The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-14
FAMILY OF JUDGES
Senator Bakers Nephew APP
pointed to Federal Bench.
HIS Appointment Creates a Stir
In Indiana.
SON ABOVE FATHER.
Mr.. Bakers Brother Is Judge
of u. 8. District Court.
Son Will Pass Upon His
Fathers Decisions.

A nephew of Senator Baker has just
been appointed United States circuit
| judge in Indiana Senator Baker $
| brother, father of the newly appointed
| Judge, is also on the federal bench
According to the Chicago News the
appointment by President Roosevelt
has caused somewhat of a stir in po-
litical circles as the following would in
dictate:
Washington, ID. G, Dec 1.-THE ra-
pidity with which President Roosevelt
when he appointed Judge F. A. Baker
of the Indiana supreme court to the
vacant United States judgeship in the
Seventh district. The court sits at
Chicago and Indianapolis. Baker was
supported for the office by Senator
Beveridge and Congressman Brick. Sen
ator Fairbanks, National Committee
man Newlands and eight Republican
congressman We're unanimous in their
opposition to Bakers appointments
Some days ago the congressman called
in a body upon the president and told
him why they were against Baker They
said that he was not of a judicial TEN
permanent and besides, his father, John
H. Baker, is now a member of the
United States district court of Indiana
On the occasion of the visit the presi-
dent is said to have emphatical1y stated
that Baker would not be appointed I'M
der any circumstances. After the meet
ing he was considered eliminated from
the list of candidates and the pulling
and hauling began with the field re-
Great was the surprise of the In
diana statesmen when the announce
ment was made at the White House
that Baker would be appointed The
surprise was followed by anger.
1T MEANS said one Indianian, that
the president does not give a continental
for the judgment of eight out of nine
of the Republican members of congress
from Indiana. 1t also means that Sen,
ator Beverage was not SO foolish as
n any supposed when he went horse
back riding with the president. 1t is
another victory for the rough riders
The confirmation of Judge Baker,
which will not be opposed by Senator
Fairbanks, will produce a unique and
probably unparalleled condition in the
federal judiciary. His father is a mem
Der of the district federal court and
when Judge Baker goes on the bench
he will be a member of the appellate
court, which will pass on the decisions
rendered by Baker senior.
1t is also charged by the Indiana con-
gresham that Bakers appointment is
the second made in that state by the
president of men who have spoken
slightingly of President Mckinley.
Baker is said to have severely criticised
Mr.. Mckinley at the time the supreme
court rendered the insular decision last
summer. The other appointee who was
opposed for this reason was Fred Kim
berly at Orleans.
The president sent Mr.. Bakers name
to the senate today for confirma ton. At
the White House it was said that the
appointment of Judge Baker should not
be regarded as a great victory by Sen
ator Beveridge, but as the first act of
the president in carrying out his policy
of making all judicial appointments on
his own responsibility Mr.. Roosevelt
regards the judiciary so impOrt ant that
he says that he would not allow pull
to enter into it in the least. He will
listen to suggestions, but he refuses to
be bound in any manner by the wishes
of senators or representatives in his
management of the federal judiciary.