The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-28
BAR ENDORSES SPEER
PRESIDENT ASKED TO NAME HIM
FOR APPELLATE BENCH.
PETITION WITH MANY NAMES
WAS SIGNED BY MEMBERS OF LO-
CAL BAR YESTERDAY.

Will BE Forwarded to President
Roosevelt at Once-Asks That
Judge Speer Be Appointed in the
Event of Retirement of Judge
McCOrmick-Reason Are Advanc-
ed why the Appointment Would
Be PIeasing-MacOn Man Is
Thought to BE the Logical Nom
inee-Capt. Cunningham as His
Successor.
A petition addressed to the Presi-
dent, asking that in the event of Judge
Andrew P. McCormicks retirement
from the associate justiceship of the
Circuit Court of Appeals of the Fifth
District, Hon. Emory Speer be ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy was circu-
lated among the members of the bar
in Savannah yesterday.
The petition received the signature
of almost every member. There remain
few more names to be affixed, after
which the appeal will be forwarded to
President Roosevelt. The petition was
circulated very quietly, and few out
side of the members of the bar knew
of it's existence.
The sentiment in favor of Judge
Speer has been very strong since
the announcement that his name would
be presented to the President for sue
cession to the appellate bench. The I'M
dercurrent of public opinion here has
been that, in the event of Judge Nc
Cormick's retirement, Judge Speer
would be the appointee. This express
sion found shape in the petition.
Judge Spcer's Fitness.
In the document Judge Speers fitness
for the place, his long and efficient SER
vice, the high respect and esteem in
which he is held not alone by the bar
of Savannah and of Georgia, but of the
country at large, is set forth. His
ability as a lawyer and a jurist and
the manner in which he has conducted
the affairs of the District Court dur
ing his eighteen years of service, are
assigned as reasons which mark
him for advancement in the judiciary,
and as causes why his appointment
would be pleasing to the bar.
While no confirmation of the report
has been gained that the President con-
sldered favorably the name of the dis
trict judge, persistent report has it that
he has committed himself. 1t is known
that Judge Speer himself is confident,
and this leads many to believe that he
has the assurance of the appointment,
IN the event of Judge McCormick's re-
tirement.
The report from Washington to the
effect that the President has not con-
sldered the appointment of Judge
Speer, but rather has decided to ap-
point a Texan to the place. is received
with scant credence here, a number of
the local bar arguing that there is no
reason why Georgia should not be given
the place.
Judge PRrdee Not in the Way.
1t has been urged that Judge Par
dee, now on the Appellate bench, hav-
ing taken up his abode in Georgia, is
TO all lntents and purposes a Geor-
gian, and that the President would not
appoint another justice from this state
An advice received from Macon by
member of the bar here says that it
is understood there that the residence
of Judge Pardee in Atlanta will have
no weight with the President.
Judge Pardee was appointed from
Louisiana and is a native Ohian.
His residence in Atlanta, a member
OF the bar said, was induced
by his ambition to reach the
Louisianian, Justice White, on the
Supreme Court bench. This same
lawyer said that having been appoint
ed from Louisiana. and being a native
of Ohio, he could hardly be considered
Georgian, especially since he passed
the summer season at his home in
Ohio.
In the event of Judge Speer's sue
cesslon to the appellate bench, there
is little doubt that Capt. H. C. Cum
bingham, should he consent to have his
name presented to the President for
appointment to the district bench,
would make a most formidable candi-
date. In searching about for a prob
able appointee the name of
Capt Cunningham presents itself
more forctbly than any other. Should
he make the race there is no doubt of
the fact that the local bar would be
unanimous in its SIDDOrt of him