New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-29
MR. PECKHAMS NOMINAIION.
SENATOR PLATTS VIEWS ON TIE
SUBJECT
If HE IS FITTED FOR THE PLACE THE DUTY
OF THE REPUBLICANS Is TO NoIE i'"
HIM REGARDLESS or SENATOR HILL

lBY TELEGRAPH 70 TIE THlrVS".i
Washington Jan est is expected that AT us
sitting Tomorrow the Senate Committee %" inc
Judiciary will consider the nomination oil w hee'er
H. Peckham To- De an Associate justice o' 'hc
Supreme Court. Whether any action VIII ne
taken is generally regarded az somewhat uouo'-
ful, but 1t seems rather probable that II So II
will be 10 report the case 10 the senate "l''io"'
recommendation. or course senator Ill., VIM
regards the nomination Of Mr.. FechHah d. "
personal anront to himself. is sira'HlhE every
nerve To prevent favorable action. either by u'e
committee or the Senate. but with what pros
pcct of success it is impossible t. say.
In this relation some observations made ny
Senator PLAT IN conversation with a Tribune
CORRESPONDENT last night are highly interesting
and II his views are shared by Republican
Senators generally his expression OF them must
also be regarded exceedingly llPoI'"
Senator Platt Is a member Of the Juclclaiy '"'-
mittee. and he was asked what he thought oil
the prospect of Mr.. Peckham's continuation
He replied:
Il cannot say I have not yet made up my
own mind how shall vote. | am trying 70 hiu
out all can about Mr. Peciham in order to ne
able to form correct Judgment as 10 HIS "'''
ity and fitness for the Office.
II suppose that YOU have heard many con-
Trajectory statements IN regard 10 po'"' 'e
marked the correspondent.
"Oh yes. The men who opposed To the ap-
nointn1cnt assert most positively that Mr.. Peck
ham Is a cranky. prcjudiced man. wholly desu-
tute of the judicial temperament: while those
who favor the appointment are quite as POSITIVE
in their assertions th@t such IS not the case. ana
that his fitness IL equal To his ability. | believe
1t is generally admitted that his ahilty as Il
lawyer is fully sufficient. and that the "hiy open
question is as to his Illness.
"Of course this is not the only consideration
urged by some of the men who are opposed 10
the appointment" suggested the correspondents
"By no means. and on that point there are
some things | would like TO say. thinK IL Is
time for the country 10 understand that tn" sen
ate "a a body is not specially concerned III inc
considerations To- which you have alluded. Ihat
certainly is true. So far as know 81 the h"p""-
lican Senator'S. II is grossly unjust To- say mat
If they vote for tho confirmation ~ Mt. Ie'A-
ham they are taking the sid" of ID" i'r' siirht
against Senator I}il or that u they vote ASAiS,
confirmation They ar" SONG WIN senator ~
against the President. :" far af ann ''ii'c' ii'i
the only pcrtincut questions IN TINS cog any oihFr
case relate to thr fitness and ability az ~" I"'-
son nominated and 10 not intend 90 lc iniiu-
cnccd I'm the least degree los any other c'nsidrih-
ton II IS not fl~ mo Il investigate or h' liNH-
sufel IN aruDu bN the Nl'ii''0 ''i''' '''f'
this nomination or that may lead - any DINER
nomination President Cleveland may max" IN
my Judgment opposition 20 an appointment can
not be justified upon any other IMAM lp"h,
a,rounds-the public welfare and the moral ana
intellectual fitness ana ability II tAr man whom
II is proposed To- appoint. No. not 'n me Sr"uh'
Of so-cacd courtesy II the Administration
were Republican, and the l'r sident sho".I nom.
mate a man from my state To- q hiSh Judl'lal
Office without consulting me should very likely
feel hurt. but tina; would not JUSTIFY M" IN tIN-
ing 10 defeat his appointment unless N' la'h'd
ability or was otherwise unfit FOR the place.
Now take this case. The Office % which MI
Peckhim has been nominated Is ~ supreme I'M
portauce The time may concluded. II some
times seems to me t. be approaching when the
safety # not tho very existence. Of our lnstiu-
tions may depend upon The integrity. ilrnn"ss
and wisdom Of the supreme Court oi the United
States For my part / cannot consent L" the
appointment Of any man 10 that tribunal Who
does not possess the highest qudiih ATOMS. VINO
does not broadly comprehend and thoroughly
believe in the principles upon which our Gov
eminent rests. or who lacks the ability and cour-
age to defend and cnfore them With this View
of my duty YOU see how impossible 10 would bc
for me TO take any account OF The Democratic
party quarrel I'm the state 81 Ncw-York. or OF
any political motive II tn" President In making
the nomination or 81 Senator llill In opposing IT
II Will be Il sad day for this country when a
nominate for high judicial oiiic" shall become
a football OF party factions In the Senate 81 tn"
United States. Taking the lowest View II the
matter. I cannot Sec what party advantage the
Republicans in the Senate could expect 10 reap
from siding with either II the democratic fac
lions in New-York politics.