Evening star., 1896-07-22
THE SUPREME COURT
1t is to Certain Extent Involved in the
Presidential Campaign.
Speculation as to Who Would BE
Delay I'm Conformation Likely.

Reports respecting the condition OF Mr..
Justice Field are discussed with all the
greater interest because Of the reference to
the Supreme Court in the Chicago plat
form. There Is a feeling in some quarters
that the court is to degree Involved In
this years campaign. At any rate, the
democracy criticises it, and the republicans
charge that one of the purposes of the de-
mocracy is, in case Of success, to inaugu-
rate policy Of reorganizing the court.
Oldest Member Of the Court.
Judge Field, both in point Of age and
length of service, is the Oldest member of
the court. He has for several years been
entitled to retire on a pension, but has
kept his place purely through love Of his
work. He loves the law. His whole life
has been given to studying and expo lnding
1t, and he has made among lawyers great
name for himself. His health has been
poor for long time, and there have been
reports before this Of his intention to re-
tire.
With the exception of Judge Field, the
court at present is made up of men OF
much physical vigor. The oldest Of them,
| barring accidents. may be put down for at
least ten more years of active service. 80
that IL Judge Field should decide 10 retire
in time to enable Mr.. Cleveland to name
his successor, it might not fall to the lot
of the next President to make single
appointment to that bench. Judge Field
| is democrat, although appointed by Mr..
Lincoln. and the belief is that naturally he
would like to be succeeded by democrat.
Speculation ms to Succession.
The prospect of a vacancy in great Office
always spurs on speculation about the sue
| cession. Places on the Supreme bench arc
highly priced by lawyers of judicial turn
and many names are invariably brought
| forward when the President has one of them
| at his disposal. That is the case now. Mr.
Carlisle. Mr.. Olney, Mr.. Herbert, Mr.. Har-
mon, Mr.. Wilson Of the cabinet are all men,
toned. 1t is not regarded as likely, how
ever, that either Mr.. Carlisle or Mr.. Olney
would care for the place. The former has
never been on any bench. His fame a
lawyer has been achieved us an advocate
Mr.. Olney left a large and lucrative practice
| to enter the cabinet, and the understanding
is that he is more than anxious TO return
to 1t. Mr.. Harmon has been on the Ohio
bench, and might enjoy seat on the bench
here Mr.. Herbert is without judicial ex-
perience. Mr.. Wilson has been a lecturer
on law.
But the question of location comes in The
Pacific slope would claim the place. II
Judge Field should retire, the extreme west
would be without a representative I'm the
court. The middle west is represented by
Judge Brewer of Kansas. There are some
notable western lawyers who would at ono {
| put in their claims. and most likely, II Is
| thought, one of them would receive the ap.
pointment.
Question of Confirmation
AS to confirmation, very lively scrap
might ensue. The President would not send
In the name of any but sound money man.
and on the money issue the free silver men
control the Senate. A contest would be like
ly to follow, and particularly if the appoint
ment had the appearance Of forestalling
presidential action by the silver side I'm
fact, some of the politicians are of opinion
that If Mr.. Bryan is elected in November
the retirement of Judge Field before March
next would be certain to result in ,he hold
ing up of the appointment of his successor
The Senate, it is predicted, would in that
way keep the place meant for the new Presi.
dent to fill with man of his own party and
policy.