The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-29
HE DECLINES A JUDGESHIP.
CONGRESSMdE RAY RELUCTANTLY
PUTS ASIDE = GREAT HONOR.

Gov. Roosevelt Offered Him tho Plnce on
tho Bench Made Vacant by tho Death of
Judge Follett, but He Decided That Duty
Required Him to Remain iu Congress.
Senator Plat said yesterday afternoon that
amid all the Joys and cares Of political life he
would like to stop a moment and say good
word for the Hon. George W. Ray. Representa-
tive in Congress for the Twenty sixth district
which includes the counties Of Broome. Che
mango. Delaware. TioRa and Tompkins. Mr..
Ray comes from Mr. Platt's home Congress dis
trict. Mr.. Platt the last year or two has be-
come rather partial to the Maine idea that Is
OF building IN the Republican New York Con-
Rress delegation at Washington Just as the
Maine Republicans build theirs, and keep
their men to the front in the House Of
Representatives. Gov. Roosevelt and Senator
Platt have had several conversations OF late as
to the appointment OF a successor in the
Supreme Court to the late Justice David l..
Follett OF the Sixth Judicial district. which in
cludes the counties OF Otsego. Delaware. Madi-
son. ChenanGo. Broome. TioRa. Chemung.
Tompkins. Cortland and Schuyler In looking
over the Republicans who were eligible to sue
coed Justice Follett. Gov. Roosevelt and his
friends decided that Representative Ray was
the man. and as a result the Governor sent this
communication to Mr.. Ray:
Il desire to offer you the vacant Judgeship
I find that the opinion OF the Judges and all the
leaders OF the bar is practically unanimous In
your favor"
In reply the Governor received the following
from Mr.. Ray. dated July 81:
Permit me to thank you most sincerely for
tho proffer. contained in your letter OF July 25.
Of the appointment to the vacant Judgeshp in
the Supreme Court created by the death Of
that distinguished jurist. the Hon. David
L. Follett. | have given the subject most
serious and careful consideration. for the
declinaton OF position upon the bench where
$1,000 pcr annum. saying nothing of the high
character and dignity of the position. involves
point to be lightly or inconsideratrly made
=, sense OF duty to my constituents. my
deiberation. to decline the pro 1r honor nor
and position at this time | have arrived at
this c1neusHn with great rcluctanse for II has
upon the bench in this high court Of our State
oIIn al that b is sTdaee and that can
Congress Of The United States, aud at the No
FifysiXth Congress- which will assemble next
December The denomination and r"Hlection
were asked by me. and carry an implied II not
an express promise and obligation on my part
70 faithfully perform the duties OF representa-
reratiye duty to fulfil that Obligation 1t is
true that another Of e1nal or superior ability
wanting in the experience so necessary to the
proper discharge OF the duties OF Representa-
tive in Congress
The National Administration is confronted
at the present tme with new and perpexing
problems growing out OF our recent successful
war with Spain. especially those relating to
the government OF Cuba and the control Of the
Philippine Islands. With the legislative action
necessary to solve these questions | have
greater mlliarty thnn a new member could
have. and to a greater extent also am familiar
with the wishes and plans of the Administra-
ton. and as our majority in the House is mar
row feel that tn" post OF duty Is the position
now occupy. | cannot truthfully say that my
declination OF the position offered is not per-
soual sacrifice. hut 1t Is chrcrfuly made in the
full belief that the post OF duty is not that
which brings the greatest emoMments or the |
longest tenure, but that which best serves our
fellow men and our country"
IT may not be necessary to add that Mr.. Rays
appointment would have been followed by
nomination and election for supreme Court
Justice Of the Sixth district.
Now that Mr., Ray has declined tho place.
Gov Roosevelt, it was said Is somewhat at sea
as to picking ont the right man to succeed Jus
tce Toilet. geographically and otherwise.
There are about a dozen candidates for the
place.