Evening star., 1899-09-21
POSSIBLE VACANCY
Justice Charles O. Cole May Resign
From Bench
TO TAKE UP PRIVATE PRACTICE
Unsettled Condition of Successor
ship to Judge Cox
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYSHIP

The friends Of Justice Charles c. Cole Of
the District Supreme Court would not be
surprised to hear Of his resignation a
member of that court in the near future.
BY some it is thought that he has already
intimated to the President that he may
expect to receive his resignation This,
however, is not SO, as today when the
matter was called to Judge Coles atten-
ton by Star reporter he said that he had
not resigned and did not know that he
would
Should Justice Cole tender his resignation
1t would occasion little surprise to those
who are closely acquainted with him. for it
has been known for quite while that he
has entertained such an idea. Indeed, the
judge thought of resigning at least two
years ago, reported in The Star at
the time. but for reasons best known to
himse.. he determined to continue on the
bench. He was appointed member of the
District Supreme Court by President Harri-
son, to succeed Justice James, who retired
from that office He entered upon his judi
cial duties February IL, 1898, resigning the
position of United States attoroney for this
District, which position he had held from
the 9th of March 1891, and it was his emf
nently successful conduct of that office
which is said to have Influenced President
Harrison in placing him upon the District
bench.
AT the time OF MS appointment as at
torney for the United States Justice Cole
enjoyed a large practice here, which prac-
tice he did not wholly relnquish until his
appointment as member of the District
Supreme Court. At that time it is under
stood that his brother, the late Wyman l..
Cole, succeeded to the greater part of that
practice. Wyman Cole, whose death oc-
Cured few weeks ago. not only added
his own not by any means inconsiderable
practice to that of his brother, but stead
lily increased 1t so that upon his death he
was regarded enjoying one of the larg-
est and most lucrative known at the Dis
trict bar 1t Is the opportunity of secur-
ing this practice which is regarded in
f1uencing Justice Cole to retire from the
bench and devote himself to private prac
tlCe again.
Filling Vacancies.
In local legal circles this situation has
become known to some extent, and 1t is
confidently stated by some that District
Attorney Davis will not be appointed either
as the successor of Justice Cox or of JUS
tice Cole. There seems to be little, II any,
doubt of the Presidents determination to
appoint Mr.. Thos. Anderson as the at
torney for the United States, vice Mr.. Da-
Wis and it is even intimated that a pre-
iminary to Mr.. Andersons appointment
the President has asked for and received
Mr. Davis resignation. 1t is rumored that
the President Is inclined to select either Mr..
Job Barnard or Mr.. Andrew B. Duvall, the
attorney for the District, for the place left
vacant by Justice Cox's retirement.
Mr.. Davis Position.
The statement obtained circulation today
that District Attorney Davis has sent word
to the President that he does not any
longer wish to be considered as candidate
for the vacant judgeship of the Supreme
Court of the District. Mr.. Davis has fur
ther stated, is was said, that he has never
been candidate for the position. He has
never desired to be SO considered, and the
mention of his name has been by his
friends.
This information created surprise, in
view of the general belief that Mr.. Davis
had been practically decided for the
judgeship Mr. Davis. it is said, had re-
ceived no intimation that he would not be
selected by the President Mr.. Davis, when
asked today as to this story of his sending
word of his withdrawal, said there was not
a word of truth in it.
The appointment of Gen. Thomas H. An
derson as district attorney to succeed Mr..
Davis will be made within ten days, it is
now stated.