New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-01


Mr.. Hazel is now about forty years of age. He
spent time at the Buffalo High School. He
was admitted to the bar shortly after he became
of age. He did not study at any college at
law school. Mr.. Hazel admitted the bar in
1882. For few years thereafter he in active
practice first clerk and later junior part
ner OF a reputable law firm at Buffalo. AS to his
industry and experience during that period. of the
extent of his practice in petty courts Buffalo.
his share In the preparation OF cases in courts OF
record. first for his employer and later of his firm.
and his participation in therein satisfactory
evidence has been furnished that his profess
sonal record up to about 1890, while not conspcu
Gus, is equally not subject Of criticism.
For a few years previous 1890. however. he had
actively engaged in political work. and In 1891
changed hts legal connection. He has since been
engrossed in politics that his activity and repute
have been in that direction, rather than In that OF
his profession. Though still & member of a law
firm. he has been little known for the last eight
ten years. either to the courts or to the bar. in
connection with the practice of the law. Mean
while he has become the local leader at the city Of
Buffalo of of the great National parties.
NO EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL COURTS.
There is some dispute to the number OF times
Mr. Hazel has appeared in any court during the
last ten years. and to the number Of legal
matters in which he has been personally concerned.
The committee have been referred any e.
ported case in State report In the argument of
which he is recorded having taken part 1t is
stated. and not denied. that he has appeared
at any time in any Federal court any question.
and has never taken part a lawyer In any mat
ter involving admiralty. patent revenue bank
ruptcy law.
The gentlemen who appeared before your
mtttee in advocacy of his confirmation presented
to the committee volume entitled Application
and Letters of Endorsement of John r.. Hazel for
United States District Judge in and for the West
ern District Of the State Of New York. containing
letters recommending his appointment. which
understand were presented to the President of the
United States.
This volume includes letters from all the Jus
tees of the Supreme Court of the With District.
and, we also understand. from all the County
Judges and Surrogates. Members of Congress, Dis
trict Attorneys and judges of minor courts of the
With judicial District, well from large
number of other gentlemen well known in public
life This volume, taken together, includes the In
dorsement of no less than 800 persons
The committee are satisfied, after careful exam
tnatfon of these letters. In connection with the
statements made behalf of Mr.. Hazel by MEM
bers Of the Buffalo bar that the recommends tons
of Mr.. Hazers appointment based mainly upon
political personal considerations. upon per-
sona opinion of personal friends. 10 his posses
sion of qualities which will enable him to. in time
become competent Judge, and not upon any pro-
fessonal qualifications achievements at the bar.
Numerous members of the Buffalo bar including
ex-Judge Loran l.. Lewis John G. Mburn. Adel-
bert Moot. Frank Brundage and George Gorham
join in stating that they have rarely, If ever met
court and that he lacks the learning and legal ex
perence required of Federal Judge.
Notwithstanding the number of MIR. Hazers In
dorsements, think that person should be
appointed to the important office of District Judge
unless qualified by knowledge and experience in
the actual practice of the law.
Political ability and ability in affairs which Mr.
Hazel has shown In a marked degree. though quail
fcations for political and other positions. not
qualifications for judicial Office unless accompa-
pipd nv 1Rpa ahi ity md vyh MIR
Hazel does not possess
DESERTS POLITICAL. NOT LEGAL
We cannot avoid the conclusion that his deserts
are political. rather than legal and his selection
a regard of political service, explained
such rather than a recognition of professional
prominence merit.
The committee have deemed 1t their duty to OBJ
tain for the Bar Association of the city of New
York opportunity to be heard the impor-
tant question of the confirmation of this nominal
ton. This has been secured. They have also
deemed It their duty make a careful and impair
tial examination OF the facts relating Mr. Hazel
and his appointment, and report the result to the
association. This they have undertaken to do by
tier report
We report for adoption, the following resolution
Resolved. That judged by the standard of judicial
requirement which this association has repeatedly
adopted. viz, That the career of candidate
for judicial Office should furnish unmista kable
evidence of capacity and fitness discharge its
duties this association does not deem John r.
Hazel fit candidate for the Office of District
Judge. and is OF opinion that his nomination
should be confirmed.
Since this report was drafted there has heen
brought the attention of the committee the
evidence in suit for commissions sale of a
steam yacht the United States Government
which Is transaction in which Mr.. Hazel is stated
to have received $1,000 and which recent allu-
sion has been made in the public press The evil
dence of Mr. Hazel and of Mr.. Corners the gentle
man FOR whom he is stated to have effected the
sale. as contained in the stenographers minutes
are presented with this report
rms matter has come to the attention of the
committee so recently. that they have had no time
TO communicate on the subject with Mr. Hazels
friends.
ROBERT w DE FOREST
JOHN L. CADwALADER.
EVERETT P. WHEELER
PAUL n. CRAVATH
WILLIAM EDMOND CURTIS
JOHN DE WITT WARMER
THEODORE CONNOL,.
ROBERT G. MONROE
ew-York, May 81. 1900.
The report was unanimously received and
adopted, and motion then made for the
adoption of the resolutions. Speaking on behalf
or this motion, John L. Cadwalader a member
OF the committee. explained the attitude which
the committee had taken. and referred at the
outset to the question of the propriety of the
Bar Association in taking the action it did
We find" he said. that whoever is appointed
to the place for which Mr. Hazel has been nom,
mated will be expected to sit in New Yors for
three or four months in each year He will not
be required to sit in any particular court but
will be expected to take his part as a Judge of
the Federal Court in trials and equity and other
things which belong to equity and to the large
jurisdiction which attaches to a Federal Judge