Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-18
Baltimore Sun special.

4
by the Senate of the nomination of vii.
liam b. Hornblower of New York, ia
be an associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States has paved
the way for an unlimited discussion TO-
day as to whom President Cleveland
would select for the vacancy. In view
OF the fact that the Supreme Court has
asked for "a full complement of the bench
and that Mr.. Cleveland urged upon the
Judiciary committee Of the Senate to act
upon Mr.. Hornblower's nomination
after tho nomination had been in the
hands OF the committee for three mouths,
it is argued that the President will lose
no time in sending in another name to
| the Senate.
Who the fortunate gentleman will be
Is only matter Of speculation at the
present time. The President has not
discussed the question with his intimate
| friends. Senators, members of the
House of Representatives and others
taking an interest in such questions
here, however, discussed the appoint
ment in all of its phases. If vote of
the Senate and House could be taken on
the appointment Senator Gray of Della.
ware, would be chosen unanimously.
Certainly SO by the Senate, where he is
best known and where his judicial
| ability is best appreciated.
He shares with Senator Villas of
| Wisconsin, the honor of administration
| leadership on the floor of the Senate.
Those most ardently desiring his ap-
pointment have asked themselves the
| question; Can he be spared from the
Senate at this timer The further uues-
tion OF political complication will arise
In Delaware politics in case of Mr.,
Gray's transfer from the Senate TO the
supreme Bench. Should such transfer
take place the duty would devolye on
Governor Reynolds of appointing MIR.
Gray's successor or of calling a special
session OF the State Legislature to elect
Mr.. Gray's successor for the re-
mainder Of his term of five years. Della.
ware Democrats, il is stated, desire to
avoid the contingency Of bearing the
burden of electing Legislature which
would be called upon to choose two
United States Senators, one to succeed
Mr.. Gray and one to succeed Senator
hlgglns, whose term expires in March
next II Governor Reynolds should
decide to call the Legislature in special
session to elect Mr.. Gray's successor in
stead of making the appointment him
self, the question might prove an easy
one OF settlement, and Mr.. Gray's
chances of elevation to the bench would
be greatly increased.
In case the governor should adopt the
policy Of summoning the Legislature to
elect Mr.. Gray's successor, should Mr..
Gray become judge of the Supreme
Court, it is stated that ex. United States
Senator Thomas f. Bayard, now am.
bassador to the Court of st. James,
would become candidate for election
to the Senate. 1t is further stated that
should the judgeship be rendered Mr.,
Gray its acceptance would largely de-
pend upon the willingness of the Della
ware Legislature to elect Mr. Bayard
his successor in the Senate. If that
willingness should be demonstrated and
If the term of his successor should be
for tive years, thereby depriving the
new Legislature OF the duty of electing
two Senators at one session, Mr.. Gray
would see his way clear tn an accent.
ance of the judgeship if offered him.
lie is unwilling, in any sense, to
abandon the interests of his party in his
state and to open any avenue which
might lead TO the election of one or two
Republican Senators from his State.
If President Cleveland sent back Mr.,
Hornblower's name to the Senate such
action would be without precedent, and
1t is safe to say that the name would be
rejected by a majority more than double
that recorded against Mr.. Hornblower
yesterday. This senatorial courtesy is
ticklish thing to trifle with, and il has
made up its mind not to be trifled with,
II Its own language may be quoted.
Rumors are rife that the President has
under consideration the names of Judge
Peckham, of the supreme court of the
State of New York, and of Judge Emile
Henry Lacombe, one of the United
States district court judges of New York.
Judge Peckham is recognized as close
personal and political friend of Mr..
Cleveland, to whom he rendered valuable
political service in the New York Demo-
cratic State convention of 1889 when
Mr.. Cleveland was made the Democratic
nominee for governor.