Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02
THE HAZEL NOMINATION.
Arguments for and Against Conhf4na-
tfon Submitted.

A subcommittee OF the Senate on Judi
ciary, consisting of Senators Davis, Thurs
ton and Pettus, today gave a hearing upon
the nomination of John r. Hazel, to be
judge of the new western district of New
York. committee representing the New
York Bar Association, consisting Of Robert
W. De Forrest, VIM G. Choate, VIM. E.
Curtis and H. w. Taft presented a report
of the committee Of judicial nominations
Of the association against Mr.. Hazel. This
report was to the effect that the appointee
had not the proper standard of legal ex-
perience and ability for high judicial Of
flee, and that he had not been in active
practice of the law for many years. The
committee asserted that Mr.. Hazers Sc
lection was based upon political and per-
sonal considerations. Reference also was
made in the report to the 5000, which Mr..
Hazel had received IN connection with the
sale of the yacht Enquirer to the govern
ment.
There also was present large number
of gentlemen in the interest of Mr.. Hazel's
confirmation. They were introduced to the
subcommittee by Representative Alexander
former law partner of Mr. Hazel was the
principal speaker. devoting his argument
mainly to refuting the allegations that the
appofntee was not a good lawyer and active
practitioner.
Justice Hatch spoke upon the report of
the New York Bar Association. and said
the standard which it sets. up Is very high
and would not do in the state at large
Justice Kinnifick stated that one of the ar
guments against Mr.. Hazel was that he
had not a college education or was not a
graduate from any law sehool. He said IL
this was made a standard a large propor-
ton of the bar would be excluded from
the bench.
Justice Quackenbush disputed the state
ment that Mr.. Hazel was not in active
practice, and produced a calendar Of Erie
county showing that his firm had eleven
cases in the superior court at the present
term. He also produced an affidavit made
by Mr.. Hazel regarding the sale of the
yacht. showing that the sum of $s0,O0O had
been paid to Mr.. Connor for the yacht and
that he (HazeD received 5000 for his fee
Senator Thurston inquired what. there
was wrong or irregular In this matter, and
Justice Quackenbush said not thing ex-
cept that the bar association had made
point of it and had not given the friends
of Mr.. Hazel time to reply.
Mr.. De Forrest, speaking for the aSsocia-
tion. said that 1t did no more than to offer
the papers in the case, and that there had
been no time to notify the friends of Mr..
Hazel of the matter.
Justices Woodward and Hooker COM
mended Mr.. Hazel as a lawyer and man
of integrity.
Ex-Judge Lewis of Buffalo also commend
ed Mr. Hazel, and said the only thing that
been active in politics and probably had
withdrawn from the law practice to some
extent during the past few years.
Mr.. De Forrest in closing, said that the
New York Bar Association had presented
the committee the opinion of a body of law
yers a judicial appointment.
This closed the hearing.
Judge HazeFs Fee.
Judge Hazel has filed with rhe Senate
Judiciary committee an afidavit concerning
his connection with the sale of the Conners
yacht to the government. He says that the
money he received from, Mr. sConners was
for services rendered; that the entire pur-
chase price of the yacht. sSo000. was paid
through him to Mr. Conners. and that Mr..
Conners paid him $5,0o for his services in
negotiating the sale. Ga this point the af-
fdavit concludes:
pending the negotiations the auxiliary
committee had the purchase of many
steam vessels under consideration, and Of
tentimes a number of days elapsed before
a hearing was granted me. and 1 deemed
my services. inclusive of expenses, were
reasonably worth the sum of 5000. which
Mr.. Conners. paid me. and which l have
concealed" i"