Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-25

President Cleveland on Saturaa,
afternoon nominated ex.Chanee;
James u. WoiGptt of Dover TO be Jutir
of the United States court for ths hi
trict Of Delaware, to fill the yacnaeg
caused by the death OF Hon. Leonard
+. Wales.
The announcement created consider
abe surprise. as it was pretty generally
believed that Senator Gray would rs
ceive and accept the appointment. nus
MIR. Gray did not desirs the Office, AMI
it was on his recommendation that Nr.
Welcott was selected. In view of ibis
fact, it Is thought that the apnaiar
ment will be confirmed by the Sena,a
without much delay. II is said that
both Senators Gray and Kenney aro Of
this opinion.
The appointment gives general sats.
faction, as Mr.. Wolc0tt is considered
one of tho ahlest lawyers in Delaware,
and tho fact that be served as Chan.
eelor OF the State with credit for three
years is regarded as evidence OF his
ability 10 acceptahly fill the office Of
Judge Of the district court
non. JAMES Il. woLGoTT.
james L. Wolcott is native OF Mis-.
pillion hundred. and was born about
mile and u half east of Harrington
February 4th, 1912. His parents wcre
Josiah and Elizabeth tDormanl VOL
colt. lie was educated in the county
schools, and for u time taught in them
In 1868 he entered the law office Of
Hon. Eli Salisbury as student. On
April 23d, 1866, he was admitted TO
practice. In 1867 be was elected clerk
OF the Senate, and in February, 1871,
was chosen as counsel for thu Levy
Court, position no held until Janr.
Hry, 1879, when he was appoinied
secretary of State by Gov. John "
Hall. serving until 1854. In 1858 ho
was candidate for United States Senn.
tor and his capture Of the Kent county
primaries and enforcement Of the unit
rule resulted 10 the Democratic halt
the election of a Republican majority
on joint ballot in tie Legislature, and
Anthony Higgins to the United States
Senate. Upon the death OF Chancellor
Willard Salisbury. which occurred
May 9th, 1892. Mr.. W0icott was an
pointed Cbapne,irr, in which o(liee he
made rradiiahle feaorsi, serving until
November 9Th, 1850, when he resigned
to accept the position G, counsel for the
Delaware Railroad Co. which was
made vacant by the appointment Of
Hon. George V. Massey Ia be general
| COUNSEL OF tho PENNSYLVANIA Railroad
Co. lie was succeeC rs Chancellor by
the Hon. John Il, Nicholson.
MR. woLcoTr PLEASED.
Dover Feb. %. The first intimation
received iG Dover regarding tho noni-
nation of ex.Chanco.iur James l.. Vol
| f,pft In, tin tii1npEEtn .,F -
: States district court was in tge nattIre
ri e Telegram to Arlo9 l.. Magae, ssnt
by hcEstu! Gray, which reached hs-e
/ about 4 y IL , ct SATURDAY. The OK
! Chancelur waH IL Harrington al lie
! tins, attending the tune,ai Of rcia.
/ tive, Mrs. iienriatta Norris. Later,
| however, it was announced that Mir.
! Wolcott was highly pleased over tho
! nomination.
| Speculation concerning the copiira,a-
/ ton is divided. Tine f,tnds of the ay-
Chancellor anu ltolnuc,ats generally
say that Senator Gray cua!a hot have
suggested Mr.. Wucott's name did ho
| not have same reason 10 think his col
/ leagues in the Senate would confirm
| tho nomination. Tho RenuhltCaoa,
| however, assert that with Senator
| Gray wnuld GoGbtlaas haze been ton.
! iirnsd, bad thu President sent his name
/ 10 TIE Senate, il will TO different wien
ex Chancn!.nr MolCott's namp como 40
! for consideration, and that the popu-
larity Of the senigr Senator cannot
bring about the confirmation OF tho
nominee.
The refusal OF Senaior Gray to ac-
cept the position las, in great meas.
ure, rerlved discussion of the success.
sion, and ons gs,ute politician last
night SAID that should Senator GRAY
succeed I'D having the nomination vi
the ex-Chaueellor confirmed his chances
Tor re'e!RCtio1, two years hence, would
be considerably frightened. In tbo
lrst place, he said, it would remove
a dangerous competitor, oven though
| Kent county already has a Senator,
and in tho second place it would aeouro
to Senator Gray tho aid OF the Wo.eott
| faction in all three of tho Counties
when il comes to naming 4iekets for The
next general election. Another thing.
| the nomination was made only after
Senator henney also had heartily con.
sented to the selection OF MIR. Woleotr,
| Washington d. e., Feb. 22,-The
nomination of James Il. Wolrott TO ho
| Judge for the district OF Delaware wng
not brought up in tho Senate judiciary
| committee to day. 1t ia understand
that the Republicans are holding il
back Tor preparation of charges. In
| tho tu Font CAGE involving the seat
from Delaware in the Senate, Sneaker
| watson, While acting us Governor, cast
the deciding vote for the Democratic
candidate, the testimony taken by the
Senate committee showing that Mr.
| Watson said he did so because he was
forced to- The Republicans now claim
that it was Mr.. Wolcott, WIN was then
Chancellor IF the State who forced MI,
Watson to cast the vote which had 40
much to do with the result of that CON
test. Tine matter will be looked into
before Nv Wolcott's name is reported