Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-01-26

Speculation About Whom Governor Rcy.
noids is Likely to Name for the Judi
s,.l

Speculation About Whom Governor Rev.
noids is Likely to Name for the Judi
cial Positions.
Philadelphia Record special
WILMINGTON, DEL, Jan. 2l-Within
few days Governor Reynolds will be called
upon 10 appoint chief justice of the
superior court of the State of Delaware,
and also an associate justice resident in
Kent county. Chief Justice Colnagys has
already rendered his resignation, in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the Joint
resolution adopted by the General AS
sembly, allowing him and Judge Houston
Il pension Of S4,UOO per annum for life, in
the event of their resignation within Is
days, and 1t is believed that Judge Houston
will do likewise.
The question of the succession is now
agtating the members OF the State bar.
The bench of Delaware ever since it had
an existence has been conspicuous for the
ability and probity of the judges, and
naturally there is great anxiety that this
honorable standard be maintained in the
selections that Governor Reynolds will be
called upon to make.
a LONG LIST 70 CHOOSE FROM.
Among the members of the New Castle
county bar the lawyers most prominently
suggested for chief justice are John II.
Rodney of New Castle and ex-Congressman
Charles 3. Lore OF Wilmington. Naturally,
the name of Hon Thomas f. Bayard is also
mentioned i'll this connection, but it is
considered extremely improbable that he
would accept the position.
The Kent bar presents the names of ex-
Congressman John b. Pennington, Charles
IL. 3. Day and Attorney-genera John r.
Nicholson. by many the appointment of
the latter us Chief Justice is regarded as
extremely probable, as it would make a
vacancy i'll the Office of encouragement
and enable Governor Reynolds 10 beStow
this office upon Lewis q. Nandegrift of
Wilmington, who was candidate for the
place when Mr.. Nicholson was appointed
1t is no secret that Governor Reynolds was
very DESTROYS of appointing Nandegriit at
the time, hut the pressure from Kent
county in favor of Nicholson was so strong
and unanimous that it could not be re.
sisted
Of the members of the Sussex county
bar the name OF Alfred p Robinson, of
Georgetown, naturally suggests itself for
the office of chief justice, and his APP
pOintment will, in all probability, be more
strongly recommended by members OF the
bar generally than that Of any other law
yer in the state. Mr.. Robinson's abilities
and peculiar fitness for the office are
conceded by every one, and it Is u fact
beyond question that his appointment
would give satisfaction to the entire bar
ain " q SteaI maturity "a INV Peoplc VI
the State.
The Chief Justice can be taken from any
one of the three counties; but the associate
justice OF the superior court to succeed
Houston must come from Kent, where
Judge Houston resides. There are three
associate justices Of the superior court, one
from each county. Secretary OF State u.
L. Marvel is among those prominently
mentioned for judicial honors, but as he is
a resident of Sussex he ia ruled mn Iinlnr
the condition as they now exist. Notwith-
standing this, his name is included in all
calculations, and one combination sug-
gestGd is the elevation of Associate Justice
Cullen, who is from Sussex, to the Chief
Justiccship, and the appointment of Secre-
| t0ry Marvel us associate justice for Sussex
county in place of Judge Cullen. 1t is also
held that even without this combination,
secretary Marvel could make himself eli
| gible by changing his residence over into
Kent county Immediately after his APP
| pointment At any rate, MIR. Maryers
| name Is included in all calculations, MS IL
| is generally conceded that his appointment
| would be creditable i'll every respect and
that he would prove valuable member Of
the state judiciary.
| Nearly all the conjectGres are based on
| the assumption that whatever selections
| Governor Reynolds makes will be from
| the ranks of the Democratic lawyers, but
| as Judge Houston is q Republican in poll
| ties, and the only member of the court of
| that political persuasion. it Is held that his
| successor should also be a Republican
| With this idoa in view the name OF James
| Pennewill of Dover will be urged upon
the consideration Of the governor.
] Whatever Governor Reynolds may de-
eide to do, he will not lack the advice and
| recommendation Of the leading members