The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-17
Contest for Superior Bench Is
Interesting.
CLARENCE AlDRICH MAY Be ONE
Judges BIsdgstt and Sphinx Considered Sure
iM First Two Probate Circuits IS. W.
K. Allen q Candidate.

Assuming that the senate will concur
with the house In the passage OF the
court and practice bill. as the judiciary
revision measure is known, there Ia
naturally a great deal OF interest in the
men who will probably be chosen by the
general assembly this week 10 make up
the superior bench and also that for the
probate circuit
That some OF the legislators who have
been prominent in the affairs OF the ma
chine have designs OF seats OH one bench
or the other is undoubted. as an example
OF this is cited the candidacy OF Elmer
J. Rathbun OF West Greenwich. member
OF the house from that little hill town,
chairman OF the house committee on cor
porations which has passed vast
amount Of corporation bills this session,
and who I'm addition Ia 'udge OF the
Fourth district court. which holds session
at Apponaug. for the superior courts
ermine.
samuel w X Aliens run for the bench
OF the Third probate circuit, which COM
prses Warwick. Coventry. East Green
vich. West Greenwich, North kingstown.
Exeter. Hopkinton. Richmond. Narragar-
sett. south Kingstown. Charlestown and
Westerly. is also noteworthy. particularly
as It's said the tall representative from
4 East Greenwich has a chance of winning.
For the superior court II is now said
that Gen. Charles A. Wilson has an ex-
cellent chance OF being chief justice, for
the United states district attorney has
very strong backing, and II is said that
before the matter is decided tho friends
OF Judge Sweetland. who has had so
much experience with the sort OF cases
that will come under the jurisdiction OF
this court. will be heard from II will he
recalled that the friends OF the Judge
wanted him 10 have a recent vacancy on
the supreme bench. and they have no
DOUBT but that he would nll the position
OF presiding Justice OF the new court
with dignity and ability.
MANY OTHERS IN RACE.
Others prominently named I'm the run
ming are former Attorney Generals Will
lard p. Tanner. Charles y. Stearrs; John
&. Murdock. OF the law firm OF Tiliinghast
n Murdoch; Clarence A. Aldrich. who In
said to be the most popular Democratic
candidate for the bench; Charles c. Mum
ford. q well-known local attorney. being
supported, as are also Thomas A. Jencks
and Archibald Mstteson. son OF the for
mer CHIEF Justice.
The name OF Darius Baker OF Newport
r. also mentioned, although his backing
is said 10 he not as strong as was at first
indicated. Elmer ]. Rathbun. as prev
iously stated, Is also after the place on
the bench.
In the matter 81 the probate court
Judge William W. Blodgett. who has
been on the bench since 1867. il regarded
as sure for the First probate circuit
Judge Joseph Sphinx of the municipal
court. an attorney on probate matters, 4.
said 10 be another sure man. He will
have the Second circuit
FOR THIRD DISTRICT.
Judge job f. Carpenter or Warwick.
Judge Nathan r. Lewis OF South Kings
ton and former Judge Sweeney OF wester-
ly are all experienced I'm probate court
work from having occupied the bench I'm
their respective towns. but II is con-
sdered that Mr. Allen. the representative
from East Greenwich. by reasons OF his
associations and affiliations i'm the as
eembly, may muster more backing for
the nomination. even though there is a
6ght in the caucus
In addition 10 being considered for the
superior court Darius Baker OF New
port Is also named for the Fourth probate
circuit. and Attorney William r. Sheffield.
Jr. OF Newport Is also said TO be strongly
In the race for the place,
The disposition Of the I'LL by the senate
Will be watched with a great deal OF
interest tomorrow. and In the meantime
the friends Of the legion OF candidates
will be getting in thsi- work.