The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-19
PLACE FOR MORRIS
The New Federal Judgeship Which
Is Proposed for the State
of Minnesota. ..4s
Judge Morris Appointment Not a
Foregone Conclusion, but
,~. Very Probable.

From The Journal Bureau, Room II, Post Build
ing, Washington. <..'- -. go = - '.'- r. !
Washington Dec 19.-Perhaps the APP
polntment Of Judge Morris, now a mem
her Of the Minnesota, house delegation, to |
the new federal judgship which will be
created by the bill row pending, ought not
to be regarded as a foregone conclusion.
Judge Morris would like to go on the
federal bench 1t Is the ambition. Of his
life. When he was on the district bench
In Minnesota he so liked the work that
he with reluctance resigned to enter the
race for congress. His mind is dist1nc-
lively judicial and not legislative, and as
federal judge he would be ornament
to the American bench and bar.
But notwithstanding his ambition, it is
pretty we'll understood that he will not
become an active candidate, or permit
any active work to be done in his behalf.
He thinks that the dignity or the position
ought to forbid anything of that kind. !
But he will have the united support Of the
Minnesota members in the house Of repre-
sentatives. and it has been assumed that
the two senators would support him. In
fact, it has all along been understood that
the pending bill was introduced with
especial reference to Judge Morris. and
that nobody else was in mind for the ap
pointment, so far as the congressional
delegation is concerned. This is made
clear by the fact that the bill was not
| introduced in the long session Of con-
gress, which closed last July. Had it
been then introduced and gone forward to
| final passage, Judge MoEris whose term
of service in the house will not expire
until next March 4, would have been in
eligible. The bill was introduced during
the present month, however. and so
| phrased to permit him to fill the posi-
| tim, If appointed. Everything thus far
| done with reference to the bill in Wash
| 1ngton seems to have been done with
Judge Norris in mind This week the
| bill was passed in the senate, and it will
| probably be got up in the house. after
the holiday recess. I am satisfied that
| If the house delegation were to think
the appointment of another man likely,
| it would hesitate about urging the bill
| to final passage.
At the same time, it is to be expected
| that other: candidates will appear. A
| federal judicial position is not open every
| day, and there Is always large field of
candidates. The coming out of Judge
Brill Of St. Paul, does not necessarily COM
| plicate the situation, viewed from this
end of the line, nor will the coming out of
| other gentlemen who will probably be in
the field before many months. should the
| bill become law.
| In the final analysis, Senators Nelson
and Clapp will have the appointment.
How they will get together regarding it.
4 remains to be seen. So far as known,
they have not considered the question
up to this time. Should they disagree.
however, the appointment would probably
go to the candidate having the support of
one of the senators and the house dele
cation, which in this instance would mean
| Morris. for the house members are solidy
and enthusiastically for him.
1t Is pointed out here that Judge Brill
is not well located to be a candidate.
T T inn lie
and II st. Paul comes forward for the
other place on the federal bench, there
would probably be howl from the other
portions of the state that would be heard
as far away as Washington. The demand
will be for some man outside the twin
cities. and On this point, also, Morris fills
the bill
AS I have said, while the appointment
of Norris ought not to be regarded as a
foregone conclusion, it is fact that every
move thus far made here has been with
reference to his candidacy the bill itself
bearing internal evidences Of the desire
. of the delegation that he be appointed
Indemnity School Lands. 80.
! . 1t is probable that soon after the holi-
days an effort will be made to pass
through the senate the Eddy resolution
granting permission to the state of Min
nesota to select indemnity school lands in
the northern part of the state in advance
of the formal approval of the survey by
the commissioner Of the general land
t office. 1t will be recalled that this reso-
luton was introduced last session too late
for action before adjournment, but it was
: put on the calendar, ready for action at
this session. 1t was called up by Chair
man Lacey of the public lands committee
last Saturday week. and after an ex-
PLANTATION by Mr.. Eddy, passed without
t division. There is little doubt that it will
go through the senate as soon as it is re-
ported from the committee on public lands
3 of that body.
t w. w. Jermane