Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-14
Pennsylvania Democrats Will Elect a
Supreme Judge.
SCRAMBLE FOR THE NOMINATION
Prospect That Convention at Har-
risburg Will Last Two Days.
JUDGE SMITHS CANDIDACY

HARRISBURG, Pa, June 14-For the
first time in many years the democracy
enters upon a state campaign assured Of
the success Of at least portion OF its tick
ct. This peculiar condition is due to the
election of two supreme court judges next
November to fill the vacancies caused by
the death of Judge Williams and the retire
ment of Chief Justice Sterrett next Janu-
ary No elector is entitled TO vote for more
than one candidate for this Office, and as
there will be two elected each of the great
parties will get one.
Governor Stone will probably appoint the
democratic nominee as soon as his nonlina-
ton is certified to the state department. In
which event he would rank the nominee OF
the republican state convention. The gov
ernor rendered the appointment to David
Watson of Pittsburg leading counsel for
Senator Quay in the trial of the conspiracy
cases in Philadelphia, short time after
Judge Williams death. Mr. Watson de-
clined, and then the honor was rendered
to Representative Simon p Wolverton
of Sunbury. and he, too, declined. Mr..
Watson did not want the office because ne
preferred ts~remain in active practice, and
Mr. Wolverron declines through fear that
he could not be nominated.
He was ambitious to become supreme
Judge and was one of the most active cam
didates before today's convention for the
nomination. The republicans VIII hoid
their convention late in August or early IN
September to nominate their state ticket
Nominations Today.
Other candidates to be nominated by to-
days convention superior court judge
and state treasurer. The selection of the
candidates for these offices and the making
of a platform have been almost entirely
lost sight of in the exciting struggle for
supreme court judge. There are more than
a score of active candidates in the Held,
and the outcome of the convention is
problem that even the most astute poliu-
clan cannot solve. 1t has been free-for-
all fight from the start and when the con-
Vention began its work the result was as
much of an uncertainty as ever. National
Committeeman Guffey and other party
leaders apparently kept hands on, ana
there was no evidence of a slate or combi-
nation. The contest seems to have in
fused new life into the democracy. as the
convention was the largest and most enthu-
sfastic ever held IN an Of year 0nly~afeW
of the candidates are here in person direct
ing their campaign, but each has his poitti-
cal manager, with a host Of lieutenants and
shouters.
Some have bands of music, and for
twenty-four hours the streets in the center
of the city have been filled with music and
the cheers of the politicians. The best OF
feeling seems to prevail among the friends
of the various candidates, and the rivalry
thus far has been friendly.
Judge Smiths Candidacy.
One of the most formidable candidates is
Superior Court Judge Smith of Scranton.
II he should be nominated he would re-
sign at once from the superior court ard
thus assure the election of the nominee Of
todays convention for that honor II Judge
Smith is not nominated there will be no
rivalry for the superior court nomination.
Representative VIM. T. Greasy of Columbia
is almost certain of the nomination for
state treasurer. He has the Ield 10 himself
and will probably be nominated by accla- +
nation. All Indications point 10 a two
days convention.
Contest Narrowing Down.
The contest for supreme court judge may
terminate more quickly than many expect.
At noon indications favored the nominal
ton of either ex-Representative Wolverton
or Judge Yerkes of Bucks. While Judge
Kennedy of Allegheny may lead on the
first ballot his friends have about given
up hope of his nomination. Some of the
aspirants are quietly dropping out of the
contest, and after the first ballot several
others will drop out. II the nomination
should go west Judge Mestrezat of Fay
ette stands q good show. The convention
hall at 11:30 am. began slowly filling up.
The weather is intensely warm and dele
gates and spectators are divested of all
spare clothing.