The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-10-30

to him. In view of this. a simple recital
of the facts which led - the appointment,
seems not out Of pl - because of late
publications. Governor Jones was dis
tinguished Confederate Soldier, and one
of the first men to urge spirit of manly
reconciliatio as to the causes and events
of the war. Many years ago. he was the
recipient of distinguished honors at the
hands OF Federal soldiers at Marietta,
o., on that account. He was prominent
as legislator, and for years had been
regarded as one of the strongest lawyers
in the State. His administration as Gov
ernor for two terms during a stormy
period, had been characterized by purity
of purpose, a sturdy maintenance of the
PUBLIC credit, a stern front to lawlessness
and had attracted the attention of the
country. His moral courage, conservatism
and opposition to some extreme ideas
advocated in the Constitutional Conven-
against lynching also attracted wide at
tention to him. All these things made
him quite a conspicuous figure. and the
fitness of his appointment to the Federal
bench suggested itself IL the appointment
was to be made on other than purely
party lines.
When the Spanish war broke out. Gov
error Jones desired the appointment of
brigadier. He had met President McKin-
ley while he was Governor of this State
and the President was Governor of Ohio
and the President entertained high opin-
ion of him. In view of the President S
expressions to some Northern soldiers
who had urged Governor Jones's appoint
ment as brigadier, these same gentlemen
later on suggested to President Mckinley
his appointment as judge upon the anti
clpated retirement of Judge Bruce. AS
this time drew near. the friends of num-
bers of gentlemen pressed their claims
upon President Mckinley. and filed rec
concentrations on their behalf. Upon Mr.
Roosevelt's accession to the office, these
matters were brought to his attention, as
the state of Judge Bruce's health made 1t
highly probable that an appointment
would have to be made at any time. The
President found the Republicans rent
by factions not united In support of any
candidate, the friends of opposing candi-
dates preferrng charges of different
sorts against applicants In this state of
affairs. while President Roosevelt was
considering the matter. Judge Jones 8
name was brought to his attention, and
received marked favor. 1t was not
known whether Governor Jones would ac-
ccpt. as he was not an applicant, and his
professional income was more than tho
salary. AS this appointment would be one
of the first by the new President, and
was. therefore. one OF great Importance
in view of the conditions surrounding It,
the resident determined to make a
thorough investigation for himself before
deciding He sought information from
all available sources as to what manner
of man Governor Jones was, and freely
consulted with cabinet officers and other
public men as to the propriety of this
appointment. A conspicuous advocate of
Governor Jones's appointment was Gen.
Stewart l.. Woodford of New York for
mer minister to Spain; and there were
other distinguished men in New York as
well as in the South, who urged the APP
pointment. While the President was maxi
ing inquiries for himself, Booker 7.
Washington came to the capital and the
President asked him, as he had asked
many others, about Governor Jones.
Washington expressed the highest opn-
ion of Governor Jones. and promised the
President the benefit of further investi-
cation on his return to Alabama. The
sudden death of Judge Bruce necessitated
an immediate appointment and some au-
thoritative expression of opinion as to
Governor Jones's Willingness to accept If
the appointment were rendered. Until
affairs had reached that stage, he was
not informed. Washington, on his re-
turn home, as promised wrote the Pres
ident reiterating the opinion he had fyst
expressed. The appointment at that
time had practically been determined on.
If this appointment had been the work
of Washington. surely no one could place
ii otherwise than to his credit. Certainly
it could not be any impusnment of Gov
ernor Jones, or his fitness for the place,
that his life and character had won for
him the esteem of good men of the black
race as we'll as the regard and esteem
of the white ra e of Alabama. This is all
there is in he story that the President
was led by Washington in this matter or
yielded his judgmeht to that OF WASH
ington in making the appointment.
Justice.