Evening journal., 1897-02-22
THE SENATE SURPRISED
Nomination Of J. L. Wolcott
Entirely Unexpected.
DELAWARE SENATORS URGED 1T

COTT OR ANY OTHER NOMINEE
EXCEPT MR.. GRAY FAILING TO
PASS THE JUDICIARY COMMIT
TEE AND THE SENATE.
The announcement from Washington
that President Cleveland had nomi-
mated ex-Chancellor James l.. Wolcott
to be judge of the United States Court
ip the district of Delaware, to succeed
the late Judge Leonard 70. Wales, has
caused considerable surprise here, and,
while many Democrats would have
liked to see Senator Gray take the posi-
tion. they generally approve of the
presidents selection.
Mr.. Wolcott, however. stands Slim
chances of running the Senate gauntlet.
There was little doubt that Senator
Gray could have received the Senate's
confirmation. as senatorial courtesy
would have been shown him, but with
Mr. WolcCtt II Is different II he Is not
confirmed 1t will throw the appoint
ment cf a judge into President-elect
McKinley's hands, and the Republicans
are anxious that such a thing should
occur, and have already taken steps to-
ward preventing Mr.. Wolcotts confir-
/
have made a hard fight against Senator
Gray, for they seemed TO realize that
II would have been useless.
THE PRESIDENTS CHOICE.
Ex- Chancellor Wolcott. nominated
for the United States district judge for
the district Of Delaware, is one OF the
/ best-known men in Delaware and a
legal practitioner with one OF the
largest businesses in the state. He rs
about 55 years old, and read law under
the late United States Senator Eli
Salisbury. In 1883, when Mr.. Sauls-
bury had been in the Senate eighteen
years. Mr.. Wolcott thought he would
like to so to the Senate himself, and
secured the nomination at the primar-
les of a legislative ticket pledged tc
him. Senator Salisbury bolted the
ticket and a Republican Legislature
was elected, which sent ex-senator An
thony Higgins TO the Senate From
this fight dates the split in the Demo
cratic party in Delaware.
In 1892 Mr. Wolcott was appointed
chancellor Of the state, but resigned
/, last year and resumed his practice o
the law. Recently he has been thl
counsel of the Pennsylvania Railrcas
Company He is regarded as the ables
man in the lower counties. and rank
next to Senator Gray in the Denccratl
party as a leader. Mr.. Wolcott was ul
the stump last Fail and supported tn
state Democratic ticket, but in hi
I, speeches he made no reference TO tn
4 financial question.
4 A SURPRISE TO THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. %. The noml
y nation of James Nj. Wolcott. of Della
: ware. to be United States district judg
s for that state. which was made Sat
/, urday by the president, was a surpris
to the Senate Mr. Wolcott was recon
+ mended by both Of the Delaware sena
: tors, who will urgently press his con
n firmation.
It was quite generally thought tina
b Senator Gray. who could have re
e ceived the nomination. would finall
n consent to accept the office. Many @
Il his party friends very strongly urge
b him to such a decision. on the groun
/. that his acceptance cf the nominatio
# would assure immediate confirmation
Il while there was a possibility Of an
e other candidate failing TO pass the Ju
J. dietary Committee and the Senate.
Senator Gray consulted freely wit
J. his colleague IN the Senate nut coul
n not see his way clear TO leave publ
life before his term Of office expire,
His refusal assures a vote for SCUM
money from Delaware for the ensuin
two years.
Had Senator Gray gone upon tn
Y bench his place would, it is though
have been taken by an advocate Of fire
coinage. Those who know the new az
q pointee speak very highly in his prais
n both as lawyer and a citizen.
u TO HOLD IT FOR HIGGINS.
al The regular Republicans, seeing the
l. opportunity. are already up in arms tC
day to bring all the pressure pOssib
ic on the Republican senators 70 have th
q appointment held up in the committe
D. and the influence of Mr.. Higgins is r.
lied on by the regulars to have the d.
~ sired effect AN the talk among tn
Of regulars over the appointment centre
Of around ex-senator Higgins, and h
~ friends declare that he would be name
by President-elect Mckinley II Wolco
X, is not confirmed ii Mr. Higgins wou
Is accept, It is believed that Mr.. Spruan'
and Mr. Bradford would have lit
chance. From financial point Of yie'
the Federal judgeship is the best-pa,
ing iudiciat DositiOn In the state