The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-21
NAMING Of SCOIH|RN
Was by the Court Practically
Unanimously.
NEW ATTORNEYS CAREER
No Stranger to His New Task
"A Native of Ohio.
NEW ATTORNEYS CAREER

Guthrie, o. T., Nov. 2O.-The selection OF
John w. Scathorn by the supreme court
of the territory to temporarily fill the po-
sition of United States district attorney,
pending the appointment by the president
OF a successor to the late Samuel L.
Overstreet, is generally regarded as the
atelogical and rightful outcome of a deli
cate situation. Mr.. Scothorn was the
first assistant in the office of the United
States attorney, by virtue Of which po-
sition he was thoroughly in touch with
all the business and every detail of the
office, and 1t was hardly reasonable 10 be-
ueve that the supreme court would go
outside of the Office in making temper
airy appointment. 1t was not surprising,
therefore. that Mr.. Scothorn's selection
was by a unanimous desicion Of the
court, with the exception Of Justice Nc
Atee who, in voting for J. c. Strang, ex-
planned that il was purely through
strong, personal friendship, and disclaim-
ing any intention of rejecting upon Mr..
Scothorn's high reputation as a lawyer
and his ability tc conduct the affairs Of
the Office of United States attorney.
The final decision Of the supreme court
was not announced until midnight Satur-
day night The court had convened at
o'clock in the afternoon and an informal
discussion showed Justice Hainer favor
ing Scothorn, Justice McAtee for Strang,
and Chief Justice Burford and Justice
Burwell non-committal. Justice Irwin
was absent, but wired that he was I'M
conditionally for Scothorn. The situation
was in this shape when an adjournment
was ordered until today to await the ar
rival Of Justice Irwin, but at $50 o'clock
Saturday night Chief Justice Burford and
Justice Burwell took a carriage and
drove to the residence Of Governor
Barnes, where they were in consultation
with the governor for an hour or more |
Just what was talked over in this meet !
ing is not known, but the fact is clear !
that at the end of the consultation the !
two justices returned to the court room, |
convened, revoked the order of adjourn /
ment and after a brief consultation with !
Justices Hainer and McAtee the appoint |
ment Of Mr.. Scothorn as temporary !
United States attorney was announced. |
Mr. Scothorn was present in the court |
and Immediately took the oath Of Office. /
J0nn w. SCOluOTl, WHO SuCCetuS ~ Lllc /
Office so ably and so popularity filed by /
his predecessor, was born in Vinton coun-
y, Ohio, on the 22nd of March, 1856, and |
twenty-five years later, on May 5th, 1880, /
was admitted to practice in the supreme |
court OF the state. He evinced dispo-
sition for politics when he was old |
enough 10 ride a horse to bring voters to /
the polls, and when but 25 years Of age /
was elected mayor of Hamilton, Ohio. He /
was a warm admirer Of Senator Foraker |
in the latters political fights and when |
Foraker was elected governor Mr.. Scot |
horn was in partnership with H S.
Bundy, father-in-law Of Governor For
aker, at Wellston. In January following /
Governor Foraker's election, Mr.. Scot
horn was appointed to a position in the
adjutant generals office, which he held
throughout the entire term Of -four years.
In May. 1890, he came to Oklahoma as
special agent for the general land office,
and was afterwards assigned to assist
United States Attorney Speed in the /
prosecution of perjury cases arising out |
of land contests. He was engaged in .
those duties until 1898. when he was re-
leved by the change of administration. /
In February, 1898, he was appointed sec
ond assistant United States attorney, and /
the following month he received his ap- /
pointment as first assistant.
Mr.. Scothorn's most recent promotion .
leaves a vacancy in the office of first |
assistant. which will remain until filled |
by appointment from the attorney gem /
eral Of the United States. It is generally |
conceded. however, that B. S. Mcclure, /
the present second assistant viii he pro-
NOTED to the vacancy The only out |
spoken candidate for McGuire's place. in |
the event Of his promotion, is l. NJ. /
Keyes, who at present is deputy district /