The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-26

ties which fits him so we'll for the
highest place in the land. The
strength and dignity of his resolve,
maintained in the face of the rfaost
powerful inducements, cannot be too
greatly admired when the occasions
for it is understood. 1t should be
remembered that he occupies a great
judicial place, and that he cannot be
too wary about expressing views as an
individual on questions which may
come before him as judge. If he
should not, after all, be nominated for
President. it is likely enough that
such a thing might happen-that, as
Chief Judge of the highest court in
the State, he might be called upon to
pass upon questions which are now
before the public in the form of poll
teal issues. In that case don't you
see how the dignity of the judiciary
would suffer and how public conf
dence in it would be impaired if the
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals
should have already promulgated his
views on these very questions from
a political standpoint"
And Mr.. Littleton tossed back his
name and sent me a challenging look
across his desk.
But don't you think" / persisted,
that from political standpoint his
silence is unfortunate?
mo, | cannot see it in that light. |
can guess the weight of the pressure
that he is withstanding SO firmly, but
his continued silence seems to me not
only an admirable exhibition of he
finest judicial temperament, but also
something entirely consistent with his
place in the minds of the people
from the inception of the great move
ment to make him the Presidential
candidate of his party.
What" L asked, ARE some of the
probable campaign issues which
might come before Judge Parker in
his judicial capacity"
"Well, of course the Coure of APP
peals of the State of New York can
have nothing to do with the tariff or
the money question or the big stick
conduct of foreign affairs. but it is
likely at any time to have before it
in some form the issues of govern
ment by injunction. the income tax.
the rights of capital and labor, in
volving the strike question, and the
conduct of corporations so far ag
State laws apply to them. Those and
other matters which play a promi-
nent part in the political issues of the
day are among the familiar and prob
able questions for the jurisdiction OF
the great court over which Judge
Parker presides so WOrthily."
An Estimate of the Candidate.
I asked Mr.. Littleton to name
Judge Parker'S most remarkable
qualities. and he threw UP his hands
in despair.
81 couldn't possibly do justice TO
such a theme in that off-hand way"
he protested. why an estimate of
a man of that kind is a subject for a
profoundly thought out essay. Look
ing at him with a lawyers eyes his
qualities are essentially those of a
Judge and lawyer, and he embodies
the highest type of his profession.
Think of the best qualities of a great
and good judge-he possesses them
ALL He has had to do with grave
questions of administration, and has
exhibited a clear knowledge of the
powers of government and an abiding
faith in its forms. To him more than
to others have come such adnlinistra-
tive affairs, from the nature of his
position at the head of the Judiciary
of the great cosmopolitan State-a
position inferior to none save that OF
Justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States. And throughout it all
his grasp of principles, his knowledge
of law. his fine strategic talent and
the perfect balance. OF his mind have
given him Il foremost place in the re-
gard of the legal profession"
Don't you consider him a hand
some man" said l irrelevantly.
Mr.. Littleton looked startled at the
transition, but he was not too much
of a lawyer or too little of a Texan
not to be responsive.
Indeed I do" he confessed, with
sympathetic alacrity and his per-
sonality has something very winning
in it in a large, grave, authoritative
f1 ch WhpnaUnr | rec
as Il lawyer bcfoce the Court OF APP
peals j have always found myself adj
dessng Chief Judge Parker and
watching his face to the exclusion of
the others. And yet the other judges
of that court are men of the finest
powers and most interesting personal
tiles. But there is something about
Judge Parker's face and his manner
of listening which simply Compels at
tention. He has the air always of
weighing everything with the most
perfect sureness and serenity"
| had watched the Court of APP
peals for half an hour from a specta-
tors seat and I knew that the de-
scription was true. The other judges
We're mere shadows, as | saw them.
The moment seemed propitious for
me to join Mr.. Littieton in forming
a Parker Admiration Society.
And personally he is so simple"
said I.
$50 unaffected" said Mr.. Littleton.
$50 grave, and strong, and kind.
$50 just and considerate."
"And has such a sense of humor
with it ALL
yes, indeed-a fine sense of drol-
lery"
"He showed me his cows" said
proudly.
THAT must have been interesting"
ut was, indeed"
Mr.. Littleton told me some stories
illustrating Judge Parker's kindness.
his sagacity, his simplicity, his humor
and his judicial temperament, but be-
cause they were gleanings from pri-
vate life and friendship 1 promised
not to print thenn>-asas,
And then, by way of antithesis I
suppose, we discussed Mr.. Roosevelt.
Mr.. Iittleton has a trace OF the char
acteriStie Western admiration for
some aspects Of the Presidents char
acter.
Anyhow, he makes things interest.
ing" he said "He does things. But
there could not exist a more violent
contrast to Judge Parker in this
that he has not a shred of respect for
the fundamental forms and bounds
70 say Otbinp' Of the traditions ~