The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-23
Illness Of U. S. Supfso Court
Judge Gray Thought to be Hopeless

Senator Pugh OF Alabama, the closest
and best friend that great Lamar ever
had in public life, then enjoyed the envi-
able distinction of being chairman of the
Senate judiciary committee, was utterly
unable to win over to Bamars support
the Alabamian's most intimate personal
friend Senator Vest. These two had been
in the Confederate Congress together,
and had always been and still are the
closest of friends-Mr. Pugh and Mr.. Vest.
Mr.. Pugh was likewise unable to inHu-
ence Senator George and one or two
other Democrats on the Judiciary COM
mittee in Lamar's favor. The Alabama
Senator had induced President Cleveland
to appoint Mr.. Lamar Secretary of the
Interior in the first Cleveland cabinet;
he had largely Influenced the President
to nominate the Mississippian for the
Supreme Court, and he was determined
to use all honorable means to secure his
friends confirmation for the highest tri-
bunal. In his efforts Mr.. Pugh succeeded
In inducing two Republican members of
the committee, one of whom was Leland
Stanford of California, to vote for ia
vorabe report. Thus, by majority of
one the judiciary committee recommend
ed Mr.. Lamar's confirmation, and the
recommendation was endorsed by the
Senate and Mr.. Lamar took his seat on
the Supreme bench, where he remained
one of the greatest of the justices until
he killed himself by overwork, as is well
known.
One day, months afterwards, Senator
Hoar approached Senator Pugh and said:
Senator, 1 have great pleasure In con-
Tossing my error In opposing Lamar. Gray
tells me Lamar is one of the best, ablest
and most Woodworking men on the Su-
preme bench!
Lamar is dead, George is dead, STAN
ford is dead, and Justice Gray who paid
the proud tribute to Lamar is incurably
afflicted.
Mr.. German was in Washington today
and was seen by distinguished friend
of mine. who assures me that In his long
acquaintance with the Maryland leader.
covering a period of nearly twenty-five
years, he never before saw German SO
vigorous In mind and body, nor so full of
hope and high purposes
MY friends conversation with Mr.. Cor
man being private, he did not relate it's
substance, but he declared that in his
opinion Mr. uorman's nomination for the
Presidency two years hence was vir-
tually assured. The man who made this
declaration is Democratic leader who
for a half century has been conspicuous
before and honored by the country, and
who, during a large part Of that long
period. has he'd the highest public office
outside the White House.
"Gorman's nomination Is assured" he
said, land 1 hav, no doubt of his cleo
ton. He Is the one man to lead the
Democracy to victory, for he is practi-
cal man In whom all the people place the
strongest confidence. German is not a
theorist-he is a practical worker; he does
great things whilst other men talk about
them. He never advanced a IN ere theory
of government in his life, but has always
proceeded to work out the practical and
the practicable. No class Of men in our
country would experience the slightest
uneasiness by Germans election to tho
Presidency.
LUCIEN JULIEN WALKER.