New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-13
NEw.YoRK AND TIE SUPREME BENCH.

No dsrcspect is shown to the memory OF JUS
tice jackson In the discussion about his success
sor which began Immediately after his death
There is a vacancy in a great office. intelligent
and upright citizens earnestly desire to see II
worthily filed and it is inevitable that in TINS,
as in every similar case. they should think ana
speak of National necessity even whhe the!
are mourning National loss. The people OF
New-YOrk In particular are deeply concerned i'll
the question Of how the President will employ
his opportunity. though we cannot admit mat
their wish to see New-York man selected for
the Supreme Bench is in any sense or degree
opposed TO the highest advantage Of any other
State 1t is natural and fitting. subordinate con-
sIderations being alone taken into account that
New-York should have representative III the
Supreme Court, but the reasons why the claim
is intrinscally valid ought 10 be recognized
everywhere. The vast financial and commercial
interests of New-York are the interests OF the
whole country, and the whole country suffers
when the Supreme Court Is not as completely
qualified as possible TO determine the issues
which they involve.
The considerations which may induce the
President to appoint successor to Justice Jack
son from the South either sentimental or
political If they are sentimental, they ought
not TO affect the decision of so important mat
ter If they are political II would be grave
offence to give them weight. There Is no point
Of view from which It is proper to make such
an appointment the instrument Of a partisan or
personal purpose The contest over place on
the Supreme Bench which ended In the elevation
Of Justice White was not advantageous 10 me
country nor altogether crediabe to the frc>i-
dent Ii would have become an even worse re-
proach to him than to Senator Pill If he had
followed the advice Of miscellaneous admirers anu
prolonged the contention. His choice OF MI.
Hornblower was one eminently fit to be made.
The President was not bound TO for"see ana
foresta Senator Hills successful exhibition OF
personal resentment The appointment of MI
Peckham was. under the circumstances. certain
to provoke some criticism, and Mr. Cleveland
would have been generally and justly condemned
if he had gone single step further in the same
direction But he might have made a better re-
treat 1t was in Senator Hills power to prevent
the confirmation Of any man against whom he
was able TO plead a bitter personal and political
antipathy. but he had neither the power nor the
desire to exclude New-York from representation
on the Supreme Bench. The President might
have replaced the lamented Blatchford by IN
appointment from Justice Blatchford's State
which the Senate would have ratified, and he
ought to have done So
The event which gives President Cleveland an
other opportunity is deeply regretted. and all
the more on that account Is 1t his duty TO satisfy
the highest hopes. The power of constituting
a coordinate department Of the Government Is
remarkable in its nature and no obligation is
hat ifnDOSpS
wise exercise is invariably rewarded with honor
and praise by the people, who realize the mo-
mentous consequences involved. 1t is now Mr..
Clevelands privilege to earn that reward. tie
will not deserve unqualified appreciation If he
goes outside Of NewYork for successor to
Justice Jackson.