The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-12
JUDGE JONES TALKS
 ABOUT PATRONAGE
Explains His Position Regarding
 Appointments to Office
HAS ENDORSED NOBODY
Only Four Times In Four Years Has He Answered Requests of President for information Regard
 Ing Appointments.

Montgomery, December 11.-(Special)- Decidedly the most interesting develop ment of the recent furry about presiden- tial appointments in Alabama is the evil dent fact that the chief executive of the nation has made up his mind to take all the advice he can get from all sources and then use his own judgment.
 This much is shown in the selections made within the past several weeks. Hon. Thomas G. Jones. judge of the United States court, had something to say about the naming of a marshal for this district. far reaching comment, and his advice as to the fitness of the marshal at Birming- ham and other officers named in the past. But it is pretty well established that neither knew until the announcement was made that the President intended to name Gen. R. D. Johnston as register of the land office.
 The position of Judge Jones on the mat ter of patronage is, however, a matter of far reaching comment, and his advice ah to the fitness of men for officers of his court has caused many to think that he will make recommendations for other places in the service.
 Judges Position.
 "Of course" said Judge Jones, as he lifted his eyes from letter he was writ ing, to reply to the question of the Mont gomery correspondent of The Age-Her- aid, T cannot go into the newspapers to answer all the gossip about appoint- ments of marshal and district attorney. wouldn't have time to do anything else, and nobody expects me to do it.
 'You can say for me broadly that have never endorsed any one for postof- flee appointment to the President or the postoffice department since l have been on the bench. nor have l ever initiated any opinion or advice about any other presidential appointment. In about four instances in four years l have answered requests for information from the Presi- dent Or from cabinet officers, as to the qualifications of applicants. Any good cit izen would do that. Such requests are freouently made by senators and repre- sentatives regardless of their political faith.
 CT suppose there are hundreds of let ters from me to persons in Alabama re- fusing to endorse them for different po- sitions and explaining why. You can state broadly that I have never endorsed any body for any political appointment, save in the case of court officials, since went upon the bench.
 Non-Partisan Court.
 "While we are talking on the subject you may state further that my views on these questions are well known 10 everybody who has taken pains to inquire. The President was kind enough to ignore partisan consideration in conferring a high honor upon me. l have ignored par tisal consideration in such court appoint ments as fall to me, believing courts should be strictly non-partisan l have not interferred or allowed any officer or the court to be interferred with on ae- count of politics, so long as he discharged his duty.
 q would esteem it indecent in me mere ly because the President appointed me to attempt to dictate or control appoint ments. or to thrust advice on him as to such matters. have never done 1t.
 .I have never acted as referee or recommended any one to them for ap- pointment Or attempted to interfere with the duties allotted to them, or to contfoi their action in any way.
 q am not in politics In any way. l think a judge upon the bench who at temps to dispense political patronage. or to shape or control politics, especially party to which he does not belong, should retire at once for such action is unbecom- ing a judge. judge Is responsible Tor the conduct of his court and concerned in who fills the offices about it. and may properly express or volunteer an opinion about applicants for such positions with out justly subjecting himself to the charge of unseemly meddling in politics.
 .Yes, I would be glad to have you pub fish this, for my mail is burdened With let lers from applicants for office, in con sequence of such statements as have been made in a newspaper notice to which my attention has been recently drawn. and my relations to many of the applicants are such that l must answer them. and it has entailed the burden of large and useless correspondence upoi me"
 District Attorneyshp.
 so far as can be discovered the district attorneyship for this district about which tthere has been so much talk, is yet unde- eided as to incumbency in the next term. The situation is that Warren Reese has large following for reappointment, with much outside help. The little affairs of drawing two salaries by Assistant Dis trist Attorney Sternfeld has not hurt MT. Reese. as the special work was not re- ported Tn HIS UlilCts iit iipo' 'ii ioS'f ie'i exonoration from the attorney general Judge Jones has not taken interest for MT. Reese other than to say that he has done his duty and that his appointment would not be displeasing to him. The judge has said as much for Erastus J. Parsons, of Talladega, the man who is backed by the referees for the place. The fact that Parsons is out of the district. heinz in the northern district. will lose him the place no doubt, for the time seems to have passed when carpet bag eInp in even so small a way vii be toler- ated It seems certain that if Reese should not land some man will who is at present in the district. In one or two charges made against Reese, Judge Jones has taken his part because they imply discharge of duties in the courts and are fully understood and approved by the judge
 As conclusion 1t may be known posi- lively by the words of the judge himself. that he is not an adviser of the President in any sense save as concerns men direct lv in his court, and he takes the position that they must be without political fear or influence, and he will see that they are so fortified if it is in lIs power.
 SALOON CLOSES AT 6 O'CLOCK. Jacksonville City Council Passes an
 IYunorfanf 1 inIIor Ordinance