The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-02-11
JUDGE JACKSON.
President Harrison Surprises the
Country by Appointing a Democrat,
And In Turn Is Severely Criticized by Re-
pubiicans-His Selection is the Result
of riendship Formed While tho
wn Served In the Senate,

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-The nomina-
tion of Judge Howell Il. Hackson to be
an associate justice of the supreme
sourt of the United States came upon
the republican members of the Senate
like a thunder-clap, and there is no
Disgusting the fact that the action of
the republican president in appointing
n democrat to this place has raised
orecze in his own camp, The most
pro nounced man in this particular
Is Senator Dolph who Thursday
afternoon criticised it in a
not very kindly manner. Mr., Dolph's
feelings are, perhaps, injured and
wounded more because he thought the
president ought to have appointed him
than because he appointed democrat
Mr.. Dolph has had his judicial rod up
.ever since there has been any talk of
vacancy, and was aggrieved because
the president did not appoint him in
stead of Mr. Shiras at the time of the
last vacancy.
The democrats have been placed in
rather peculiar position by this ap-
pointment. They made their fight on
Judge McComas on the grounds that
the president of an outgoing admins
tration ought not to make any life ap-
pointees, and not because his appointees
were republicans. 1t was principle
they were fighting for, and now that
that principle has an application that
strikes home, they are in dilemma as
to how they can most easily wriggle
out of it. If they vote to confirm Judge
T., 1N,rt n
condemned for their attitude in oppos-
ing the confirmation of Judge McComas.
The presentation of the matter from
the president himself is to this effect.
He said he was determined to appoint a
southern man to the vacancy, and sc
far, and only so far, should geography
ical or any other considerations enter
into the case. He believed that an ap
pointment to the supreme court, the
highest tribunal in the world, he
would betray his own oath of Office
if he allowed any consideration 9th
er than those of the highest eff
cheney and ability to serve the country
enter into the question. Mr.. Harri
son, IN casting about for southern re
publican for the appointment, founc
only two men available-Don Parde,
and Emory Speer. Gen. Harrison
frankly said. that in his estimation
neither of these men was qualified for
position upon the supreme bench. Mr.
Harrison's own explanation is that h
could find no southern republican whom
he felt was worthy of the appointment
and he was bound to do his duty by tn
supreme court regardless of politics.
No one questions the quality of tn
appointment, and Jackson's qualitca
tions for the place are acknowledge
by republicans. as well as democrats
1t is good appointment, is the un
versal comment, and Mr.. Harrison de
clares that that is the only comment G
Endorsement he desired. Of course sue
an unusual act is commented upon, q
has been said, in all sorts of ways, an
personal and political motives ascribe
to the president, but those best il
formed believe that the president had n
motive further than has been stateC
If he had they will appear in the dt
velopments of the immediate future.