Evening journal., 1897-02-15
SENATOR GRAY A JUDGE.
Delaware's Statesman Has
Simply to Say the Word.
THE ONLY QUESTION IS WILL HEP"

AMBITION AND ACCEPT THIS
LIFE TENURE.
Since Judge Wales passed away into
the great beyond last week, and left a
$4,000 office with a life tenure, which
he had filed for many years, the sub
ject of his successor naturally began
to agitate the politicians and interest
all the people. Judge Wales death oc-
curing, as it has, within almost a
fortnight of a sweeping change in ma
tional administration makes the Incl
dent one of the most interesting in Del
aware's history. President Cleveland
can now appoint. but the Senate's con-
/ firmation is necessary before the man
designated as the executives choice can
take his seat.
SENATOR GRAY CAN HAVE 1T.
A great majority of the people think
Senator George Gray can have the ap-
pointment, and he is the man whom the
Democrats want appointed to the bench
in the United States Court. The rea-
sons for this are that they believe that
there is not a man in the state who is
better fitted for the place than he, and
then besides, he is about the only man
whom the Senate would confirm.
GRAY THE ONLY MAN.
The question whether the senator
would accept the place has been raised
by every one who had talked about the
matter. The general opinion is that he
would not, but some of his intimate
friends say that he would. They argue
that he has but two more years to
serve in the Senate. and the chances of
his being returned are exceedingly
doubtful. Then the position is not a
Shelf" for while It does not pay so
we'll. is a step toward the supreme
bench, which is said to be the ambi-
tion of the Senator. During the week
, the names of ambassador Thomas Bay
ard, Chief Justice Lore and that of eX-
Chancellor Wolcott have been mention.
ed. 1t is net believed that enough pres
sure could be brought to bear on Presi
dent Cleveland to influence him to ap
point the last two named. even if the
Senate would confirm them. He would
+ doubtless appoint Mr. Bayard If there
! was any chance Of his being confirmed
, WILL HE SPEAK TOMORROW?
The leading Democrats who are in,
terested in the appointment of a Fed
eral judge say to-day that they fullyex
pect to hear from Senator Gray by to
! morrow whether OF not he will accep
I the position One of them declares
j that he had heard indirectly from tn
l senator, and that it is more than prob
e able that he would accept. Whateye
e may he Mr.. Gray's own opinions on tn
e matter the feeling is universal her
y famOng those who have been intimat
with the senator that he will accept tn
place. Mr.. Gray is not expected to re
turn from Washington for severa
days. His friends here say that tn
. president will most likely consult wit
the senator to-day in reference TO tn
I matter.
NOT PLEASED WITH 1T.
+ A special dispatch to the New Yori
Sun to-day says that close friends O
e Senator Gray say that he is not at al
pleased at the mention OF his name il
i connection with the appointment to tn
j district judgeship in Delaware mad
q vacant by the death of Judge Vale!
e Some of Mr.. Grays friends in the Sen
ate say that even if the presiden
S should nominate him to the vacanc
e they would not vote for confirmation
= as they say he has been very badl
{. treated by Mr.. Cleveland, and that the
e would not help to shelve him on an oil
g scure bench in Delaware.
THE PRESIDENTS TREATMENT O.
y HIM.
" One Of Senator Gray's closest friend
4 in Washington made the followin
statement about tho senator's ambitio
l.. to be a member of the Supreme COui
y bench, and his relations with Presider
= Cleveland growing out OF that desire
= Il am confident that Senator Gra
n could have the Delaware judgeship
he would accept il, but | know him 70
well to imagine for a moment that }
would accept anything from the hand
Of President Cleveland at this late da,
Senator Gray has been one Of the fe
r senators who stood by Mr.. Clevelan
7 in the Senate when he was greatly
need of defenders. The president kne
full well that Senator Gray had judici
RS aspirations, and that by inclination an
M experience he prefers law to polite
id In spite CT an intimate personal frien'
e. ship and a political regard that has o
is ten been tested severely, Mr.. Clev
land passed the senator by when
al might have appointed him chief justi
IN of the United States Supreme Court
y place of Judge Fuller.
Id DESIRES SOMETHING FARBETTE
-. when the next vacancy on the s.
a prem bench occurred the friends
M Senator Gray again brought his nan
y, to the attention Of the president, al
~ again the president passed him ov
&c and went down to Louisiana and a
pointed Judge White. Later Justi
Jackson. Of Tennessee died and q
friends of Senator Gray renewed the
1b request that he should be appointed.
OF | am not mistaken Senator Gray we
TO the White House himself. and as
tn personal favor asked that he be tran
nd ferred from the Senate to the supreI
'e- bench To the surprise OF every o.
hn who was interested in the matter Sen
cd tor Gray was for the third time ignore
cd and Justice Peckham. of New YoI
lis was selected. Now il is proposed to 81
Ib- Senator Gray little district judgesh
lily down in Delaware. as a sort of rewa
Of merit for his fidelity 10 Mr.. Clel
land in the Senate A district judl
ship in Delaware is an honorable po
ton. but it Is net one that Senat
49, Gray would seek or accept"