The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-02-15
JUDGE PARKER OF NEW YORK

JUDGE PARKER OF NEW YORK
Considerable interest attaches to the
political gossip connecting the name Of
Alton b, Parker with the next demo-
cratic presidential nomination, says the
Tacoma News. The republican nomin-
alton OF President Roosevelt is as cer-
tain, apparently as anything political
could be so far in advance Of a conven-
tion, and this fact of itself has ten
dency to focus speculation upon Mr.,
Roosevelt's probable opponent in the
next campaign. A number Of names
have been informally discussed both by
the newspapers and the politicians and
it is already evident that no name men
toned in this connection has aroused as
much general inquiry and favorable
comment as that of the able chief judge
of the New York court of appeals. In
the south particularly the newspapers
are discussing Judge Parker with con-
siderable warmth and an exceedingly
friendly disposition. In New York state
it is unquestionably true that Judge
Parker is regarded by the rank and file
of the democratic party as the Moses
who can lead the party to victory. He
carried the state by 10000 majority in
1887 when a candidate for chief judge
Of the court Of appeals against United
States Circuit Judge William J. Wal
lace. No other democrat has carried
the Empire state since Mr.. Cleveland
received its electarial vote in 1892, with
the exception of two candidates on the
state ticket last fall, Judge Gray, who
was reelected to the court of appeals
bench and the democratic candidate for
attorney general, who was elected
through the aid of an endorsement by
the prohibitionists. But Governor
Odells reelection over Bird S. Coler
served rather to accentuate Judge Par
ker's popularity with the democratic
voters of New York state. The opin-
ion is widely entertained that II Judge
Parker had been nominated for COVER
nor despite his own objections and the
announcement, apparently authoritative.
that he would decline il If rendered, a
report subsequently denied, but which
probably led to Mr Coler's nomination
by the state convention, Judge Parker
would have been elected governor over
Mr.. Odell, whose plurality Of 111,l26 in
1900 was reduced to $500 in 1902 Had
any democrat carried the state of New
York for the goyernorship last fall his
nomination to the presidency in 1904
would have been a foregone conclusion.
rnden and Cleveland were both nomi-
aated under such circumstances and
the national democracy is looking out
'or the candidate who has carried New
York and may do it again.
AS regards Judge Parker's PERSONAL
ty and qualifications. aside from the
question Of his availability it may be
said that he is a man of tine presence.
attractive disposition, spotless reputa-
ion and distinguished ability, in the
fery prime of life, whose legal and ju-
licial achievements have won him a
commanding position not only in his
,wn state but in the country at large.
he has been judge, first of the sur
'ogate's court in Ulster county, New
Fork, then Of the supreme court in the
Third judicial district of that state, to
which he was elected for term of IA
ears during the sos, and was elevated
o the chief judgeship of the court of
ppeals, taking his seat on that famous
'ench January l. 1898. Since becoming
Judge, Mr. Parker has kept aloof from
artisan politics, and has avoided the
actional disputes which have rent the ]
eniocratie party. 1t is reported from
that President Roosevelt
xpects that Judge Parker will be his
pponent in the next presidential cam
aign and that New York will be the
hief battle-ground.
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