Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-13
WHY THURsToN OPPOSES HIM.
Senator Thurston's reasons for opposing
tr AicUuph are here stated:

Senator Thurston reasohs loI OPP"SiH9
Mr.. McHugh are here stated:
In regard TO Mr. McHughs appointment,
7 have decided to oppose his continuation
/ have done this after most caretul con
sideratlon of the situation ana tIlSr Sol-
suItinp with and hearing from the leaulnS
repuhficons of the state. The position Is
the highest judicial Office IN our Stite' ~
is for life. 1t seems to me TINS JuuSesnlp
should certainly go to some one OF the
leading and lifelong practitioners OF our
bar and one who Is genefaily TtcoshiiHcu
I'm the state as leader in the profession.
| have not one word to say which VIII IN
any way reflect upon the personal or pro
fessional character of MI McHush' put
this is absolutely and literally true: He has
been in Nebraska but about elsht years;
practitioner in the United states court ana
/ have not known of Mr. Mcflugh as be-
ing engaged in the trial of important cases
i'm that court. / have no doubt that he
stands equally well at the bar as any one
of the young practitioners who nave
had the same number OF years pructlce IN
our courts. Mr.. McHugh has been the part
ner Of one of cur best established and ab est
lawyers, General Gown, but ii Is the under
standing among the profession that his
partncrshlp association with General Gown
has been such an one as is generally formed
by an established lawyer and young man
taken in to assist In the transaction of bus
mess. / know of my personal knowledge
that II Is not more than year since Mr..
McHugh was endeavoring to secure place
in the Office of attorney of the elevated
mined to leave Omaha and Nebraska If he
could secure the place in that office.
DOES NOT RANK HIGH ENOUGH.
whatever, therefore, may be said of his
character as a man and his professional
ability, 1t does not seem to me that he
can be said to fairly rank with those law
yers of Nebraska whose long experience,
whose established professional reputation
and whose identity with our people mark
them for judicial preferment.
While i was at Oma ha. also many of the
leading members of the Omaha bar. some
OF the judges of our courts and practi-
TONERS from various parts of the state, ad-
vised me that they had been solicited and
importuncd to sign petitions for Judge Nc
Hugh's confirmation upon the unqualified
statement that II was my express desire
given. 7, at many Signatures were obtai ied
to these petitions on such statements there
can be no possible doubt | never directly
or indirectly, authorized any living man to
make such statements. | wired all friends
OF McHugh that | should hold myself alb
matter OF securing endorsements, and that
should remain absolutely free to act on
the appointment after l had consulted fully
with my friends and the leading practi-
TONERS and republicans of the state.
These are among the reasons which have
Influenced me In reaching the conclusion
that l have. When ] vote to confirm the
nominee for judge of the United States
court OF Nebraska. whether such nominee
be a democrat or a republican. / shall insist
that he be a man thoroughly identified by
long residence and otherwise with Nebraska
the people and profession that 1t will not
be necessary for his friends TO pass around
petitions and importune for signatures.
JOHN NJ. THURSTON.