The herald., 1897-12-06
FIELD OF
POLITICS
Judge Ross Opinion Of
Judge McKenna
CONGRESSIONAL AsPIRANTs
PATToNs' SUPPORT AND M'LACH-
LAN'S SLIM CHANCE
Fusion Forces Concede the Naming Of
the Candidate to the Demo-
crats-Political Gossip


crats-Political Gossip
On the Pacific coast the sensations,
event Of the week, in political sense
has been the discussion that has beer
inaugurated over the proposed elevation
Of Attorney General McKenna to the SUI
preme bench of the United States.
A surprising opposition has sprung ur
among the members Of the bar and OF
the federal bench. In Washington and
Oregon the opposition to Judge McKen-
mas elevation Is most pronounced. Here
in Los Angeles the Hon. Erskine M
Ross, judge of the United States circuit
court. takes pronounced position
against the promotion of the present at
torney general. This is what Judge Ross
said in discussing the matter with a
newspaper correspondent several days
ago:
Attorney General McKenna is not
qualified. nor is he competent to fill the
post Of associate justice of the supreme
court of the United States"
Have you signed a petition or ad-
dressed a letter to the president re-
questing that he do not name Judge Nc
Kenna as the successor Of Judge Field ?"
he was asked.
mo, sir; have not signed any such
paper. have never been asked to do so.
I have arrived at the conclusion that
President Mckinley will appoint Judge
McKenna. I think he has fully deter
mined to do SO. Any letters or commu-
nication addressed to him on the subject
would be Of no avail"
What do you think the bench and bar
of the Pacific coast will do with. regard
to Judge McKenna's appointment"
II do not know of any concerted ac-
ton to defeat his confirmation in the
event he Is appointed. But attorneys
generally who are acquainted with
Judge McKenna as a rule do not think
the appointment is a wise one. He is not
competent.
II look upon the position of associate
justice Of the supreme court of the
United States as one requiring the high
est order Of ability and qualifications,
which Judge McKenna does not possess.
l know that the judges of the United
States circuit bench do not look upon his
elevation with favor.
know Of but one who feels that the ap-
pointment is the proper one to make.
Before Judge McKenna Is confirmed
I think q full expression Of opinion will
be, obtained by the judiciary committee
Of the senate. of. which Senator Hoar Of
is chairman. 1t is,
believe, the custom for this committee to
secure opinions from various sources
before acting in a matter of that import
ance.
Should my opinion be called for
shall certainly have no hesitancy in CIV
ing 1t, and In detail.
Let 1t be understood that I am not
casting the slightest reflection upon the
honor and integrity Of Judge McKenna
when I say that do not think that he Is
to sit as an associate Justice
Of the supreme court of the United
States"
The question that is agitating politica,
will represent this district in congress
after the retirement Of Hon. Charles
Barlow, which is now soon to come.
James McLachlan seems to be very
willing to try as Republican candidate.
,ut It is q question as to whether or not
le can get the nomination. Hervey
was Mr.. McLachlan's political
packer, and secured for him several
at the hands Of his party
hat he could not otherwise have had.
But Mr.. Lindley, in a political sense, Is
no more.
McLachlan has had O peculiar career
n Los Angeles county politics. Picked
Up Unexpectedly in 1890, he was elected
district attorney. Renominated in 1892,
,e was overwhelmingly defeated at the
,olls. But that defeat did not seem to
>ut the slightest damper on his am
oitions. He secured the congressional
in 1894, and was elected by a
arge majority. But In 1896 he again
ell by the wayside. and was defeated.
+ things are going to continue in the
uture as they have in the past with the
honorable James, the next time he runs
8 his time to win. But the question is,
will his party let him run? There Is a
ceiling that the party has given James
lmple opportunity, and that now some
me else should have chance.
There are several other Republicans
Who would take the nomination IL they
elt convinced that there was no reason
bile probability of the voters of this dis
rict turning down the Republican nomi-
lee. There is William p. Dunn, the
'ity attorney. and there Is also Frank r
Flint, the United States district attor-
ley.
But these gentlemen are not look
ng for empty honors. They want ar
election to go with the nomination. With
it IL different. He has
to gain and nothing to lose.
I he is elected, his political prestige
would be regained. If he was defeated
le would be no worse or than he il now.
The Silver Republicans and Populists
ecm to concede the congressional nomi-
lation in this district to the Democrats
or next year. Some friends Of Major
I. w. Eatton are speaking Of him In
with the nomination. Ma
or Patton ANNOUNCES positively that he
las retired from politics, now, hence
orth ana foreyermore. He says under
10 circumstances could he accept any
or other nomination. He
nnouncss that he is.for George 8. Pat
on.
And 70 It A with others. Nathan Cole.
=, Il for Patton. Adolph Ramlsh u Tor
alton. John n, Gattey u Tor Patton
7. +. Burke 4 Tor Patton. Judge !. /