Evening journal., 1894-02-20

moved an executive session.
Promptly Confirmed.
Every one knew that his purpose was TO
give the senate an opportunity TO pass
upon his colleagues nomination, and no
one doubted that when the doors should
be reopened confirmation would be an
uounced. Occasion had never before risen
for passing upon the fitness Of a senator for
the Office Of supreme judge.
There had been many instances in which
senator's had been appointed TO other places,
aud it has become the custom-not un-
broken. however-to confirm without ref
srence to committee. 1t was believed on
all hands that the precedent would be fol-
lowed in this instance. Such proved to be
the case.
The senate had been sitting behind closed
doors less than half an hour when it be
came known that the motion 20 confirm
without reference had carried without op-
position. There was no show of opposition
10 proceeding in this manner, and The vote
was unanimously and heartily Ia favor Of
confirmation.
The proceedings prior to the casting Of
the vote consisted entirely Of the deliver
Ing Of eulogistic speeches by members of
the senate Judiciary committee and by
Senator Caflery. There were two speeches
by Democratic members OF the committee
aud two by Republican members, Senators
Pugh and Hill speaking for the Democratic
side and Senators Hoar and Teller for the
Republican.
All the speeches were laudatory and con-
gratulatory both to the president and 20
Mr.. White, and the tenor Of all that was
said indicated general feeling OF relief
that the selection had proved to be one to
IL
contest which has been a somewhat dis
tracting feature for the last three or four
months. The senate even felt so good ma
tured over the whole affair that it decided
10 remove the injunction Of secrecy, Hnd
the newspapers were notified that they
were at liberty to publish the details Of
the proceedings.
While the senate acted promptly and
without hesitation upon the nomination,
It is still fact that it was a great surprise
40 the capitol. The president had said on
Saturday that he would 90 outside OF New
York to make a selection in view OF the
rejection OF the two names sent from that
state but Il had been supposed up TO the
last minute that he would fiud a suitable
man within the confines of the Second ju-
dicial circuit, from which the late Judge
Blatchford, whose successor he was TO ap-
point, nnu been CHOSEN.
A Surprise All Around.
! Some thought Il possible that Senator
I Gray might be selected, and there were a
, few who suggested the name of Senator
Faulkner. Senator Whites name seems
not to have been thought Of by amy one,
and IL is probable that Senator Caffery,
who had been let into the secret, was the
only man sitting in the senate at the time
Secretary Pruden arrived who knew the
purport Of the message which he conveyed,
as Mr.. White was himself absent.
Gradually during the afternoon the story
leading up 10 the nomination was unfold
ed. Whether the president had had Mr..
Whites name in mind before Sunday does
not appear, but il he had the latter had
not been made aware Of the fact. He and
Senator Caffery were sent for sunday even
ing, and when they arrived at the White
House about & o'clock the president made
known the purpose OF his invitation for a
conference. Mr.. White while expressing
a deep sense Of obligation, was much sur
prised and was doubtful as TO whether he
should accept. He asked the president foI
time TO consider, and although he aud his
colleague remained with the president un
u Ill IL o'clock he left without giving his as
lt sent In the morning, when be and Mr.
.S IdueIl again cdlleu az Nnr eAeeANtfN At"h
, sion, he was still unable TO say positively
: that he preferred the Office to that Of sena
tor, and it was not until the last minute
/ before his departure that be gave his as
II sent.
e IL is understood that at this conference
, the president simply announced that h'
had definitely determined 70 20 outside o
New York for man TO fill the Office, an6
d on investigating the question he had dis
IS covered that none OF the II southern state
t OF Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
ts North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
!. Florida. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi
!. and Texas, constituting the Fourth an'
So Fifth circuits, had a representative on th
supreme bench or had had at any tim
Il since the war, except for the brief tim
y that Justice Lamar was member Of ia
supreme court. He also took into accoun
- the fact that the civil law is the method O
D practice in Louisiana and that Senate
10 Mhlte is considered very able exnonen
" oi that system. The selection leaves IN
second aud the Fourth circuits ,yitbon
representation, while the Third circuit bs
three. Na
His Possible Successor.
AT the supreme court Offices il was stat