Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-16
DISCUSSING The JUOCESHIP
Legislators Talking About a Successor to
Judge Woolsou.
SEVERAL CANDIDATES FOR TIL: PLACE
Towncr's Friends Claim that They
VIII Yet Succeed in Landing Their
Man-First ballot on
senator To-day.

DES MONIES, Jan. 15.-(Special Tclc-
gramD-Politicians have spent the legisla-
tive recess discussing the probable appoint
ment of a successor to the late Judge Wool
son on the federal bench, which is expected
soon. There has been a story current today
that the Gear people have made discoveries
which led to the conclusion that Judge Hor-
ace VI. Towner of the Eighth district did
not remain true to them during the late
senatorial fight and so he will not get the
appointment, which has until now been con-
ceded to him. The Gear people are reticent
about specific charges in their discussion of
the matter, but admit there is truth in the
story, the result OF which is that the can
didacics OF Judge Smith of Council Bluffs
and Judge Davis of Keokuk are being put
in the lead, with chances between the two
about equal.
But Judge Towner's friends have not given
up yet. They insist that they have another
card to play, which will land their candi-
date, 1t is believed this intimation has a
bearing on the candidacy Of w. w. Morrow
Of the Eighth district for state treasurer.
Morrow is looked upon as a Gear man and
it is said that the Gear forces have been
figuring upon his being a member of the
executive council ever since he was brought
forward for the office six years ago and de-
feated. Judge Towners friends intimate
that IL he is not given the federal judge
ship they will force him into the race for
the supreme judgeship this year, and should
this be done 1t would unquestionably blight
the hopes OF the Gear people in getting
Morrow on the council. This being the
present situation, 1t looks as If the friends
of Judge Towner stood at least another
chance Of putting him on the federal
bench.
There is still much feeling in political
circles against the appointment going to
the Ninth district, which has more than
a half dozen federal offices now, while the
Eighth district has but one, that of United
States attorney for the southern district,
the First district to claim the appointment
for Judge Davis on the ground that it has
but few federal offices.
1t is understood the Iowa delegation will
get together at Washington in the near
future and decide the matter, although
many politicians believe the matter has
been practically decided by the powers be-
fore this and that nothing now can change
it.
The Legislature Convenes at 2 p. m. to-
morrow, when each house will ballot sep
arately upon United States senator. Re-
publicans will cast their vote for John II.
Gear and democrats for Fred White, late
candidate for governor, and the following
day both houses will meet in joint conven-
ton TO compare votes and make out the
certificate Of election for Gear.
Speaker Bowen says he will not announce
the house committees until Wednesday
morning. The belief is still prevalent that
the speaker will be fair in his appointments,
giving special consideration to the Cum |
minis and Eaton men, and no surprises are
anticipated. The bill to provide for three
or four new normal schools in Iowa, the
most important measure to come up at this
session, will probably be introduced this
week.