Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-15
\ BIG DEBATE.
Mr.. Tucker on the Constitution.
Mr.. Cleveland.

There was debate between two we'll
known iurists Friday evening when
John Randolph Tucker, Of Virginia,
president OF the American bar Associa-
ton, and Merlin w. Cooke, president OF
the New York State Bar Association,
discussed "The Constitution OF the
United States" before the Patria CLUB,
ut Sherry's, saws the New York Tribune.
Ex-Judge ArnOux, Tie president OF the
club. was in the char. Mr.. Tucker
argued in favor of a government founded
upon the sovereignty OF the people OF
the various States, and Mr.. Cooke IA
yored moro centralized government.
Mr.. Tucker began his address with an
elaborate review of the history OF the
English Constitution. He then spoke
Of the difference between the American
and English constitutions. Ito called
attention TO the proprietary, provincial.
and charter forms of government OF the
British colonies in America, which were
modelled after the British Parliament,
but had no king, no lords, no rank, and
no ecclesiastical establishment From
tins he traced the origin OF the American
Constitution, as created 10y the will OF
sovereign people.
81 believe the Federal Constitution"
he said, "to be the best hope for the
welfare and elevation Of our people.
Mr.. Cooke called the American Con
stitution the revealed will of the people
The speaker then discussed the meaning
OF sovereignty as applied TO acommunlty.
He said that it denoted the possession OF
the highest or supreme power over It's
government. At the end of the discus
sion ex-Judge Noah Davis said, nspcak
Ing Of Mr.. Tucker: ellis name If by ru-
NOR connected with the highest law office
IN the country. | would be proud to
see him grace tho position of Attorney
General in Mr.. Cleyeland's Cabinet.
DID NOT SEE MR. CLEVELAND.
John Randolph Tucker, Of Virginia,
reached the city late Thursday night,
SAYS the II'Orid, and became the guest
Of Orlando Il. Potter, who served with
him in Congress. Mr.. Tucker intended
TO call upon Mr.. Cleveland yesterday,
but laborel under the impression that
Cleveland had gone to Lakewood early
in the morning. Mr.. Cleveland had
actually left the city WIN Mr.. Tucker
learned OF his mistake. The
famous Virginian. who has been
slated either for Attorney General
or Secretary of State, was not
summoned here, Nj. Potter said last
night, bv the President-elect. Mr..
Potter said: "Mr. Tucker came on a
special mission. He is to be the guest
OF honor at reception Of the Reform
Club tomorrow night. VIII he enter
the Cabinet? Mr.. Cleveland alone can
answer that question. | trust Mr..
Tucker will not be overlooked. Surely
Mr.. Cleveland could choose no one Of
greater ability. A man who is President !
of the American Bar Association, whose
reputation as an authority on consti |
tuiional law is international. and whose |
fitness for any office cannot be ques-
toned, certainly Is entitled TO cOnsidera- !
ton But / have no night to speak, !
either for Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Fucker. !
it isl question which they must deter
mine. have hopes, however, that Mr.. |
Tucker Will be in the Cabinet some
whore.
1t would occasion no surprise if the |
Virginian goes to Lakewood Sunday, |
though if MIR. Cleveland should return
to town for a few hours Monday, as it
was limited he might yesterday, Mr..
Tucker may not see him until then,
CONFERENCE WITH Mr.. CLEVELAND.
The visit of J. Randolph Tucker to
Mr.. Cleveland on Friday, says the New |
a O. =
more than ordinary significance. Mr..
fuckers name has been mentioned in
connection with the Encouragement |
ship IN Mr.. Clevelsnd's Cabinet, and it |
is believed that his conference with Mr.. |
Cleveland yesterday related to that mat
ter. Mr.. Tucker is a lawyer Of high |
standing and ability. Since his confer
ence with Mr.. Cleveland yesterday the |
Cabinet-makers have put his name on
their states as among the certainties."