The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-22
SPEER NOT A CANDIDATE.
THE JUDGE SATISFIED TO PRESIDE
IN THE DISTRICT COURT.

!
IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
He Has No Desire to Break Up His
Home for the Greater Honor and
the Increased Salary Is No Induce
ment to Him-District Attorney Err
win Says Judge speer Could Get
the Circuit Court Judgcship IL He
Coveted II.
1t can almost be finally stated that Judge
Emory speer, of the United States Dis
trict Court will not be a candidate for
the position of judge of the Circuit Court
provided for in the bill which has just
passed Congress and which the President
is expected to sign in due time
Judge Speer would not discuss the mat
ter personally yesterday when seen by a
Morning News reporter II would prefer
not to be Interviewed in reference to the
matter" was all that Judge Speer would
say personally.
United States District Attorney Mar
ion Erwin was asked for information on
the situation and the probability of Judge
6peers name being presented for the con-
sideration of the President.
Mr.. Erwin was on the Mckinley lectoral
ticket as a candidate for elector at the
last presidential contest in 1895, and is in
touch with the leading politicians in the
state. His extensive personal acquaint-
ance and contact with the members of
the bar of the state of all political afilia-
tons places him in position to be well
informed Of the situation. He is known
also to be warm personal friend of Judge
Speer. In reply to questions Mr. Erwin
said
There is no doubt in my mind, nor in
that of his many friends all over this state
and | might well say all over the United
States, that if Judge Speer would allow
his name to be used he would be recog-
nized by the President as pre-eminently
the man for the position, and that he
would be appointed and confirmed beyond
question. Judge Speer has a few strong
enemies and many strong friends. No
man Of strong personality could act on
the independent lines along which he has
moved, without making some enemies. But
ne is powerful with the masses. He is
the one man in Georgia who could
believe, come down from the bench and
break every political combination which
party lines could draw, on a contest be-
fore the people. The people of Macon gen
orally, where he lives and is best known
seem more concerned lest Judge Speer may
be called away to other fields of useful
ness than for anything else, although they
would, of course. take pleasure IN any
thing which would give him substantial
preferment. The suggestion sent out from
Washington to the local papers in advance
of any statement from Judge Speer that
he would he a candidate, TO the effect
that he could not be confirmed, in the
face of his previous confirmation as dis
trict judge, and the strong national record
he has since made on the bench. is too
absurd to De taken seriously, and simply
shows that he is the one man of whose
supposed aspirations certain others inter-
ested stand most in dread.
Il have known for several days that
Judge Speer will not be a candidate. Not
only that, but that he would not desire the
appointment If rendered to him. Judge
Speer has a beautiful and typical Southern
home in Vineville, a suburb of Macon, and
a charming home life that he has no wish
to surrender. While an ardent student he
has accustomed himself during his whole
life 20 take a great deal of exercise, horse
back riding in the afternoons and strolIs
through the woods and fields with gun and
dogs when the business of the courts per-
nit The change incident to the holding
the courts i'm the three important cities of
Macon, Savannah and Augusta furnis hes
In itself a recreation. The judge likes con-
tact with the people. He believes that
justice is more often reached by looking
at the witnesses face to face and taking
first Impressions from The actors in the
case. He believes that there is a greater
field of usefulness for him in his present
n position than in the Circuit Court of APP
peals
In fact. when the Circuit Court of Ap-
peals was first created, know that the
administration desired him to be appoint
ed then. bu. he placed on file in the de-
partment of justice a distinct expression
of his wish 10 remain on the bench of the
District Court.
"Of late years Judge Speers income, out
side of his salary, has been such as to
make the trjfing increase he would re-
ceive as circuit judge of no importance to
lively that he would not desire the ap-
pontment even if rendered to him.
In regard to the rumors that Mr.. Erwin,
the district attorney, and Mr. Leaken, the
assistant district attorney, would antag-
ouize each other for the district iudgeship
| in case Judge Speer was made circuit
judge, Mr. Erwin said: Mr. Leaken and
I have been personal friends for years.
/ There has been no antagonism between
us whatever. and none thought of. We
are personal friends, and there is hardly
| a remote possibility that we will be or
would have been found antagonizing each
other for this or any other office"