The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-03

Why He is Said to Have Dropped in
on Atlanta.

Judge Marshall Clark's Resignation
Uneovers a Prodigious Contention
for Judicial Successorships- Gov.
Northen Has a Delicate Ravel to
DisentangIe, and the Alleged Design
ofthe Interior Secretary is Con-
fronted by a Powerful Array of Lee
aal Resistants.
Atlanta. Ga, Sept 2.-There is an in
side story to the vacancy which now ex-
lists on the superior court bench Of the
Atlanta circuit. II develops that the res
ignation, that is, the retirement, Of Judge
Clark and the attendant circumstances
are connected with political comoina-
tion and family understanding. At the
same time the secret of Secretary Hoke
Smiths three-days' stay in Atlanta this
week is satisfactorily explained.
TIE sECRETARY's ALLEGED OBJECT.
The story goes that the expectations Of
Secretary Smiths law firm have not been
realized, and a deal was made by which
Judge PendleUon, one of the firm as it
was organized after Mr.. Smith became
Secretary of the Interior, should be trans
ferred to the bench in order to reduce ex-
penses, Judge Pendleton being the .recip-
lent of a first-rate salary from the Smith,
Glenn & Smith firm.
AT any rate, the movement looking to
the elevation of Judge Westmoreland of
the city court to the superior bench as
the successor to Judge Clark. and the APP
pointment of Judge Pendleton TO succeed
Judge Westmoreland, are said on good
authority to have originated in the law
Office of the Secretary of the Interior, and
the object of his visit here was to see it
through.
''THE PLOT THICKENs."
Strong efforts were made to settle the
whole business yesterday before Mr..
Smiths departure, but another faction of
the bar caught on to the combination, and
Immediately went to the governor and
succeeded in having his action postponed
in order to get clear away from the
muddle Gov Northen left the city yes
terday, and will not come back until
things are Strengthened out. 1t is said
that the governor signiied his willingness
10 appoint Judge PendletOn to the
superior bench and leave Judge
Westmoreland where he is but this
did not accord with the slate,
and was not agreed to. The city court
lulEt receives rs1.DDO salary NlAE bllC
superior bench pays only 1900. Judge
Pendleton would not accept the $1,000
place, but on account of the additional
honor, Judge WestmOreland, who is
wealthy, would like to 60 up.
SOMEWHAT OF A FAMILY AFFAIR.
Judge Westmoreland and Judge Clark
are related, by the way, and Judge Ham
mond, who preceded Judge Clarke,
is a brother-in-law of Judge
Clark and Judge Westmoreland beth;
which makes the Atlanta cir
cult judgeship something of a family af
fair. There are said TO be other
the fact that it is said
to have originated in the Office of Smith,
Glenn & Smith is significant in more ways
than one.
STRONG OPPOSITION DEVELOPS.
Secretary Smiths trip to the capital to
see tine governor is explained by to-days
DEVELOPMENTS. He went there to get his
men through, and he would have sue
ceeded. too. but for the fact, as stated,
that another faction of the bar, headed
By Col y. J. Hammond, Calhoun, King
and Spalding Capt Harry jackson, Dor
sey. Brewster and Howell, and other
leading lawyers-old-time opponents of
Secretary Smiths firm A. took up the
fight. No appointment in years has so
stirred up the bar.
THE GOVERNOR IN A DILEMMA.
Gov. Northen's action is the cause of
much speculation. His decision will be
difficult and delicate one TO make now, in
view of the several lines drawn on him
Incidentally, it is said that the slate
bears the name of Judge Marshall J.
Clark, whose resignation started the
ball rolling, for the supreme bench to
succeed Justice Simmons or Bleckley, in
case the latter should resign soon, as it is
reported he will.