Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
ABB OUT Mr.. MAXW ELL
How He Came to Be Made Solicitor Gen.
eraL.
Suggested by His PredccessOr His
Conduct of the
OMce.

The cause of the resignation of Mr.. Max
well, solicitor general of the United States
has already received various explanations.
However accurate the various reports may
be. there are some circumstances connect
ed with the original appointment of Mr.
N. Maxwell to that Office, which have
never been published, which may throw
some light upon the Independent qualities
of the man who has voluntarily surren-
dered the Office which ranks only next to
that of Attorney General. and which is a
position always much sought by some of
the most distinguished lawyers of the
country. The attitude of Mr.. Maxwell in
resigning may. perhaps be better under
stood If the circumstances under which he
was appointed are known. Mr.. Maxwell
was originally a republican. He went over
to the liberal party in 1872. when the lib
eral movement, which had one OF its head
has remained with the democratic party
since that time Mr.. Maxwell is a COM
parat1Vely young man, and is too young
to be Bourbon in either party. He was
Of the President and of the Attorney Cen
eral at the instance of ex-Solicitor General
Aldrlch of Chicago who was a classmate
OF Mr.. Maxwell and who has been his life
time friend.
circumstances of His Appointment.
" AOA tAO AttOIHcy ucu0TdI entered upon
his Office he informed Mr.. Aldrich, as has
been stated. that he very greatly regretted
that politics should enter into the Depart
ment of Justice, and that he would be very
much pleased to have Mr.. Aldrich retain
the position of solicitor general. That Mr..
Aldrich declined to do, except for SO long
q period as was necessary to enable the
PRESIDENT to select a person satisfactory
to him and to the Attorney General for
that position Some extended inquiries
were made. but no person was suggested
" no seemed satisfactory both to the At
torney General and to the President Final
~ Mr.. Aldrich- was requested, it Is UNDER
STOOD, IN the first instance by the Attorney
General and subsequently by the Presi-
dent, to suggest the name of some lawyer
suitable for the place. Attorney General
Oiney at that time, 1t is said. suggested
that 1t did not materially matter &C him
might be. Mr.. Aldrich suggested the name
or Mr.. Maxwell as his succ essor He in
formed the President and the Attorney
General as to the capabilities of Mr.. Max
Court Of the United States will gladly tes-
TRY to as the truth. that he is an exceed
insiy able. competent, fearless and ener-
position which he has voluntarily declined
Mr.. Maxwell. upon the direct suggestion of
MI. Aldrich. for neither the Attorney Gen.
eral nor the President had ever heard of
MIN before, was appointed to this position
Mr.. Dricc ms n SPONSOR
The Cincinnati papers. when the susses-
ton was made that Mr.. Maxwell might be
appointed solicitor general, were quick to
come out with the announcement that he
was to be appointed upon the recommen-
dation OF Senator Brice of Ohio. But as
a matter OF fact, Senator Brice of Ohio did
not know that the President and the At
torney General had the name OF Mr.. Max
Well under favorable consideration until
after the decision was reached to appoint
him. Mr.. Brice had an entirely different
candidate for the office. But Mr. Brice is
not slow in politics. and he chose 1t is
said. to become the political father of Mr.
Maxwell so soon as he was convinced that
Mr.. Maxwell was to be appointed.
MI Maxwell. since he entered upon the
office, has endcGvored to conduct 1t upon
strict legal principles. He has beer. eX-
tremely successful. His advocacy of the
interests of the government has been IN
tel'fgent and powerful, and has met with
the approval of the United States Supreme
I'll" Income Tax Cases.
If the reports are true that the Attorney
General did not desire to have the United
States Supreme Court reach an ea.ly de-
cision as to the constitutionality of the
income tax law. but preferred to have that
case take the ordinary slow course through
the courts, 1t will be seen that the nolicy
Of Attorney General Olney, if the United
states Supreme Court is still three years
In arrears with its business would be that
4 final decision should not be reac hed un-
til the expiration of President Cleveland's
term of office. By that time the in ome
tax law would have been in operation three
years. and it. possibly, would not do the
party in power much harm, if the Supreme
Court should then decide that law to be