Evening star., 1896-10-24
Gossip as to the Probable Appoint
ment to the Vacancy.
FWO NAMES PROMINENTLY MENTIONED
The Postmaster General and the
Secretary Of the Navy.
FORMER THE MORE LIKELY

The existing vacancy on the bench Of the
Court OF Claims, caused by the death OF
Chief Justice Richardson, Is the subject of
considerable speculation just at present.
Although 1t Is said at the White House
that the President has net given the matter
any consideration whatever up to this
time, 1t is admitted that he may possibly
take 1t up next week. The Office Is regard
ed as a most desirable one in many re-
spects. 1t is a position Of honor and dig
Eity, with compensation at the rate of
1880 year, running through the life Of
the incumbent. The court is composed of
chief justice and four associate justices,
each Of whom receives the same rate of
compensation. Any of the justices may re-
tire on full pay upon reaching the age of
seventy years, after ten years. service on
the bench.
The present members of the court are
Just1ce2 Knott, Weldon, Davis and Peelle.
The names are given in the order of senior
1ty Justice Knott was appointed from
New York. Justice Weldon from Ohio, JUS
tce Davis from the District Of Columbia
cases of the three last named the appoint
nents were In a large sense personal with
the Presidents who made them. This was
specially the cases with Justices Davis and
Peelle appointed, respectively, by Presi-
dents Arthur and Harrison.
Either of the associate justices is eligible
Tor the chief justiceship. but there is no
reason to suppose that the existing va
cancy Will be filled by promotion. There is
no legal requirements Of that effect The
chief justice ranks the others in title. bat
mas no advantage in compensation or In
judicial functions.
Two Most Likely to BE Considered.
Inasmuch as all the Justices are northern
or western republicans, the impression pre-
walls that the President will select a south
ern democrat for the chief tusticeship. For
this reason and because of the fact that the
appointment is in the nature Of a personal
one, the belief Is strong that the President
will offer the place to either Postmaster
General Wilson OF Secretary Herbert, each
Of whom is thoroughly qualified for it, both
by nature and education. Neither of them
Is blessed with much wealth, and neither of
them is young enough to begin again the
struggle for fortune with hope Of great sue
cess. They both enjoy the friendship and
confidence OF the President, and he would
undoubtedly like to compliment them with
another substantial evidence of his esteem
before the close of his administration.
Private Secretary Thurber, who Is also a
lawyer. has also been mentioned in connec-
ton with this vacancy, but 1t is understood
that he has no aspirations in that direction.
He Is q young man with good business
prospects. and has no desire to retire from
active practice, especially as the latter is
much more lucrative than the judicial posi-
ton.
The POstmnster General
Many applications for the place have
been already received from leading demo-
Gratis in various parts Of the country, and
1t Is said that the list includes the names
Of several men of great distinction in the
party. who have recently suffered reverses
In business. 1t is considered settled, how
ever, that the appointment will be made
from the cabinet circles, with the chances
almost evenly divided between Postmaster
General Wilson and Secretary Herbert
The Postmaster General is regarded as the
most probable appointee in case he desires
the office, for the reason that the President
Is on record as having said he would ap-
point him to the Supreme Court or some
other Judicial position in case the opportu-
nifty arose. Moreover, it is believed that
the President would like to compliment
Secretary Herbert in the same way. He
has high opinion of the judicial ability
of both gentlemen.