The Washington herald., 1906-12-04

Associate Justice John NJ Harlan, Of
the United States Supreme Court. may
retire at the end Of the present term OF
court, and thus give the President the
opportunity Of selecting another Supreme
Court justice before the expiration OF his
term.
Judge Harlan is seriously considering
the acceptance Of the kentucky Republi-
can gubernatorial nomination next year.
F0s seyeTa! weeks he has been in receipt
OF hundreds Of letters from Kentucky
Republicans asking him 10 enter the
campaign and make the race against 5.
l. Hager. the Democratic nominee.
Many Kentucky Republicans declare
that Justice Harlan is the one man who
can defeat the Democratic candidate.
Whether he will do so is problematicaI,
but 1t is known here among Justice
Harlan's friends that he is thinking over
the matter, and it is not beyond the range
Of possibilities that he win resign from
the court and make the race.
Declines to Discuss Il.
Justice Harlan was asked yesterday
whether he had such intentions. He de-
clined to discuss the matter. and stated
that he would neither deny nor affirm
the report. He added that he would prob
ably have something TO say on tn sub
ject at a later date
The failure OF the Justice TO give promDf
denial 10 the report is taken by Kentucky
Republicans TO mean that he may accept
at any rate that he has not declined.
State Wants Him TO Run.
4 prominent Kentucky Republican who
arrived here yesterday said there is a
general demand all over the State for
Justice Harlan To make the race.
Owing to the bitterness engendered in
the recent Democratic primary" said he.
there is every prospect of Republican
success next November. But. in order TO
accomplish this. there must be at the
head OF the ticket clean man who has
not been allied with The officehOlders or
those on the outside who want Office. In
Kentucky just at present we have num-
Der Of candidates for governor. The most
prominent already holds an office and the
others are largely out for Office.
Is Now fractional Fight.
Either the one or the other faction. if
victorious in the convention. will be knitted
at the polls. Justice Harlan can win this
fight for the Kentucky Republicans. and
my opinion is that he is the only man
who can
Kentucky Democratic Congressman who
would discuss the possibilities of Justice
Harlan's candidacy last night were not Of
the opinion that he would have a walk
over ii nominated by the Republicans
They point out that his dissenting opinion
in favor of ". S. Taylor and against the
late Gov. Goebel would prove such a
strong card in the hands of the Democ-
racy that it would be hard to overcome
Would Have to Resign.
In addition. it is declared that Justice
Harlan. in case he entered the race.
would have to resign outright from the
Supreme Court. and not retire on the
salary 20 which he is entitled. having
served on the court for nearly thirty
years
Justice Harlan Will be seventy-four his
next birthday. He is robust and in the
best Of health, but it is known that his
best friends are very much opposed to
his entering Il campaign. the wear and
tear Of which. they say. would more
than Offset the hOnOrs Of the guberna-
torial Office, even in the event of his
election
Has Msdc Race Before.
Justice Harlan has twice ran for gov
error of Kentucky, 1871 and 1915. in the
latter year being defeated by the present
Senator. James 3. McCreary. He was
offered the Attorney Generalship under
President Hayes but declined it. and
was afterwaTd appointed to the Supreme
Court
Should Justice Harlan decline the Ken
tucky gubernatorial nomination. how
ever, il is considered likely thar he will
IL L..