Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
JUDGE COXS RETIREMENT
Will Probably Not Take Place for Some
Time.
Major Mckinley VIII Appoint His
SuccessOr-Very Little Talk
of the Man.

Although nearly a month has passed
since Judge Walter S. Cox of the District
Supreme Court became eligible to retire,
the judge has given no intimation as to
when he will do SO. Indeed, it can be said
on the very best authority that Judge Cox
has dismissed the idea from his mind. for
the present at least and that he is at pres
ent undecided as to whether he will retire
or not.
Said one in close communication with the
judge to a Star reporter today: II doubt
very much whether Judge Cox will retire
at all. Certainly not, 1 am quite certain,
until some time after the Inauguration of
President-elect Mckinley. base this state
ment on what the judge has himself said
recently, although Judge Cox did not in 40
many words say as much. Judge Cox is
enjoying the very best of health Just now,
and as he Is man who enjoys work and
plenty of 1t, believe that he has virtually
concluded to remain on the bench for some
time yet"
The belief that Judge Cox will not retire
during President Cleveland's term is un-
doubtedly becoming generally held by the
members OF the bar. By some 1t Is said
that the judge has reason to believe that
If he should retire before the 4th of March,
Mr.. Cleveland would appoint as his success
sor some other than local man. There is
no doubt whatever that Judge Cox is de-
sfrous above all other things that he shall
be succeeded by local man. Hence it is
said that, believing that MIR. Cleveland will
not appoint local man, he has decided to
defer his retirement until some time after
Major Mckinley comes in, In the hope, If
not the belief. that local member of the
bar will then be appointed
But be this as 1t may, 1t can be practi-
cally authoritatively stated that the Judge
will not retire until after the 4th Of March
re 70 foro hry,
porter, Judge Cox laughingly said: mo.
have not yet decided when 1 will retire.
do not know, in fact, that will retire at
ALL"
Under the belief that Major Mckinley
will appoint Judge Cox's successor, the
lame of District Attorney Arthur A. Bir-
ney is being prominently mentioned as his
successor. Mr.. Birney is a republican, a
finn supporter of Maj Mckinley, and his
friends says that his able and successful
conduct of the trying office of district at
t"rney entities him to receive the appoint
Hent.
To Star reporter Mr.. Birney said today
that while his friends have kindly sug-
gested his name he has not applied for the
appointment. and did not know that he
will Yet, he explained, he could hardly
decline such an honor if the President
should deem him worthy of It, He desired,
however, first of all that some good local
man should be selected, and. he said, the
members of the bar will be an unit in ask
Ing that such a sele ction shall be made
irrespective of party considerations. Mr.
Job Barnard is another well-known re-
publican member Of the bar mentioned for
the position. So is the name of Col Jas
G. Payne. the auditor of the District Su-
preme Court for many years. While Mr.
A. S. Worthington has also been suggested
by his friends, it is very doubtful whether
he would accept the position. But there is
now very little talk about the city hall in
connection with the matter, for, as ex-
pialned above, there is a growing belief
that Judge Cox will not retire for some
time,