The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-24
Benton Hanchett, Of Saginaw, an Able Law
yer. Appointed to the Vacancy in the
Sixth Federal Circuit Court
Cleveland's Attorney General Likely to
Prove a Friend of Corporations.
0lney's Appointment Secured by Endicott,
Counsel for the Bell Telephone Company.
Which Is Now Fighting for Life
ANOTHER FEDERAL JUDGE.

Benton Hanchett of Michigan, Appointed
the Circuit Bench.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Fob. GAS predicted IN
these dispatches, President Harrison sent
to the Senate to-day a nomination for the
vacancy on the Circuit Bench caused by
the elevation of Judge jackson to the Su.
preme Court HIS selection of Benton
Hsnchett, of Michigan. as judge Of the
Sixth Federal Circuit Court TO succeed
Judge jackson was. however. q genuins
surprise 1t was as much of q surprise 60
Michigan men as to others. They had
united in recommending Thomas j.
O'Brien, of Grand Rapids. Mich. and ell the
political and Legal influence of Michigan
was behind Mr. O'Brien. The two Senn-
tors-Messrs. Stockbridge and Mcmillan
had urged OBrien in the strongest terms.
Ex-senator Thomas Palmer. of Michigan,
now president of the worlds fair commits
sion. had also said word for Mr.. O'Brien.
Naturally, therefore. il was surprise to.
day when the President sent in the nomi.
nation of q man whose name had not been
suggested. Indeed. Mr. Hsnchett had been
one of those most strongly urging the
choice of Mr.. OBrien. 1t seems, however.
that in making the nomination President
Harrison exercised his prerogative of abso-
lutte personal independence. he ignored
recommendations and political influence.
That ~he was tending this way be.
came apparent to the Michigan men on last
Saturday when they called at the
ened to their pleas for O'Brien and then
asked the significant question:
Suppose 1 nominate Benton Han chett
What W i'll you think of itP'
NJ NJ
said they would be greatly surprised. but
they added that Mr.. Hanchett was an esti.
mable man and an able lawyer. President
Harrison had heard of Hanchett in the
same way. Mr. Hanchett has long been q
conservative Republican in politics. When
en- effort was made to beat Senator Stock
bridge for reelection few weeks ago the
opposition combined on Hanchett, but the
latter declined to permit the use of his
pointment to the Supreme Court of Mlchi.
Lnoe.
There Is grave doubt about Hsnchett's
confirmation in the Senate. The judiciary
charge does not meet again until next
Monday. and that is only tive days before
the end of the session. Moreover. Demo.
cratic Senators have served formal notice on
Senator Mcmillan that they would contest
the confirmation to the bitter end. On the
other hand, a leading Republican Senator
said to-day that HE associates had finally
made no their mind 20 exercise their rights
as q majority up to March 4. aud shat they
would clean up the entire docket and con-
firm all nominations except that OF Nh.
Finley. named as arbitrator In the Chilian
claims.
Mr.. Hanchett is about fifty-fve years old
and in robust health. he lives in Saginaw,
Mich, and has long been recognized as one
OF the leading attorneys of the State. He
was known to the President and the AT.
torney- general by reputation. but neither
of them enjoyed his personal acquaInt-
ance. Although he has frequently been
named in connection with offices of vari.
Gus character, Mr.. Hanchett has steadily
declined political preferment. his only po-
sition of this sort being that of Republican
presidential elector In 1915
MIR. Hanchett Was Also Surprised.
SAGINAW. Mich, Feb. 23.-The announcement
that the President had sent the Senate the
name OF Hon. Benton Hanchett, OF Saginaw, az
judge OF the Sixth United States circuit, suo-
ceed Judge Howell Z. Jackson, was aeurprise 70
Saginaw people. as we'll as TO Mr.. Hanchett He
had not even q remote idea that his name had
been considered by the President. and would not
believe the report until assured by private teie
gram from Senator Mcmillan that such Is the
fact. Mr.. Hanchett had indorsed Hon. L. ].
O'Brien, OF Grand Rapids, for the position. Mr.
Hanchett has always sturdily refused political
sad % pds s snd has Ros Il
of his entire life policy should he do so, and he
will be forced to relinquish prac tice that nets
him fully $4,000 yearly.
He was born on a farm In Oneida county. New
York In 1886. At an early age be entered Fally
Seminary. at Fulton. n. y. from which he gradu.
ated He then entered tho Poughkeepsie Law
School, graduating in 1858. Some years later
he came 70 Michigan, locating In Saginaw In
1865. He is regarded as one or the ablest men,