The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-05
JUDGE COFF is EMPHATIC.
He Has Never Written Any Such Letter
as the One Attributed to Him.
NO WISH TO SUCCEED JUSTICE FIELD.
u,. Successor ~ u supreme Court Judge
Would Come from the Pacihc
Coast or the Ninth judi
ciaI circuit.

r,dee Nathan Gon, OF West Virginia
.ho o. here as one OF the judges OF
the United States Circuit Court oi APP
meals. was shown last night the u'SP"'0"
from Washington TO the eject 'h"' nc
had written "a letter 20 a friend J" 'n"'
city saving that he would not accept a
Cabinet position, but wished 10 70 o."
the Supreme bench. and asked II inc
statements contained therein were COT
rect. When he had finished reading inc
telegram. Judge Gon smiled and sad
EMPHATIC DENIAL.
81 know nothing OF any such letter anu
no friend of mine has received such "
i~,,o- from me. have never written a
word Of The kind mentioned in tlmt as
match. nor have / ever written a wOrd III
.hich the wishes OF Mrs. Gon or the
health OF Mrs. Mckinley has ocen men
TONED. nor have ] said a woro OF Wit
fer a line as TO my social in~chnatohs III
Washington OF elsewhere.
AS TO THE SUPREME BENCH
.Vbatcver may be my wishes as 10
a seat on the Supreme Bench. would not
expect. under any circumstances, 10 sue
coed Justice Field. In connection WIN
The country al large. and the bench ana
the bar I'm particular. II is TO be hopeu
that he Will for years continue me Won
derful career ne has made Tor hlmse,;
But. in case Of his retirement, ShVulu
expoct his successor 10 come from inc
Pacihc coast OF from the Nlnth Jeulo'"l
Circuit. would not ask the President
10 do a thing / would not do rayseli'
were ] In his place. and l should not
make an appointmcnt from any OtheT
locality.
las to my candidacy for the Senate:
am not and have never been a candidate
and | do not wish my name used IN con-
ection Herewith. / have no idea OF re-
linquishing my judicial duties
FOR A CENTURY.
Judge Simonton. who was present when
Judge Con said ne hoped that Justice
Field would not retire, remarked: You
mean that you hope he wiil continue 10
serve until ne shall celebrate his centen-
NAL on the bench"
yes. That's it," responded Judge Con.
At this juncture Mr.. William o. SHELTON,
OF the Richmond bar. came mp TO where
the two distinguished jurists were seated
and engaged with them I'm conversation.
lie was soon followed by Messrs. Rose
well Page and Mr.. +. y. Thomasson' OF
this city. who were introduced.
Judge Goff was in a happy frame or
mind. and informally discussed several
subjects with the reporter.
THE DIDSPATCH.
The dispatch referred to- above is as
follows:
WASHINGTON. Feb. "A letter to a
personal friend from Judge Nathan Gon.
OF West Virginia. states that he Will
under no conditions accept a cabinet
portfolio. Judge Goff goes on TO state
that his present position on the bench is
far preferable TO a seat around the Cabi-
net table: hat his wife's health and his
own inclinations would preclude his join
ing the Cabinet. where he would have TO
perform many social functions, and that
he would prefer TO continue to reside at
CiarksburL. W. Va. Notwithstanding the
frequent and prolonged absence from has
home, caused by his visits to different
points In his circuit.
Judge Cons friends say that his ambi-
ton Is to wear the ermine as a member
Of the Supreme Bench of the United
States. He frankly states that he has ms
an inheritance for his family the honor
OF having served in a Cabinet. and that
he can add nothing 20 this distinction by
sitting around Major McKinley's official
table. As a member of the Supreme
Bench he will not be- called upon to en-
terrain az frequently and as literally as
would be the case If ne were a membe
of the Cabinet. In that capacity he
would be. socially speaking. at the beck
and call Of the President IN entertaining
very extensively. and the next Cabinet
will have more social functions TO per-
form than any of its predecessors. be-
cause Of Mrs. McKinley's impaired
health.
Judge Golf Is said TO expect TO succeed
Justice Field. Of California. who has al
ready passed the age limit and who is
expected TO retire from the bench any
day. The mere fact that Justice Field
would retire and that hir. Mckinley
would appoint his successor has stirred
up somewhat political circles. and there
are rumors that Justice Field will retire
before the close Of the incumbent admin
%istration. thus giving Mr.. Cleveland an
opportunity TO name "a Democrat as sue
cessor TO Mr.. Field. who .s u Democrat.
IT Is stated that because Of the possibi-
lily OF Justice Fields voluntary retire
ment before March 4. rumors have been
revived that Judge GOff might be induced
TO become Major McKinley's Attorney
General. If he accepts. he will do so in
direct opposition TO his letter.-RaltimOre
Sun.