The San Francisco call., 1897-12-11
A NARROW AND CONTEMPTIBLE E
PROTEST.
RrookrIrn u. VI Fazla.

BrookyI Iyn N. " Eagle
The protest against the appointment OF At
torney-GeDeral McKenna 10 the bench OF the
United States Supreme Court Is signed BY
George Il. Williams, Attorney-GeneraI Of the
United states from 1871 until 1873; william
B. Gilbert judge OF the Uni!ed States Circuit /;
c. 3. Bslllnger, Judge OF the United States
District Court; Judges shattuek, Stars and
George OF the Oregon State Circuit Court,
and by about fifty members OF the bar. Il
says il effect that M. Nchenna's reputation
among his legal snd !udicial brethren has
not accorded him high place, but on the
contrary hss justified the conclusion that he
is not either by natural gifts, acquired learn
ing or decision OF character ouaIted for any
judicial place o. importance, much less for
signers further declare hat they have al
tsched their signatures 70 the protest without
personal feeling or without malice. They
have been prompted 10 declare themselves
because they believe il 10 be their duty 10
their country no longer 10 keep silence IN
other words, they are willing 10 sacrifice
themselves on the altar OF patriotism.
Wei! Let Us see. IN the first place the Re-
publican party sent Mr.. Ackenns 10 Congress
and made him prominent mem Der OF the
Comm itIee on Ways and Means. IN that posi-
non he made an excellent impression on al
classes OF opinion. He wss made a United
states District Judge BY Republican Presi-
tion Of Judges and who was universally
praised for his wisdom and skill and judicial
sppOin ImenIS He served on the bench with
out objection and with credit untIl he was
asked 10 become Attorney-Geuersl by Presi-
dent Mckinley.
Attorney-Genersl he has been for about nine
months. II that time the Government has
acquired the Union Pacific Railroad. or rather
hss acquired 1rou The Union Psc fc the full
face Of It's advances TO that corporation. He
has also construed section p OF the D4ugley
act in way 10 reconcile construction with
justice. and both with the rights and interests
OF commerce. The proposition 10 make b n
Co.. F~raa A.
the President - auy one except the other
memb OF The Cabinet, and they have ali aG-
Tised tnAt the nomination be made.
Now the protest against him Is lot made
signlhcs n because some Judges ot the same
standing o. lower standing than Mr. Nc
kenna eniOyed have gaed i, butit Is made
lures ClsLO1Ored ty the Gpuearauce
among them Of that OF George II. Williams
whom the people Of Oregon refused 10 keep
IN the S-aste. Ine Senate Of which Williams
had BEEN 8 mem Der refused 10 confirm MS ep-
poiatment TO the Uuiled States Suureue
Court, and even President Grant, with all
kindness toward those w no had received his
confidence and who had been selected 10 SIT
among his advisers, ielt required 10 retire hin
from tAe Attorney-Geaerblsnip
Much OF The judicial and legal opposition
comes from mem beTs o: The bench and bar
VINO, taken collectively, seem % be 3 forrni6s-
bic quantity, but whose mum bers are very
sTua ali, when compared with the st-eugi Of
The bench and bar Of the Pacific Coast NOT
only ale these men Yesfiyeiy small when
counted but most OF them are extremely light
when weighed. All OF the objeC iols which
they urge against M. MckeunAs appointment
as supreme Court Judge would be equally ap-
picAble 10 his continuance in once as Attor-
rey-Geners.. and II they are good citizens
possess ing courage OF conviction instead Of
mere spite hunters, they should demand his
IN peso hslent as Attoruey- General. lls teEd Of
protesting against a nomination concerning
which there s no Oficlal evidence that IL IS 20
be made sill
Al the bottom Of the protest and behind the
whole miserable and coniempilb proceed
ing IS the simple TACT the NJ. McKelna
WCrshipS GOD in his own way and saws MS
prayers In his own way. The claim 5 thEr
there Is already on the bench OF the Supreme
Court another maj Of the same spiritual tvpe
or stripe, and that there cannot be Two with
out peril 10 our institulions-peril OF some
kind or other The real objectors are out OF
sight and have put the slgners 10 the front as
sta King horses. The reasons which prompt
their course are so narrow aaG small and
so dssp cable thst there is Z room Tor them
IN American politics or IN American love OF
justice They are reasons v blch, becsuse OF
the mere fscI that they are sdYsnced against
MI. NckenRs, ought 10 contribu more 10 his
appointment Than anything else could do.