The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-04
SEATTLE LAWYERS
STRONGLY OPPOSED
Mr.. Wood of Portland Says Al the
Federal Judges Are Against
NICK enna.

SEATTLE, Dc. 3.-There is a general
murmur of dissatisfaction among the
mem bers of the bar Of King County over
the prospective nomination of Judge
Joseph McKenna to the Supreme bench.
Although the feeling is strong. there is
inclination among the attorneys 10 ex-
press their opinions through the public
press.
One ex-Judge, speaking to The CALL
CORES pondent to-night said: 1.-The con-
sensEs of opinion among the legal profess
sion in this city is decidedly adverse to
Judge Nick emma holding a higher place
than he now occupies. He has not the
natural gifts, the acquired learning or de-
cision OF character that qualities him for
any judicial place of importance, much
less for the highest place known 10 the
profession of lag and to the system of
Jurisprudence of this country"
1t has not yet been positively decided
whether formal protest will 60 out from
this city against the confirmation of
Judge McKenna. Many prom nent at
torneys, who may later come under his
judicial notice, fear to incur his displeas-
ure. Several of the local attorneys have
within the past few days received copies
of typewriter letter from c. z. Wood
OF Portland, addressed to Senator George
F. Hoar OF Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Wood is law partner of ex-Attor-
ney General Williams, and sets forth
strong reasons why Judge McKenna
should not be the successor of Justice
Fl Id. The letter recites the career of
Judge Mckenna, who began his pro,es-
sional career in the little country town of
Suisun, Cal. 1t states that he was con-
ceraed in no important litigation;
that early in his career he made
politics his profession rather than the
law; that he served in Congress until d
short time before his elevation to the
bench of the Ninth Federal Circuit; that
as a member of the bar he never had
case in any of the Federal courts and not
more than one or TWO in the Supreme
Court OF his State
Mr.. Wood further recites the dilatory
methods practIced and comparatively lit
lie work done by Judge McKenna during
his incumbency on the Appellate and Cir
cult bench.
His letter concludes as follows:
1t seems to me, therefore, that President
HarrlSol'S experiment not successful
and that we are justified by Judge McKennas
record on the bench i'll believing that his
Life training has not fitted MIN to do judicial
work accurately and rapidly, or that the
natural trend OF his mind Is not that way A
>
fitness for position is the estimate in which
he is held by his associates.
Judge Mckenna's former associates on the
bench consider it beneath the dignity of their
office and breach OF judicial etiquette 10 vol
unfairly intrude their opinions in this matter.
Feeling strongly and perhaps rabidly, as do.
on the question of public duty, l cannot agree
with them as TO what is required of them in
case ike this.
But whether I am correct or not in this
view, am entirely warranted, and know
whereof speak, when l say that not oue of
his late associates, from Judge Haniord
Puget Sound southwark TO Judge Ross OF Los
Angeles believes him tn be fit for any judicial
office, much less for position on the supreme
bench of the United States; and that # the
opinion OF these gentlemen Is requested by
one entitled to reply, they will express this
view, without pref JUDGE to the pleasant per-
sonal character OF Judge McKenna, but hay
ing regard solely to his judicial mind.
OF the judges l mention, some are Demo-
Gratis, ana not one OF them has the slightest
expectation OF appoln tment to the Supreme
bench himself; and if any one of them did
have such eX pee tatlon ne would not be will
ing TO openly express his opinion OF Judge
MckennA as rIval. l have talked person
ally on this subject with Judge Hsnford
Judge Ballinger, Judge Gilbert Judge Ross
Judge Hawley ana Judge Morrow, and know
by nearsav, but from good authority, the
views Of Judge de Haven and Judge Beatty.
and 1t certainly seems worthy OF considera-
ton that, in spite of differences of character
and politics among themselves, they are unan-
imous upon this point.
There had been a hope expressed
amoLg a few of the close personal
Judge Hanford of this city that he
might succeed Justice Field, but if
took no tangible form and he was not
at any time a candidate for the place
In conversation this evening with ex-
United States Senator J. B. Allen,
who is connected with one OF the
leading law firms of The State, he said he
understood that considerable dissatis &C.
ton existed in view of pIeferment of
Judge McKenna, who in learning intel
Iectual bllity and determined character
was not ali that the highest tribunal in
the land demanded.
Nj. Alien do not believe a formal pro-
test against confirms alton will go out from
the State. He furthermore knew of no
effort to secure the appoin ment for Judge
Hanf ford.
Another prominent attorney, Maurice
McMlckn, said to-day 10 The CIVIL cor
respondent that while it would be very
graft wing to the bar of the State if Judge
Hanford were appointed 10 succeed Jus
tire Field, he knew of no effort having
been made to that end. He did not be-
lieve there would be any very pronounced
opposition TO Judge McKenna.
"He is my friend said Congressman
James Hamilton Lewis, in referring 10
McKenna's proba Bile APRON ment, "and
ZION. Always having been favored by
m naturally would rejoice in his ele-
vatIon without regard for his quaifica-
tions for the higher Office. There are
other attorneys who severely criticise his
capa bIlitIes, but am not on of them"
r. B. Alberison. who aspired 20 judicial
honors in Xmas County last fall, ex-
pressed the opinion that Judge Nc
Kenna's elevation to the Supreme bench
of the United States would certainly not
bring to il the dignity and great ability
which this most important position de-
mands."
Ex-Judge H. G. Strive says he favors
Judge McKenna's confirmation on per-
sonal grounds. He thinks no protest will
go OUT from Seattle Judges and attorneys
neither does he know of any effort to ele-
vate Judge HanIord to Justice Fields
chair.
Ex-Judee Thomas Burk said he felt
reluctance about expressing an opinion OH
the wisdom of Judge McKenna's seec-
ton. In view of the great responsibilities
OF the Office he believed it should be filed
by the highest ord r of legal ability. He
had not heard that Judge Han ford ever
aspfed to the place.
One OF the brightest legal lights of