The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-06-04
THE PRESIDENT
Decides CT a Nan to Appoint to the
Vacant Judgeship
IN TIE COURT OF CLAIMS.


anii il Supported by Foilucai
Opponents. TiiImau Won't
Interfere.
The special correspondent Of tht
Columbia State from Washington says
President Roosevelt Thursday an
nounccd that he had determined On
n:an Tor the vacant judgShip in the
ccRrt q claims. Senator McLaurin is
generally regarded as the winner 0!
this Juicy plum and his nomination
NAV be sent to the senate any day.
McLaurin'S resignation from the sen
ate vii! probably follow very shortly
the announcement OF his appointment.
There's a possibility that be will then
take occasion to review lis career
in the srnate and his reason for re-
signing. The vote on the Philippine
government bill having been been set
for next Tuesday. Senator McLaurin
will hardly resign from the senate be-
fore casting his vote in support OF that
measure. thereby coming 20 the aid OF
the administration that has shown him
so many fav1rS.
Shortly after the death Of Judge
Davis there was great scramGiing
among q number OF senators to carry
of the prize for some one Of their con-
stituentS. Senators Scott and E!klnS.
of West Virginia, have been at the
White House a number OF times to
urge the name of Former Gov. Atkin-
son. Senator Platt Of New York pre-
sented the claims 0: Representative
Alexander Of Buffalo, personal friend
of his and in every may acapable man
for the place. In order to "cinch:'
matters for his candidate, it is said
that Senator Platt introduced some
New York politics into the game. At
any rate President Roosevelt had de-
cided in favor of Boss Platt's candi-
date and Col. Alexander was receiving
the congratulations Of his more in
innate friends when the preident'S at
tention was called to the fact that
New York already had a man on the
court of claims bench. The prSident
therefore realized that partiality.
would be charged if Col. Alexander,
another New Yorker, were appointed,
and he explained to Senator Platt that
he would have to recall his decision.
This left still NUM- Der OF candidates
in the field and ex-Gtov. Atkinson ap-
parently in the lead.
In the last few days though the list
of possibilities dwindled down to one
the junior senator from South Caro-
lima. President ROosevelt'S friendship
and regard for the senator are known.
and furtherm ore he would be but car"
rying out the wishes Of President Nc
kinley in providing a comfortable
berth for Senator McLaurin. A Judge
ship on. the court of Claims carries a
salary of 81, 500 and life tenure. It's
social advantages make the Office much
sought after.
1t has been suggested in case the
senator were nominated for the office,
that his colleague would endeavor to
prevent his confirmation by the Sert-
ate. Friends Of Senator Tillman de-
clare that the suggestion is purely a
gratuitous one and that in their
opinion he would do nothing Of the
kind. either directly or indirectly
through some OF his friends in the Sen-
ate. Because :or personal reasons the
senator has seen tit to hold up certain
federal appointments made in South
Carolina at the instance Of Senator
McLaurin. is. they argue, no indica-
ton that he would do the same by his
colleagues appointment. The reasons
for which Senator Tillman has been
keeping McLaurin appointees on the
anxious bench: are not, it is thought
such as would cause him to hold up
NcLaurin's appointment to an Office
that is entirely remote from South
Carolina politics.
In this connection, it is known that
a number Of personal friends Of Sena-
tor McLaurin in the senate. among
the Democrats, have been. eXertlng
strong influence to have the senator
to the court Of claims. The
Democratic senators who have been
Senator McLaurin for the
office happen to be among his most
pronounced opponents on certain po-
litical issues and are supporting him
entirely because Of their strong per-
Soual friendship fer him.
But what is ot more vital interest in
South Carolina circles is not the ap-
pointment Of the senator so much as
the consequences. 1t is believed that
Senator McLaurin will accept the
iudgShip. His senatorial term eX-
pireS next March and as he is out OF
the race FOR reelection there is really
very little that he could accomplish be-
tween now and the crd Of his term.
II he is rendered the appointment and
accepts. he VIII Of course resign his
scat in the senate. And then what:
It will be uD to Gov. McSwceney. No
one has suggested that the governor
Will SHOW any reluctanc" this time
about accepting designations from
senators. Nor could he very we'll de-
cliGc to appoint d successor to fill out
the uHeXpired term Of Senator NcLau-
'. =,