Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-01-19
Chief Judge Ross Succeeds Morrill,.

The announcement OF Hon. r. +. FL
fields defamation of the appointment of
United States senator to succeed Senator
Morrill,, and of Gov Smiths appointment
Of Chief Judge Jonathan Ross OF the Su-
prcme Court of Vermont to the vacant
position terminates what has been a try
| ing period for the people as we'll as for
| the executive. For various reasons it is
q matter of regret that Mr.. Ffeld felt
compelled to decline tho honor of seat
in the United States Senate; for it is gen.
state are as we'll qualified as he is to
make the most of a temporary member
ship in that body. Every Vermonter will
thoroughly appreciate the spirit Of tender
devotion to an invalid wife which leads
Mr.. Fiheld to put aside this distinguished
honor, and it is safe TO say that he has
thus added materially to the number Of
his admirers who are already host
throughout the State
The appointment of Judge Ross will at
once command respect throughout the
country owing to the exalted position
which he has filled upon the Supreme
bench of our State and this considera-
ton alone will lead many people to sane
ton the governors choice. A glance at
his varied career will show that he is
well qualified by experience in public af-
fairs to represent our State in any legis-
lative tribunal. A judge of our Supreme
Court since 1870 and chief judge of that
tribunal since 1890, he has established an
cnviablo reputation for his high sense Of
honor, his judicial fairness and his lofty
character To his legal and judicial quail
ifcations he adds other desirable quail
ties, having rendered the State valuable
and important service as member Of
our former Vermont board of edu-
cation. and having served as n
state senator with credit He will
make a careful thorough and absolutely
reliable member of the United States Sem
ate, and while no man could hope at his
age and during a short term to carve out
a brilliant career in that body, he will
perform creditable service for his State
and the nation. His relations with his
Vermont colleague will be congenial, he
and Senator Proctor having been members
of the same class in Dartmouth; but this
will not prevent him from having opin-
ions of his own and standing by them.
The governors solution of the senatorial
problem creates a vacancy on the Supreme
bench, which opens new opportunities for
executive appointment. If precedent is
followed First Assistant Judge Taft will
be appointed chief judge, while each of
the remaining assistant judges moves Up
one place, leaving the position of sixth
assistant judge held by Judge Thompson
to be filled by the creation of n new Judge
1t has been assumed by some people that
Gov. Smith might appoint Hon. Henry C.
Ide of ST. Johnsbury, and late chief justice
of Samoa. to the Supreme bench, thus dis
posing of one aspirant for senatorial hon.
ors and leaving the contest for the sup
port of the northeast counties of the State
to be fought out between the adherents of
Interstate Commerce Commissioner C. A.
Prouty OF Newport and Congressman w
w. Grout of Barton. The name of Hon.
John II. Watson of Bradford has also been
suggested in that connection. The fact
that neither Addison nor Rutland county
has representative in the Supreme bench
has led to the suggestion that the govern
or might select Col. Joel C. Baker of Rut-
land or some other good man in that sec
ton. Another possibility mentioned is the
appointment of Hon. b. +. Fifeld as A
judge of the Supreme Court. Public in
terest now shifts from the senatorship to
the Supreme bench. and the course of
Gov. Smith will be watched with "A high
degree of anticipation by the people Ct
Vermont