Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-26
CAPITAL CHAT.
A Maine Man for the United
States Supreme Court?
The Maine Members and the Roll Of
the National House.
The Governments Close Watch for
Smallpox Cases.

Washington. D. c., Feb. 25.-(SpeciaD.
"A prospective vacancy in the Su-
preme Court of the United States,
which many believe is near because of
the illness and advanced age of JUS
tice Horace Gray, occasions no little
talk here about available men for the
bench in New England. 1t is not i'm
probable that President Roosevelt
might he willing to take man from
Maine. if one of sufficient qualifica-
tons, were to be found. Justice Gray
is from Massachusetts and Massachu-
sets will unquestionably be anxious
TO have one of her eminent lawyers Sc
Iected to fill his place. But Justice
Gray is the representative of New
England on the high tribunal and
logically there is no reason why the
new Judge should not come from one
of the other New England states. In
fact there would seem to be better
reasons why the man should come
from Connecticut, or Vermont, or
Maine. rather than from Massachu-
sets as Massachusetts, has had a man
on the Supreme Court bench for
twenty years.
or course il is not to be lost sight of
that Chief Justice Fuller is a native of
Augusta and lived many years in
Maine. graduating from Bowdoin Col
lege. but he Is not on the bench in any
sense as a representative of Maine or
Of New England but rather Of Illinois
and that section Of the West. Justice
Brown of Michigan. is stils another
representative Of the Middle West and
Justice Brewer represents the South
west, coming from Kansas. Justice
McKenna represents the Pacific coast,
Justice Peckham. New York, and Jus
tice Shiras. Pennsylvania, and Justice
White the South. Justice Harlan also
represents the South and the Missis-
sippi, as coming from Kentucky.
Therefore it is plain that the President
would have every reason for appoint
ing justice from New England. 1t is
many years since Maine had one of her
own citizens, aside from native son.
on the Supreme bench and the Presi-
dent would De bound to give con-
sideration to the claims Of any well
qualified man from that section. The
Maine bar is one of the best known in
the country and the decisions Of the
Maine courts are. highly regarded by
jurists the country over. If the Presi-
dent really desired to find a Maine
man. he would probably be able to do
so without much trouble.
The roll call of the House of Repre-
sertatives. which it requires about
three-quarters of an hour for the
clerk to read twice, as the rules de-
mand. extends from Ernest F. Ache
son. whose home is in Washington,
Penn. where James G. Blaine was
born to William T. Zenor of Corydon,
Ind. a Democrat of several terms
service. In being at the head of the
roll Mr.. Acheson is very fortunate
man. AS soon as roll call is ordered
he has only to answer to his name and
walk out Of the hall to attend to other
business which he may have in hand.
Because of the confusion which always
attends a roll call, members generally
have to listen attentively when the
clerk comes near them.
OF the Maine delegation Mr.. Allen of
Alfred, is most fortunate, for his name
is fifth on the list, following i'm
mediately after that Of Mr.. Alexander
Of Buffalo. Maine man and a native
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