The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-09-04
WILLIAMS APPOINTED.
Named By Governor Smith to Vacant
Judgeship in the Fourth
Judicial Circuit.
liz DID NOT SEEK THE APPOINTMENT
Acknowledged as One of the Leading AL
legany Attorneys-A Short Sketch of
His Life-A Native of Calvert County.
Was Candidate for Congress

The appointment of Mr.. Ferdinand
Williams as associate judge of the
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Maryland
to fill the vacancy caused by the death
of David W. Sloan, accepted as a fore
gone conclusion for several days, has
been made by Governor Smith and
Mr.. Williams has received his COM
mission.
Saturday he was the recipient of
many congratulations The Balti-
more San says:
I'm behalf of Mr.. Williams it may
be said that he did not seek the APP
pointment; it comes to him through
the Executive on the voluntary sug-
gestion of the Democratic members of
the bar in all three counties of the
circuit, along with the good will of
many Republicans, who recognize his
ability and have faith in his fairness
and confidence in his fearlessness.
1.-The appointment of Mr.. Williams
means his nomination by the Demo-
Gratis for the full term of IS years, and
the submission of his claims to the
voters of the circuit in the autumn of
1908.
''Of the other judges in the circuit
Hon. A. Hunter Boyd, the chief judge,
was elected as Democrat and Hon.
Edward Stake as Republican. The
great volume of business constantly
going on in this circuit, among an en-
terprising people, imposed it upon
the Executive to make choice of the
third judge as quickly as possible.
Cumberland, like Hagerstown, needs
the constant presence of a Judge, and
Garrett county business is growing
every day. The work was too much
for two judges, one of them being re-
quired to give attention to Court of
, Appeals duties as well as the duties of
the circuit
/ Governor Smith, in making the an
Nouncement of the appointment, was
very complimentary in his expressions
about Mr.. Williams. He said:
1.-The bench and the bar of the cir
cult seemed to have no one else in
view, and found Mr. Williams to be
fully equipped by training, ability
and other requirements for the Judge
ship, and it gave me great pleasure to
add my recognition of his fitness by
appointing him. | believe he will be
acceptable on the bench, as he I'M
doubtedly is to all his fellow citizens
in private life"
Ferdinand Williams, son of Rev.
Henry Williams, a native of Mont
gomery county, Md, was born in Cal
vert county, Md, January 81, 1916.
He was educated at the Maryland
Agricultural College, and studied law
under the direction of his brother,
Henry Williams, now President of
the Second Branch of the City Coun-
Gil of Baltimore and president of the
Weems Steamboat Company. While
engaged in the study of law Mr.. Will
liams was deputy clerk of the Circuit
Court of Calvert county. He married
a daughter of the late Col. Richard
ID. johnson, and after entering the
bar in 1867 went to Cumberland to
practice his profession. He has been
employed in most of the important
cases tried in Allegany county, and
was close friend of the late William
Walsh, with whom he was associated
in most of the cases.
In 1890, when Judge Richard H.
Alvey resigned the chief judgeship of
the Fourth Circuit Ferdinand Will
liams was recommended by the Allie
gany county bar to the Governor as
his successor. The appointment, how
ever, was given to A. Hunter BOYD.
Later Mr.. Williams was chairman of
the Democratic committee of Allie
gany county and conducted most
vigorous campaign for Judge Boyd,
which resulted in his election.
Mr.. Williams was nominated by ac-
clamation for Congress in the Sixth
district of Maryland at Hagerstown
September -, 1894, but the Republi-
cans were victorious at the polls. His
name was presented to the convention
by Representative VIM. M. McKaig,
who presided over the body. Up to
this time, although a most uncom-
promising Democrat, Mr.. Williams
did not take an active part in politics
and his prominence came when tariff
reform became an issue.
Governor Frank Brown, on August
10, 1895, to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Judge Henry w. Hoff.
man, appointed Mr.. Williams. The
appointment gave entire satisfaction