Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-16
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYSHIP
Rumors That Mr.. Davis Will Soon Havera
Successor.
Names Most Frequently Mentioned
Are Those of AlphOnso Hart and
Charles Maurice Smith.

1t is asserted by prominent members of
the local bar that change is to be made
in the office of United States attorney for
the District of Columbia upon the resump-
tion of the sessions of the criminal
branches of the District Supreme Court
next October. The matter has been under
discussion for several days past, and a
prominent attorney, who is also an office
holder, declared this afternoon to a Star
reporter, with all the emphasis possible,
that he knew the President had decided to
make the change mentioned in October.
1t will be remembered that President
Cleveland, upon the expiration of the term
CT Mr. A. A. Birney as district attorney,
nominated for that Office Mr.. Henry e.
Davis of this city. The Senate, for reasons
well known. failed to confirm the nomina-
tion. The office of district attorney being
without an occupant and the criminal
affairs of the District reaching a rather
serious condition as a result thereof, Con-
gress passed law giving authority to the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
to make a temporary appointment. The
bill became law without the Presidents
signature, and the District Supreme Court
promptly appointed Mr.. Davis. 1t was
published shortly thereafter that he had
been given to understand by the Depart
ment of Justice that he would be permitted
TO serve undisturbed throughout the term
of four years.
The Attorney General is quoted in the
rumors as authority for the statement that
the President will make change in tie
office in October, and it is understood that
the several candidates for the place are
working on that supposition. According to
the attorneys who claim to know, the race
is headed by Charles Maurice Smith of this
city and Alphonso Hart, formerly of Ohio,
but who, for several years, has been locat-
ed here. The friends of Mr.. Hart and his
opponents as well consider that his
chances for receiving the appointment are
very strong indeed. He served at one time
as lieutenant governor of the state of Ohio.
He has been a representative in Congress
law. He served four years cs solicitor Of
internal revenue during the Harrison ad-
and is an orator Of the very
highest class. He has been connected with
a number of important law cases in this
city, both before the District Supreme
Court and the Supreme Court of the United
States. Additional weight is given to his
by the report that President Nc
Kinley has promised Mr.. Hart the appoint
ment in the event that he shall secure the
Endorsement Of the local bar.
Mr.. Charles Maurice Smith, who Is con-
sidered the other leading candidate, is
attorney and a District man in
of the highest character, both as lawyer
and as a man, and it is said that he IS the
choice of the majority of the District bar
for the Office in the event that change is
made. One rumor has it that District At
tcrney Davis, in speaking Of the matter,
appointed he was in favor of Mr. Smith
The latter is said to have the support of
the older members Of the bar, while Mr.
Hart Is being backed by the young lawyers.