Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-18
Some Political Complications May
Follow Yesterdays Nominations.
GOV. PORfERS DEFEAT UNEXPECTED
His Friends May Try to Put Him
in the Senate.
HARRIS WILL LIKELY WIN

There are said to be some political COM
plications likely to grow out OF the judicial
appointment made for Tennessee yester-
day. Judge Clark, who was named TO
succeed Judge Key on the federal pench
in that state, won, as a compromise seiec-
tior iE what for some weeks had been
very epirited contest. Several prominent
lawyers were pressed upon the Presidents
attention, and the bar of the state took
sides freely and earnestly. The favorfte
candidate was ex7Gov. Porter, who, having
been named for the place last summer, re-
signed his post as minister to Chile and
came home. expecting to enter upon the
duties of the life office. The Senate's fail
ure to take action on the nomination COM
plicated matters, and forced a wait until
the reassembling of Congress. Gov. Por-
ter's friends, however, and he himself con-
fidently expected that the President would
again send in his name.
The Question of Age.
The question of age is said to have finally
influenced the decision reached. Gov. Por-
ter Is sixty-eight, and mention was made
of that last summer. Some Senators
thought a working judge should be young
er. The President was finally brought
around to the same opinion. Judge Clark
is only nifty. and Is represented as other
wise filling the bill
But although sixty-eight, Gov. Porter is
q man Of vigor and fine presence, and his
friends declare that this defect will not
shelve him. The President Is said to feel
kindly toward him, but no opportunity now
exists. at least in Tennessee, for this feel
ing in the way of an appointment to be
manifested. Naturally, therefore, there is
talk Of making Gov. Porter political fac
tor again
May Pit Him Against Harris.
The newly-elected legislature of Tennes-
see has a democratic majority on joint bal
lot, and will choose a successor to Mr.. Har-
ris Mr.. Harris will be candidate to sue
ceed himself, and has been up to this time
the only democrat prominently mentioned
for the place. But the republicans are
anxious to defeat him, and have been
sounding sentiment here and there In an
effort to make a combination capable of
accomplishing that purpose. They are will
ing to take democrat, but they are op-
posed to Mr.. Harris. They would accept
Gov. Porter and If twelve or fifteen demo-
cratic members can be induced to support
an independent movement in the legislature
a lively contest will take place at Nashville
next month.
One of the Tennessee visitors to Wash
ington, who came in the interests neither
of Judge Clark nor of Gov. Porter. was in
terrcgated about this matter today by
representative of The Star.
II doubt" this gentleman replied, 1.-The
willingness of Gov. Porter to accept the
senatorship at the hands of such COM
bination. 1t is a great Office, and some
timos an independent offer of ii is tempt
ing. But Gov. Porter is a democrat, has
held the partys commission in several
places of great honor, and will hardly be
Inclined to close his long career as an
alien.
A Desire to Retire Harris.
There is a desire in certain quarters in
Tennessee to retire Mr.. Harris. The re-
publicans are negotiating to that end, and
there are democrats who would like If they
could to help the scheme along. But l
don't think the project negotiable. Mr..
Harris, like all downright men, has his enc
mics and detractors. The opposition to him
In his own party at home is chiefly confined
to the cities, and has grown out of his de-
fiant attitude on the silver question. But
what he calls the bills and dollars of the
state-those sections where the farmers
and plain people are strong-are solidly for
him.
Don't Think He Can BE Beaten.
'T don't think he can be beaten. Then
his hold on his old army comrades is un-
shakable. Then Mr.. Harris has served
with distinction in the Senate, and the peo-
pie Of Tennessee appreciate the fact. They
are proud of the fact, too. that he is so
unobtrusively dead game, both politically
and physically-a quality that wins regard
among all people. Mr.. Harris. in my judg-
ment, is certain of another term"