The San Francisco call., 1897-12-17
McKENNA'S
NOMINATION
SUBMITTED
Name by the President
to Succeed Judge
Field.
SENATE WILL DEFER
ACTION.
But the Confirmation Is to
Occur Soon After the
Holidays.
CALIFORNIA MEMBERS ARE
UNANIMOUS.
But the alton Is to
Occur Soon After the
Holidays.
CALIFORNIA MEMBERS ARE
UNANIMOUS.
Among the Pacific Coast
Senators.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

Ell
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
Attorney General Mckenna was to-day
dominated by the President to fill the va
cancy on the bench OF the Supreme Court
f the United States occasioned by the re-
irement OF Associate Justice Stephen ].
ie.d. The nomination of Judge McKenna
vas not unexpected, for it has been settled
ace the advent of the Mckinley ad N u
atIon that he was 10 succeed Judge
i9ld. The subject has been freely can
assed in and out of the Senate, and while
here is shadow of opposition it is not
elieved 10 be OF sufficient magnitude TO
efeat confirmation when the vote is
sken.
l was doubtless the intention of the
resident TO bestow this high judicial
oncr upon Judge McKenna at this time
OF only as a token of friendship and
-Cognit.on of his ability, but also to
ingle with 1t the compliments OF the
hrIstmas festival. 1t appears, however,
lat Judge MCKenna will be deprived of
le title of Associate Justice of the Su-
rene Court of The United States until
tzr the holiday recess.
Senator Hoar, chairman of the Senate
alton was referred, was expected to cali
special meeting OF The committee, so
at the nomination of Judge McKenna
ighI be reported back to the Senate for
nirmation before the adjournment for
e holiday recess next Saturday. The
ryu ar meeting lay of the Judiciary Com
ntee is Monday, consequently if confr-
nnlou was TO be had before the holidays
a spclal meeting OF the committee would
hsv to be called. After the nomination
reaoed the Senate this afternoon the
qUeiOn Of calling a special meeting of
tie ommittee was considered, and it was
decied that, in view OF the nature of the
opposition to Judge McKenna's confrma.
ton it would not be advisable to take
has6 action on the nomination, so it
viii 20 over to be taken up at the first
regular meeting of the Judiciary Com
mIire IN January.
Itis said that some of the Pacific coast
Seniors, VINO were originally opposed to
judge McKenna's confirmation, have
withdrawn their opposition. and a ma.
jorlty OF the Senator'S Will vote to confirm
him.
As one OF the Senators who was for
merly with the opposition remarked to-
night: This is a very appropriate time
for th5 President to send in Judge McKen-
na's nomination. We have not received
much on the coast, ana as there are sew.
eral Federal appointments in that section
OF the country pending, it is just as well
for US TO stand by the administration in
this case as 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
we 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 Sen
ators are urging his confrma alton. 1t is
difficult to make a successful fight against
a confirmation when the Senators from
the State interested are united in favor oI
the candidate.
In view of Judge McKenna's long ser.
wee in the House of Representatives, and
the fact that he is at present a member
Of the Cabinet it was supposed that some
OF his friends might try to have his con-
frmation exp dited, a. is sometimes done
when Senators are taken from the Senate
and appointed TO other branches of the
pub ic service. This subject was also
considered, but it was not deemed advis-
able by some OF the very best friends and
strongest supporters OF Judge McKenDa
10 make the attempt at this time.
UntiI the Senate acts upon the nomina.
tion finally, there VIII be no change in the
Cabinet. Governor Griggs OF New Jersey
who is slated to become Attorney General
%ar n ba Col
met circle until the middle of January.
Hence, the delay in the confirmation ot
Judge McKenna will not EN- barrass the
or weaken the cause OF the
new Judge.
A glance over the personnel of the Su'
Or, me Court as now constituted shows
tha the bench is stronger now than it has
been Tor many decades. Chief Justice
Fuller. while not a great Judge, has i'm
proved materially since his appointment.
His long service and hard study has
brought him well up in the estimation ol
The judiciary generally. Justice Gray o1
and Justice Bre ever oi
Kansas are considered the giants OF the
be ch in point Of legal ability, and their
dec sions are regarded as masterpieces by
the legal profession all over the world.
Justice Harlan of Kentucky was not
considered great lawyer wnen he was
appointed a mem ber of the court, but, be-
ing a hard student and man OF remark
a BILE literary attainments, he has become
one of the strongest me m bers OF the court.
Close to him comes Justice Brown oil
who is personally the most
popular member of the court. He
Is one of the most scholarly and pol
ished lawyers on the bench when put TO
the test, but, like the late David Davis OF
illinois, he is too full of good humor to
wear his life away too soon among musty
law books.
One of the brightest legal lights on the