The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-04

I very high regard for Judge McKenne. As for
MS Judicial capacity know noining. ! never
pracuced before him. /, however. read sew
eral OF his decisions that came in reference to
cases before the Supreme Court and they, in
my opinion, were very able and of sound
judgment.
nigh regard for Judge McKeEna. do not be-
HeVe lhere can be well-founded opposition
To his confirmation TO the Supreme bench of
the United States.
Justice Ralph &. Harrison-The petit
ton OF the Portland people has TO me the APP
pearance OF some person in Oregon wanting
the appointment to the Supreme bench OF the
united States. | believe, however, That Nc
kenna will receive the appoin tment, and that
the appointment VIII be confirmed have
doubt OF that, and believe he is u capable
ma Tor the honorable position.
Ju-tire L. Il. h.cFtrIand-It is g matter
winch do not feel Is becoming OF me to dis
cusS
Justice C. III. Garoutte-Judge McKenna
is gentleman in every sense OF the wOId,
ana as Ju.or fully up 10 the average of the
Judges OF the Supreme Court OIL the United
states. l have known him for many years,
ana can say that he is an industrious, hard
working man of good education, oil great lit
erHFy Attalnments and Of nigh moral worth.
Justice Jackson Temple-l was enc of
an examining committee that passed upon
Judge Mckenna's ability 10 practice law. He
was bright stud and he passed good
examination. am not In position 10 Judg-
as TO his Jud cha capacity. l have neard
many complaints against him ofnot doing any
ALluB WHeu he WAS on tneClrCult DSOCE- LnluR
mere are many better lawyers in California
IMAM he. He is perhaps not the equal OF
judge Field, but that can be said of most any
oil The men who have sat on The judicial bench.
He has not been in the profession for any
great length OF time and he certainly does not
rank very high as lawyer. can speak very
highly OF him as n man, but do not think his
career has been such as TO recommend him
Tor the place he is named TO fill. We have had
the greatest man that ever sat on the bench of
the United States Supreme Court from Califor-
MIA ana only hone that If Mckeuna
appointed to succeed him he may at least
equal the record of Judge Field.
Judge Haynes. Supreme Court Conn
missioner know itue OF Judge McKenna
aud have no personal knowledge OF him in a
judicial way. BY reputation, however, l know
MIN to be gentleman and an abe juror. l
nope the reports OF his disquaiitications may
be untrue. There is no reason whv tn is coast
should not have a place on the bench. We
have a good deal OF litigation that is not ia
mlil6r TO lawyers OF the East, and 1t is impor-
tant that when such questions come before
the United Safes Supreme Court Tor litigation
we should have represe tation on the bench
II Mckenna is not appOin ted IL is probable
that some person in the East may be named
10 fill the vacancy caused by Judge Fields re-
tirement, and the coast will have no one in
The court familiar with the affairs of The Pa
cife Slope.
Judge Carroll Cook-I have net seen the
protest, nor viii sign it or discuss Judge Ne
Kenna's qualifications, as | cons der ii dell
cate matter for one in my position. l Will say
tnat news of the fight against lin did not
surprise me. l have heard the matter dis
cussed great deal since the Judge became a
mepber of the Cabinet, end righttully or
wrongfully, II any lawyers have express ed op-
position 10 him for the place.
John Dresbach-I have seen and refused
10 sign the petition against Judge McKenna
because l am for this State, While he may
not be the greatest lawyer we have ia this city
he is good as some OF those Eastern
jays who might be appointed II he were not
believe in man known 10 US out here.
Jo.eph Naphtaly-I have known Joe Nc
Kenna Tor many years. He is as shTewd and
Studious a lawyer you will find in the en-
tire country. 1 have found him prompt ana
clever. He is vigilant, active, clear headed and
honorable. lie IS essentially student IN every
sense OF the word.
+ sher Ames-I. know Judge MeKenna
well like him III every way, but l do not
really bell We a lawyer should rush into print
in a matter of this gravity. / cannot express
an opinion on the subject without violating
NV sense of proprlety.
X. Porter Ashe-There is a petition in cir
culation. 1t is what the sports would call
warm one, too. but did not sign 1t If l had
an opinion on such matter l would express
1t, but never appeared in Judge McKenna's
court and have no opinion You can lind
many men who have seen the petition and
hear III at great many have signed it. 1t sets
forth thai McKenna was negligent with cases.
1t gives list OF causes that he failed to dis
pose of while on the bench and states that he
is in every way unqualified for place of so
much re sponsibility.
John L. BoOnt-The Portland lawyers and
Kenna are ''onto their job" as the phrase
runs. He is a nice little fellow personally, but
is slow, lgnor ant and absolutely incompetent
man for the place, He botches everything he
touches. never saw a m ore Unfit man for
the bench. On the simplest matters he would
dismiss he jury and ask for a brief on ques-
uous that should be decided by any court of
proper qualifications without serious re-
search. He knows no law and he knows ii,
but he is cunning enough us politician and
crafty enough as a man TO "seem to have O
wisdom ne bath NOT ALWAYS ADnearS in
the light of wise and most denberAttve owl.
IL would be dIsgrnce 20 put so weak, vacil-
lating and little man in so big place. 1t is
a shame If the lawyers have not the bravery
TO express their opinions. The dignity OF the
bench ought 10 be upheld by preventing the
scandal OF such mans promotion to power.
John II. Garbsr-No petition has been
presented TO me. nor nave heard OF 1t. do
not care to say anything on the subject now.
l decline TO say whether l think McKenna
big enough man for the place.
w lliam fieisoN-Judge McKenna is
line law-e-. l think the circulation OF this
petition is disgrace to ali engaged in it. l
have found McKenna thoughtful. studious,
pains taxing and clear-headed Judge. He
struck me as being the most thorough and
painstak ng of students and man who is
thoroughly conscientious.
Congressman j. Maguire-l will not
sign tue petition against Judge Mckenna,
though have heard OF the fight against him.
1t is my belief that 1t would not be q proper
matter Tor me TO discuss.
John Il. Mhoon-1 have such relations
with the Judges and prospective Judges that
must quote one OF the favorite opinions OF
Hall McAIllster-"That l h We no opinions on
any pubic question except such as l keep TO
myself l make this sacrifice to my clients, to
whom the airing OF my views might be Of
fens.ve''
r.. ;. Pil1sbury-I cannot conceive why
ms petition should have ben in circulation.
l have not signed 1t nor would l take part in
such matter.
Colonel John ". Eyans-I do not care 10
be interviewed on this matter, though / know
Judge Nc Kenna very well. Everybody knows
him, and 1t will not require the reporters very
ioag to learn how he stands with the compe-
tent lawyers of this city.
w. w. foote-If ! were appointing Su-
preme Judge from Caliiorni ! think l could
make as good q selection If no. better one.
oelleVe, however, that Judge McKenna is as
capable as some of the other Justices on the
bench.
Il. ;. Heller believe that Judge Nc
kenna is perfectly competent / tried several
cases before him in the Circuit Court and
found him capable and pains taking.
W. Ill. MetsoH-I have not heard OF any
netltion being circulated against Judge Nc
kenna. have always considered him an able
and conscientious man Out firm has had
many Cases before HIM and + is from the OPP
portunity thus # lrded of observing him that
lredcned my estimate of his worth. ! always