Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26
HE COHEN co
NORTH CAROLINA JUDGEsHIP.
w. w. Clark Nominated to Succeed
Seymour, Deceased.


WASHINGTON, d. c., February %
(SpeciaL)-To the surprise of everybody
to-day. the President did make an APP
pontment to fill the vacancy in the East
ern Judicial District OF North Carolina,
and named for the position, Mr.. w. w.
Clark. of New Berne, who was Palmer
and Buckner elector in the Old North
State. The statement wired last night
to the effect that no appointment would
be made was authorized by Senator Pal
mer and Mr. Clark, after their in
terview with the President. This re-
markable change on the part OF the
President is explained I'm this way: On
the eve of their departure from nome
last night. Mr.. Clark and his friends
called upon Senator Palmer, to express
their appreciation of his interest in Mr..
Clark's behalf, and to say good-by The
Senator requested that they defer their
departure. and said that IL was his in
tention TO see the President again to-
day, and insist upon the appointment.
Il intend" he said, ito take off my
coat. and tell the President that this
appointment must be made"
He asked the delegation to meet him
this morning at the White House. at 10
o'clock. At that hour he was Joined by
r.. L n
and together they all saw the President
Addressing Mr.. Cleveland, Mr.. Guion
spoke I'm high praise of Mr.. Clark's quail
fcations for the judgeship, when the
President assured him that ii was not
so much a question of qualification, since
about that he was entirely satisfied, as
II was a question of confirmation. At
this suggestion, Senator Palmer spoke
with great warmth and feeling, insisting
that the nomination should be made
the question OF confirmation being left
10 the Senate. Mr. Cleveland replied that
the nomination under the circumstances
would be only an empty honor. To this
Senator Palmer, with some emotion and
excitement, said: What Mr.. President?
Was my nomination but an empty
honor?" The President was dumbfounded
by this startling Renaissance Of the
late Democratic boilers fiasco. The ap-
pointment was Immediately made, and
the nomination of Mr.. Clark for the
iudgeship was sent TO the Senate about
3 o'clock this afternoon.
Senator Pritchard was greatly sur
prised when informed by Senator Black
burn that the appointment had been
made Speaking of it afterwards, he said:
MIR. Clark has seen me with reference
TO his appointment, and asked me If
would object TO his confirmation. l re-
piled that | was surprised and somewhat
embarrassed by the action of the PreSi-
dent. It being understood that no appoint
ment would be made. l said to Mr.
Clark. however. that if he could secure
the recommendation Of the Republican
leaders and bar of the judicial district,
1 would not resist his confirmation"
He spoke in high terms of Mr.. Clark's
abilities as a lawyer. and of his services
i'm the late campaign.
Mr.. Clark left for Raleigh tonight, ex-
pecting to return here by Monday, with
the endorsements necessary to secure his
confirmation. The nomination will be
considered by the judiciary Committee
of the Senate on that day.
II is understood that the appointment
will go TO the Eastern District, in any
event.