The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-07
PRITCHARD SOON TO RESIGN.
Valid Grounds for the Belief Thar
He is Slated to Succeed
(SDe(iaT To Cbarloffo OhSa

SptClal TO Charlotte Observer
Ashevilie, April From information
obtained today from a source that is
above question it is apparent that there
is valid ground for the belief that Jus
tice Pri1chard's tenure of office in the
District Of Columbia will be of brief
duration. 1t is the quasi-programn,s for
Mr.. Justice Pritchard to tender his
resignation within the next eighteen
months. when he will succeed Judge
Simonton, Of the United States cir -uit
court, who is expected TO retire from
active judicial life within the perIod
mentioned.
a close personal friend of Mr Pri;ch-
ard, though of opposite political faith,
today said: Il a understand your
desire 10 be absolutely with
respect to a matter of this importance,
but If 1 were running a paper today I
should rot hesitate for a to
say that Mr.. Pritchard will be IN North
Carolina again within a few months,
but that he will remain on the bench"
Another gentleman. of Mr.. P~ritehard's
political faith, and who can get the ear
of the president when he so desires, be-
cause of his official and party standing,
had this to say: we need Mr.. PrsICh-
ard in North Carolina. Not only is he a
SdluGt CIliZSII, IullS lOcllllllSu WILL SA1S
states best interests, but we republi-
"a need him in the effort to maintain
the party organization which, under his
guidance. has attained a moral and
numerical strength which is U~nequated
in any other OF the ceceding states,
Yes. l have talked this matter over
with the president. In fact, l was ar the
White Hous only a few days ago, and
! feel confident that President Rocse-
welt Will second u efforts to bring Mr..
Pritchar1 to the state as soon as a way
can be found to do so, which Will &p-
peal with favor to both the Chief EX-
ecutive and Mr.. Pritchard. This way
will be Jul as soon as Judge Simon
ton retires from the bench, a contin-
gency that may arise within the :eXt
year. and in the meanwhile Mr.. Pritoh-
ard will be looked upon by the admin
istratiOn as the guiding spirit in North
Carolina patronage matters, ana with
respect TO party policies, no matter who
may be chosen as state chairman in
Greensboro next week. OF course, when
q fourth-class postofflce case m up
for DISPOSITION the verdict of the state
chairman will no be questioned, but
when the president wants anything
lone ne Will continue to send for
Pritchard, On or off the bench. And
then, in conclusion. don't you think it
would suit the president to have Mr..
PritcharG or his native heath, where
he COulu Keep all cdr 10 Tile SEOuIIu
The information given by this eel
tleman. who is certainly in position to
be advised, has a conclusive ring. and
whether or not there exists an under
standing between the president and Mr..
Pritthard in accordance with the sug-
geStion made in the foregoing para
graph it may be accepted as a positive
fact that when Judge Simonton resigns
the name of the former North Carolina
republican senator Will loom UP strong
as his possible successor. Some believe
that such understanding obtained be-
fore Mr.. Pritchard accepted the posi-
zion of associate Justice in the gu
preme court Of the District Of Column
biz.
Judge Simonton, who is Of an old
South Carolina family, is now in the
seventies. and is eligible for retirement
with pay, though his mind is sill
strong and clear. He holds very en-
phatic views on property rights, and
his decisions have frequently been in
the subject of criticism for alleged ia
voritism to the railroads.
Thomas S. Rollins has left the city
and a report in political circles is to
the effect that Mr.. Rollins having Gull
tivated q genuine desire to become the
executive head of the republican cr-
ganization in the state, has gone to
Washington to consult with Justice
Pritchard. and to draw so near to the
republican chairman hat the mantle
will naturally strike his shoulders
when it fails. AS heretofore stated in
this correspondence, it would doubt
less please Justice Pritchard to see his
young law partner thus thrust into
prominence. and it is safe to say that
the contest will eventuate in this way
unless it is found his recognition will
produce discord in the organization.