
be made to persuade the President to re-
consider this appointments Dallas
is a name of evil omen to many
Republicans, being associated with
the tariff of 1912. which was made
possible by Vice-president Dallas's viola
tlon of pledges and desertion of the cause
of the protectionlsts This Mr.. Dallas is
o nephew of that Vice e-president, and he
has very high reputation at the Phila-
delphia bar. The President felt that he
should give some recognition to the Demo-
Gratis In the judicial appointments. and it
happened that Maine and Pennsy lvania
presented the best men. Had he made
Democratic appoin tine n Is in the South be
would In each instance have given the
circuit benches Democratic majoritles.
The nomination of General Goff for the
Fourth circuit is quite highly approved,
but many Republicans feel that to remove
him from politics is unwise at this time. as
1t cripples the party in another border
State where 1t had made progress towards
overthrowlng the Democracy. The ap-
pointme2t 10 doubtless agreeable to Gen.
Goff himself. " ho has been quoted recently
saying that he had spent twenty years
and the equivalent of large fortune in
fighting the Republican battles in West
Virginia. At first flush the appointment of
General Gof might appear TO mean that
Stephen b. Elkins would not be made Sec
retary of War, as the President mi ght not
be expected to give two such important
offices to single Democratic State. 1t is
u eIs
that this only clears the way for the APP
pointment of Mr. Elkins to the Cabinet
without making General Gorf feel that he
had been left out of consideration.
The name of Taft for the Ohio circuit
is highly praised. Judge Taft Is now the
Solicitor general. and his promotion leaves
another vacancy for the President to FILL
Mr.. Taft il one of the finest lawyers and
jurists IN the country. is young and vigor-
ous. and promises to give his circuit long
life of usefulness.
THE PROMOTION OF WOODS.
There were few inquiries as to who is
Judge Woods, nominated for the Indiana
circuit. for his name is familiar to every
politician in the country. and probably
hated by all blind Democrats on account
of his decision in the "blocks of five" cir
cular letter case shortly after the campaign
of 1885. The Democrats will attempt to
defeat the nomination in all probability.
but when they learn that the lines are to
be drawn on party politics and Woods Is
fought only as Republican and there is
no disposition on the part of ans Republi-
can Senator to vote against his confrma-
ti0n. the opposition will melt away.
Woods is referred to by Senators Teller
Hoar. Justice Harlan and others who know
him. as one of the best lawyers i'm the
country, and man with character far
above reprOach.
Chairman HOar, of the Senate committee
on the Judiciary. said this afternoon he
would not coll a meeting of this committee
to consider these nominations until after
the holidays unless requested to do so by
the President. which is improbable. as the
House refuses TO adjourn from next Satur-
day till Monday or Tuesday. Jan. 4 or 5, as
is now proposed. Two of the circuit judges
nominated-Chipman and Woods-are at
present district judges. and the President
does not intend TO nominate their success
sors until their nominations for the Cir
emit Courts confirmed. as there does
not now exist vacancies in the district
judgeships. Besides the circuit Judges the
President to-day nominated Warren rruitt.
of Oregon. to be United States district
Judge for the district of Alaska.
The Senate to-day confirmed the follow
ing nominations:
Lorenzo Crounse OF Nebraska. an Assistant
Secretary OF the Treasury.
Vim. ID. Owen, Of Indiana, Superintendent of
immigration.
Collectors OF CHstoms-w Webster Flanagan.
Paso Del Norte, Tex; David Austin, Miami o.;
Josham G. Haggett, Dunkirk, n. Y; Henry Zos.
borne, Wilmington. Cal; Ed f. Hatch, of Ore
gon. district of Alaska; George Bingham, ap-
praiser of merchandise, district OF Buffalo
Greek, Y.
Chas. II. Westcott, of Michigan, supervising in
spector steam vessels eighth district.
limited stafAs Consuls-Iarn.a W III,