Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-12
THE US. JUDGESHIP.
The Candidates Whose Claims Are
Now Being Urged.
HON. WIN. n'NETT IS MENTIONED.

HON. WIN. M'NETT IS MENTIONED.
The Appointment WIFI Not he Made
Until After the Senatorial suc-
cession Has Been Fought
Out and settled.
From Mondays Daily.i
Des Moines Capitol: In the matter
of the appointment for the United
States district judgeship to succeed
John S. Woolson, deceased, one thing,
at least, is certain, and that is that the
appointment will not be made until af-
ter the senatorial succession has been
fought out by the general assembly
of the state next month. There are too
many candidates and too much at
stake by the present senatorial incum-
bent for the appointment to be made
prior to the assembling and action OF
the legislature. OF the score Of candi-
dates already suggested, the Iowa dele
CATION in congress, with Senator Gear
playing whip, must choose one and
! thus make nineteen disappointed and
nineteen disgruntled losers. Senator
Gear can i'll afford to do this in the
present crisis and SO the judgeship APP
pointment holds over for six or seven
weeks.
The political camp is divided as to
Congressman Smith McPherson's
chances, some holding that he can
have the appointment if he wishes it
and others maintaining that Senator
I Gear and lis supporters in the Iowa
congressional delegation will give the
plum to more doubtful Gear district
| than either the First, Eighth or Ninth.
But the postponement of the judgeship
l appointment until after the senatorial
fight in the legislature and the with
holding of all promises and pledges
until after that time for fear of losing
\ the support Of the disgruntled Judge
shin candidates, puts new light on
1.-THE claims of half of the political
camp.
Complications may arise which
may throw the place over to Congress
man Hepburn or Judge Towner, OF
Hepburn's district, Judge Henderson of
1Indianola, or perhaps Judge Deemer of
with Judge Smith of Council Bluffs ev-
er a formidable candidate.
The new candidates named for the
appointment are Vim. McNett of OF
!. tumwa, c. L. Poor of Burlington, Judge
Dewey of Washington county and ex-
Judge Ryan of Keokuk county. Judge
1 Horace NJ. Towner of Corning also
looms up more formidably than he did
last week, and Judge Walter I. Smith
of Council Bluffs, is well up in the
field.
A meeting OF the Wapello county bar
! has been held at Qttumwa and VIM.
/ McNettl unanimously endorsed for the
4judgeship. iMr. McNett is a prominent
/ attorney OF Wapello county and al
though not judicial incumbent his
| friends maintain that he is well equip
ned for the place. Mr.. Poor of Burling-
! ton is also a well known attorney, but
! his chances are looked upon as of re-
mote character inasmuch as Henry
county is hoping against hope for the
senatorial succession and the Gear men
maintain that pushing Mr.. Gears can
didacy at present would be rather inn
/ polite. When asked concerning the
use of his name as possible candidate,
4 Mr.. Poor said:
i st is desirable position and GER
4 tainly would not refuse it. am con-
sidering the question of becoming an
active candidate. The appointment will,
of course, necessarily be governed by
considerations of policy, and if con-
clude that there is good prospect for
this locality to get the appointment
will try to secure it.
. Judge Dewey has received the sup
port of the Keokuk county bar, ire
4 spective of party.
Judge Towner of Corning is looked
/, upon as the logical leader Of the anti
Hepburn forces in the Eighth district;
therefore it may be desirable and me-
cessary to give the appointment to him.
The Eighth is by no means solid Gear
district, the sentiment and support
there being divided between the two
senatorial candidates, SO Judge Town
er's appointment might be the means
. OF saving both Senator Gear and Con-
oressman Hepburn.
The meeting OF : the Montgomery
county bar association, which endorsed
Judge Smith at caucus held last
week, was irrespective OF party. The
members present pledged themselves
to do all in their power in the further
ance of Judge Smiths candidacy, and
Judge Deener and Congressman Nc.
Pherson could hope for but little sup.
, port from that county, in the event Of
their candidacy.
One of the indirect matters con.
. cerned in the judgeship succession is the
under offices connected with the place
over which the Judge has the power Of
appointment. The clerk Of the United
States district court is appointed b,
the United States district Judge. Al
present the incumbent is j. j. Stead
man of Council Bluffs. The salary O
/ the clerk is $4,000 year, which mus
:. be paid out OF the fees OF the clerk.
J Office. That is, the clerk retains fee,
: to that amount for his annual salary
The United States district judge ais,
. appoints a secretary or stenographel
!, and messenger. This political pa
* tronage will doubtless be considered
I in the matter of the judgeship appoint
ment.
e POLICE AND COURT NEWS.
CofIaan Adjudged Guilty I'm DIstric
Cnur-Un pOlIce Court