The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-17
M'KINLEY STANDS BY M'KENNA.
ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINATED
FOR THE SUPREME COURT.

The Opposition Not Believed to BE
Sufficiently strong 90 Defeat Con-
frmntiOn-BOth Senators From CAL
ifOrnin i'm Favor of Sustaining the
President in His ChOice-ActiOn
Not to he Taken Until After the
Holiday Recess.
Washington, Dec. 16.-Attorney General
Mckenna was to-day nominated by the
President to fiji the vacancy on the bench
of the supreme court of the United States,
occasioned by the retirement of Mr.. As
sociate Justice stephen J. Field The NOM
ination of Judge McKenna was not un-
expected, for it has been settled since the
advent of the Mckinley administrati ton.
that he was to succeed Judge Field. The
subject has been freely canvassed in and
out of the Senate and, while there is
shadow of opposition, it Is not believed
to be of sufficient magnitude to defeat con-
tirmaton when the vote is taken.
1t was doubtless the intention of the
President to bestow this high judicial hon
or upon Judge McKenna at this time, not
only as a token of friendship and recog-
with it the compliments of the Christmas
festival. II appears, however, that Judge
Mckenna viii be deprived of the title of
associate justice of the supreme court of
the United States until after the holiday
recess.
Senator Hoar, chairman of the Senate
judiciary committee, to whom the nomina-
ton was referred, was expected to call a
special meeting of the committee, so that
the nomination of Judge McKenna might
be reported back to the Senate for con-
frmation before the holiday recess next
Saturday. The regular meeting day of
the judiciary committee is Monday, con-
sequently If confirmation was TO be had
before the holidays, a special meeting of
the committee would have to be called.
After the nomination reached the Senate
this afternoon, the question of calling a
special meeting of the committee was con-
sidered, and it was decided that In view
OF the nature of the opposition to Judge
Mckenna's s confirmation, IL would not be
advisable to take hasty action on the
nomination, hence it will so over, to be
taken up at the first regular meeting of the
judiciary committee in January.
1t is said that some of the Pacific coast
senator's who were originally opposed to
Judge McKennas confirmation, have
Withdrawn their opposition, and a
majority of the senators will vote to con-
firm. AS one of the senators, who was for
merly with the opposition remarked to-
night This is a very appropriate time
for the President TO send in Judge Nc
Kennas nomination. We have not receiv-
ed much on the coast, and as there are
several federal appointments in that sec
ton of the country pending, 1t is just as
well for us to stand by the administration
in this case, rs we have done in other in
stances where the selections were not any
more acceptable than this one. We have
gone this far with the administration, and
might as well swallow Judge McKenna and
try to look pleased"
The strong point in favor of Judge Nc
Kenna is that both of the California sem
ators, Messrs. Perkins and White, one a
republican and the other q democrat, are
urging his confirmation. 1T is difficult to
make successful fight against the con-
frmaton when the senators from the state
interested are united in favor of the candi-
date.
In view of Judge McKenna's s long ser
vice in the House of Representatives, and
the fact that he is at present member
of the cabinet, 1t was supposed that some
of his friends might try to have his con-
firmation expedited, as is sometimes done
when senators are taken from the Sem
ate and appointed to other branches Of
the public service. This subject was also
considered, but it was not deemed advisa-
bic by some Of the very best friends and
strongest supporters of Judge McKenna
to make the attempt at this time.
Until the Senate acts upon the nomlna
ton fully there will be no change I'm the
cabinet. Gov. Griggs of New Jersey, who
is slated to be come Attorney General
cannot enter upon his duties in the cabi-
net circle until the middle of January
hence the delay in the conformation of
Judge McKenna will not embarrass the
administration or weaken the cause Of
the new Judge