The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-19
JUDGE COLES SUCCESSOR
The President Expected to Name
District Attorney Anderson.
A Personal Friend of Mr.. McKin-
Iey-His Success in ORce-AshIey
VI. Gould VIII Probably Succeed
Him-A Boom for Il. =. leighton.

VI. 0ouiu III frobably succeed
Him-A Boom for B. =. Leighton.
1t is stated or high authority that the
President has decided to appoint Thomas
H. Anderson, the present District Attor-
ney, to the vacancy in the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia. caused by
the resignation of Associate Justice Cole.
The elevation of General Anderson to the
bench will undoubtedly be followed by
the nomination of Ashley NJ. Gould to
be United States District Attorney in his
stead. Mr.. Gould is now Assistant Dis
trict Attorney.
1t is expected that the official announce
ment of these nominations will be made
within few days. Justice Cole will re-
tire Monday, and it Is anticipated that his
successor will qualify shortly thereafter
There is still being made an effort to
secure the appointment of B. F. Leigh
ton as justice. Mr. Leighton was can
didate for the office at the time Justice
Barnard was appointed, a year and half
ago. The President Is said to have decid-
ed to name General Anderson. however,
and in consequence the friends of Mr..
Gould are confident that he will be the
next District Attorney.
General Anderson is a native of Bel
mont County, Ohio and has long been a
warm personal friend of the President.
He has always been a hard worker in the
ranks of the Republican party and in
each campaign has taken an active part
on the stump The President holds him
in lofty regard, personally. and has a
high opinion of his legal ability.
When the term of Henry E Davis as
District Attorney expired General Ander-
son was selected as his successor out OF
a long list of applicants for the honor
He has been remarkably successful in the
prosecution of a large number of impor-
tant criminal cases during his incumbency
of office, and has won the respect and es-
teen of the bench and bar. When he was
made District Attorney it was predicted
that he would be elevated to the bench
when the next vacancy should occur. but
it was not then anticipated that Justice
Cole would resign. 1t was thought possi-
bic that Chief Justice Bingham, who is
eligible for retirement, would soon leave
the bench and that General Anderson
would then be appointed, as both are
Ohio men.
General Anderson was a practicing at
torney at Cambridge, Ohio. when Presi-
dent Harrison appointed him in Septem-
Der, 1889, to be Consul General and Minis
ter Resident to Bolivia His rank was
shortly thereafter raised to that of Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
tiary He resigned in January. 1893. and
Immediately thereafter settled in Wash
ington and began the practice of his pro-
fession. He was appointed District At
torney in October. 1899
Mr.. Could as one of the younger mem
bers of the bar. has won an enviable repu-
tation, and he has the endorsement of a
large numoer of the leading members of
the bar. A petition in his behalf. signed
by more than one hundred leading attor-
neys. was presented to the President yes
terday. and his appointment as District
Attorney is regarded as practically as
sured.
Although Mr.. Gould resides in Takoma
Park, and has been a member of the
Maryland Legislature. his interests are
all in Washington so that his nomination
would be regarded practically as a local
appointment His experience in the Dis
trict Attorneys Office is said to have es-
pecially fitted him for the place, and in
fact it is stated that he virtually has the
field to himself.
Two separate meetings of members of
the District bar were held yesterday aft
ernoon to consider the adviSability of rec
ommending some one for the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Justice Cole.
The younger members. numbering nearly
one hundred, met at the Office of Percy
NJ. Brown and decided to endorse Benja-
min F. Leighton for the position. Sever
al OF the older members met at the office
of Worthington. Head & Frailey. in the
Columbian Building, to consider the mat
ter. but it was stated after the meeting
that 1t was determined not to recommend
anyone for the vacancy.
was not learned, as 1t was said by one of
the attorneys who was present that ii was
agreed not to make public what line of
action the conferees agreed upon in ref
ereuce to the selection of successor to
Justice Cole.
Corcoran Thorn presided at the meet
ing of the younger members of the bar
with Percy VI. Brown as secretary. Mr.
Thorn explained the purpose of the meet
ing, saying that it is the wish of a great
number of the members of the District
bar that the vacancy caused by the res
ignation of Justice Cole should be filed |
by the appointment of a practitioner at |
the District bar, who is resident of the |
District.
George F. Williams made a motion that |
the meeting endorse Benjamin +. Leigh |
ton for the vacant justiceship. In sup
port of the motion, Mr.. Williams spoke
in the highest terms of Mr.. Leighton for |
the position. The motion was seconded |
by A. Z. L. Leckie and Wilton J. Lam |
bert. An amendment was offered by |
CharleS a. DOugiaSS TO the effect thlt a |
of ten members of the bar be |
named by the chairman to press Mr.. |
claims for the office. The mo- |
ton as amended was unanimously en- |
dorsed.
a motion providing for the appointment |
Of a committee to wait upon the Presi- |
dent and urge Mr.. Leighton'S appoint
ment to the vacant justiceship WAS also |
Mr.. Thorn will announce the |
names of the members of the two COM
nittees this morning.
SnOwstorm in Chicago.