Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-07
ras loudly applauded by those in attend

was loudly applauded by those In attend
ance at the meeting.
According to Mr., Mcneil. the local bar
had had as much right to censure Justice
Stafford for coming here It had for
critcislng the Pre- sident for appointing
him. He again declared that he was OPP
posed to hurting a gratuitous insult at the
President.
Mr. Philip Walker explained the situa-
ton In the executive departments. and de-
clared: IF Mr.. Mcneil has n friend amors
The citizens Of the District whom ne wonid
like to have appointed TO departmental
place under the civil service. I'll tell hifh
he cant have 1t done
Mr. Mcneil was asked how the people OF
North Carolina would have felt If citizen
of the District instead of Justice Pritchard.
whose home is In that state, had been APP
pointed to the United States circuit court
to succeed the late Justice Simonton.
'sThey. would have gone to Congress ana
demanded their rights, Mr.. McNen an
swered.
'Rm, we have no rights here" somebody
remarked.
he said was for the bar to act in a dlgni-
fled manner. He desired harmony Inc
records show, according to Mr. MILAN. taat
for forty-one years the District hao o'hy
six appointments to the bench, and during
period of sixteen years no District man
was apo n:cd. Therefore. II was s'h.eu.
President Roosevelt had snfiicient IN tne
way of precedent to Warrant TIC se'oNNo'
OF Justice Stafford.
Mr. T.. NJ. Brown said he was opposeo 10
any action that might be construed as an
Insult to the President. He wanted 10 pro.
test however. against the practice .hh'
Ueymitted a little senatorial or otner cor
ere sSiOEal influence to decide In the mattet
of appointments to the local bench MI.
Brown explained that he had known one
politicisn 10 get the ear of the President
in connection with local judicial appoint
ment while a delegation made up OF repre-,
sentative members of the bar was denied
a hearing.
Argues for Something Practical.
ar have no desire to reflect on our
Judges" Mr.. Brown assured the meeting
'"They may be lawyers of more or less
ability. but l arguing for something
practical now. l suggest that committee
be appointed to frame resolution prov-d-
ing that Congress enact legislation that
oEe-half the members of the local bench
be local men. While | am on my feet L
also desire to protest against any one or
two or three or four members of this bar
accompanying some politician to the White
House and assuring the President that
some candidate they have selected would
be "a tisfactory 70 the bar.
Mr. Geo A. King took the view that the
bar would rob itself of all influence at the
White House II 1t criticised the President
or ever expressed disapproval of his ac-
ton. He was in favor of securing the en-
actment CT legislation providing that the
District shall have a certain representa-
tion on the bench.
Thomas L. Jones. colored, after declaring
that he was for Roosevelt first last and all
the time said that I'VE are political slaves
In the District. We should go to Congress
and demand The right of ballot. Mi.
Jones opposed the motion.
w. Mosby Williams made motion to adj
journ. but it was voted down. Mr.. c. H.
Merillat wanted to be informed wherein
Mr. Bradley's motion was offensive but he
gave way for vote on Mr.. Browns substl-
tute that committee of five be appointed
by the chairman to prepare a bill setting
forth the qualifications of appointees to the
local bench providing that one-half of the
number shall be citizens of the District, and
setting forth the sentiment of the bar on
the subject.
Mr. Clagett moved that the draft provide
that all local judges be appointed from the
local field, but he was ruled to be out Of
order
The chairman said he would announce the
personnel of the committee later, and on
motion of Mr.. G. w. Darr the meeting was
adjourned until the 2Sth instant. at which
time the committee will present its draft
of the bill In question.