The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-12-14
DEPUE TO REMAIN.
He Is a Candidate for Re
appointment as Chief
Justice.

In fiat contradiction of stories published
recently it was authoritatively stated by a
gentleman very close to Supreme Court
Justice David A. Depue, and who is thor
oughly conversant with the Chief Justices
affairs, that Justice Depue had absolutely
no intention of retiring from office. He
said the story that Associate Justice Will
lam s. Gummere would be appointed ito
succeed Justice Depue was absolutely
without foundation.
This gentleman further said that the
health of the Chief Justice was better to-
day than it had been for many years. his
mental faculties were never keener, nor
had he ever been capable of doing better
work. Although he is seventy-two years
of age, his intellect has suffered no enfee-
Element and he works as hard as the
youngest judge of the court
''The appointment was given to him
by Governor Voorhees, without the slight
est solicitation on his part" continued
the gentleman, "and, in fact, he knew
nothing of it until he went to Trenton to
swear in former Chief Justice William J..
Magic as Chancellor"
As an evidence of his capacity for work
and ability to perform it, it was pointed
out that, although by reason of his office,
the Chief Justice could have selected as
his own the smallest and easiest circuit
in the State, he continued in charge Of his
original sphere of duty, which is the larg-
est and most difficult to cover.
Chief Justice Depue is an indefatigable
worker, not only on the bench. but at his
nome. He is rarely idle, and members Of
his family have great difficulty in per-
suading him to take proper rest.
You may positively state" continued
this gentleman, that at the present mo-
ment the Chief Justice has not the slight
est idea of relinquishing his Office
Several of the most prominent lawyers
in the city were seen, and in every case
seemed very skeptical about Justice Gum
mere's elevation. When shown the articles
referred to, one of them smiled and said:
Il don't believe word of it. In fact
don't think Governor VOORHEES, would give
Justice Gummere' the office under any cir
cumstances. This story was published a
year ago, when former Chief Justice
Magic became Chancellor, and it was said
then that Justice Gummere had received
a positive promise from the Governor,
but nothing came of it. 1 have known
Chief Justice Depue for many years, and
l think it is extremely unlikely that he is
going to retire.
AS far as his remaining in a high
judicial position other than that of chief
justice, as the article states, that is ridi-
culous. What other office could he take
without derogating his dignity? Is the
Governor thinking of allowing him and
Justice Gummere to exchange places?
The very idea is absurd!''
Justice Gummere is an ambitious
man." said another attorney of large
practice, "but I do not think he will be
made Chief Justice yet. Chief Justice
Depue is by no means worn out, and he
enjoys the dignity of his high office to
the utmost. 1t has always been his am
bition to hold it, and I don't think he
will give it up after one year only of pos
session. He commands the confidence
of the entire bar of the State and there
is no reason why he should retire.
The term of office to which Chief Jus
tiee Depue was appointed to fill out the
unexpired term of the present chancellor
will come to an end in the latter part of
the coming year. From present appear
ances that time will find Chief Justice
Depue still on the bench and candidate
for reappointment.