The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-21
W|THHOLDS LETTER
Of JUDGE MORRIS
President Decides Not to
Embarrass Jurlst.
TANGLE MAY UNITE ITSELF
MIR. Roosevelt Will Hot Complieate
Matters Nor Shove Out
Incumbent.
TANGLE MAY UNITE ITSELF

Unless further developments make it
necessary, President Roosevelt will
make no statement in reply to the denial
o. Justice Martin F. Morris. of the
Court of Appeals OF the District of Co
umbia, that he wrote a letter TO the
PRESIDENT announcing his intention TO
retire from the bench.
II mad been the intention of the Presi-
2ent TO make public a letter he received
xrom Judge Morris on the subject Ii
vas announced yesterday morning by
attorney General Moody, after he had
talked with the President. that the
PRESIDENTS statement would be given
out yesterday afternoon.
Letters Exchanged.
After further consideration, however,
the President decided to leave the case
IN STATUE quo for the present in the hope
that 1t would adjust itself. It is under
stood that the President has commune
Gated with Judge Morris and that the
latter has replied to the Presidents
note.
Attorney General Moody. at the White
House. yesterday, said Senator Louis E.
McComas OF Maryland, chosen for Judge
Morris position, viii be appointed as
soon as Judge Morris retires. As to
this part OF the program, there is moth
Ing indefinite. The only question re-
naming TO be answered is when will
Judge Morris fetire?'
Judge Morris Emphatic.
Yesterday Judge Morris reiterated the
statements he made on Friday night to
the effect that he had not resigned and
did not expect 10. He had written a let
ter 10 President Roosevelt. he declared.
IN which he had said he would in the
not distant future, retire, but he had
set no date, and was not disposed to do
SO at present. This letter. said Judge
Morris, was written some months ago.
The wish of the Administration, 1t is
understood. is to refrain from doing
anything TO embarrass Judge Morris
Hence the Presidents decision not to
make the letter public
The opinion prevails that, while he
may not have considered the full force
OF his statements in the letter, Judge
Morris did resign. At the same time he
Cannot Well be forced out until he sets
a time for his retirement
Judge Morris Statement.
In speaking OF the matter 10 news
paper men yesterday. Judge Morris
said:
81 have neither retired nor resign
ed have not decided when I shall |
retire l have written nobody when |
1 would retire. L have told nobody |
when I would retire. have authorized /
nobody TO speak for me in this matter |
IN fact, it may be some time before |
retire from the bench.
snail take my own time about re- |
firing. and 1 have not decided in my /
own mind when / shall do so''
You hold the key to the situation"
he was asked.
Yes. hold the key
Wrote a Letter.
Judge Morris added:
Some months age I wrote the Pres |
ident that I Intended TO retire in the
not distant future. I made no definite j
statement to the time when I should |
retire
Did you in that letter say you un- |
derstood Senator McComas would be |
your successor? Attorney General |
Moody has the impression you did
No, did not am not interested |
in the appointment Of a successor"
Have you seen the President recent
1y?''
IT have not"
..Will you call upon him?"
81 shall If he sends for me-not |
otherwise"
Cleveland Bissel1 Incident.
The situation IS decidedly embarrass- |
ing all around. and is not unlike the |
famous Cleveland BisseIl incident. While /
AT the White House, one day, Postmas- |
ter General Bissell. of Cleyeland's sec
ond Cabinet, said TO Mr.. Cleveland:
Mr.. President. 1 think I'll resign.
My business at home demands my at |
tention. am losing money by staying |
in Washington"
Mr.. Cleveland smiled The next morn
Ing the newspapers contained the an
nouncement or BisselFs resignation and
the appointment of his successor.
There was no more surprised person
in the country than BisseIl He had
not been in earnest and had expected [
President Cleveland TO urge him not to
think OF leaving the Cabinet.
But Cleveland took him at his word
and appointed William l. Wilson in
his place.
Mccornas Noncommittal.
Senator McComas. In speaking of the
matter yesterday said:
Il know nothing about the matter ex-
cept what Il have seen in the newspa-
pers. either q 10 the authenticity of the
Attorney Generals announcement Of
the President determination 10 appoint
me. or the interview with which Judge
Morris is credited. All I wish to say
Is that. accepting the press announce
Tnents as accurate, / appreciate the
Presidents confidence in me.
Judge Morris and | are the best of
personal friends. Further than this / |
do not care 10 discuss the case"
II is held by the Presidents friends |
that he could construe Judge Morris
old notice Of retirement as q resigna-
zion, but this is scoffed at by the judges
supporters The question appears to be |
whether the President viii go so far
as TO attempt TO remove Judge Morris |
and his authority TO dc this Is seriously
doubted