Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-09-27
The Judicial Appointments.

1.-THE naming of Mr.. w. P. Potter to
fill the vacancy on the Supreme Bench
marks a departure from the former
practice of taking either Judges from
the lower courts or lawyers OF such wide
reputation that previous judicial exreri-
ence would be conceded to be unneces-
sary. If it be objected that there are
some men at the bar more widely known
than Mr.. Potter, it must be remembered
that the limited circle of brilliant repu-
tations at the bar seldom furnishes
material for the bench. The immense
revenues which the lights of the pro-
fession derive from their practice render
the relatively small judicial salaries un-
attractive, but that has not prevented
the obtaining of able and upright Judges
at all times from the quieter elements
of the bar who are often to the full as
sound and clear-headed as their more
snowy contemporaries. The common
testimony about Mr.. Potter is that he
is man of capable mind and indus
trious habits He is doubtless as well
equipped as the average of those who
have been appointed or elected to the
Supreme Bench in the past, and while
he may owe his elevation in the fact OF
being Governor Stones law partner that
il no argument against him. The Gov
ernor should the better know his
qualifications. If he knows his own
partner has in him the making OF
good Supreme Judge it would be hyper
criticism to require him to take the
partner of somebody else in preference
The nomination of Marshall Brown
for the Common Pleas Bench is one of
the best judicial apr pIointments made for
many years. Mr.. Brown is man OF
fine intelligence and thorough legal
training, of the utmost integrity The
best evidence of his worth is to be
found in tie universal esteem in which
he is held by the legal profession. 1t is no
dlsparagement to other good names
which were mentioned to say that
Governor Stone conld not haye made
happier or worthier selection. He be-
longs to family which for so years has
been distinguished in the practice of the
law, and has fully sustained the tradi-
tional standard. Pittsburg Dispatch.
Yesterday Gov. Stone filled the va
cancies upon the Supreme and local
benches by the appointment OF William
p. Potter to the former and Marshall
Brown to the latter. The fact that both
the new judges are members of the bar
of Allegheny county makes their ap-
pointment of particular interest to its
people. While the selection of Mr.. Pot
ter was purely personal one with the
governor, whose law partner he has
been for many years, the States chief
executive is fortunate in having named
one whose appointment will be ap-
proved by the members of the bench
and bar who are familiar with bis
strength as lawyer. He has had
large and very successful experience at
the bar and has acquired a legal equip
ment which will stand him in good
stead in the important Office to which he
has been elevated.
The appointment of Mr.. Brown is one
which will be generally approved by
the bench and bar as well as by the
people of Allegheny county. He has
made most creditable record for him
self as a lawyer and is popular with his
fellow citizens. The fact that he is the
son of Maj. A. M. Brown, so well and
so favorably known to the people of
Allegheny county because of his long,
successful and honorable career at the
bar, naturally serves to increase the
satisfaction felt over his selection. =
Pittsburg Times.