Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-20
URGED BY SENATOR ELKlNS
VINO Also Presented Judge Golf for
Vacancy on Supreme Bench.
A STORY OF THIRTY YEARS AGO
How New Mexico's Statehood Was De-
feated by a Mistaken Handshaks
of Congratulation.

Senator Elkins contributed another chap
ter To the Juvenile judgeship fight today by
presenting the name OF Rev. J. T. McLaugh-
lin, who is, besides being a minister. a MEM
Der of the bar OF the District Mr. Me-
laughlin formerly lived in PENNSYLVANIA.
but he is well known to West Virginia law
yers. and they would like to see him ap-
pointed juvenile Judge believing he has a
special fitness for the place The backing
of the new candidate IS said to be OF the
best. He has the support of Senator Knox
of Pennsylvania and Senator Flint of Cali
fornia
The President gave no intimation to 6ena-
tor Eikins of his intentions as to the posi-
ton. While an appointment Is looked for in
a few days. the President is in no haste.
He is waiting for the Department OF Jus
tice to make a report.
Senator ElkIns has also presented to the
President the name of Judge Nathan Com
of the fourth circuit for the vacancy on
the supreme bench of the United States
The West Virginia bar as a whole believes
that the dignity and judicial greatness OF
the Supreme Court would be fully main
tanned by the elevation of Judge Con- who
was many times supported by his state for
the republican presidential nomination ana
often asked to run for United States sena-
tor. The President did not make state
ment to who he will appoint to this po-
sition, but will give consideration TO the
name of Judge Goff.
The opinion continues to be freely ex-
pressed that Secretary Taft will eventually
accept the vacancy on the supreme bench
and that the President will hold Il open
for him until he completes considerable
work as Secretary of War upon which he
is engaged. While the President would
like to make Secretary Taft chief Justice
of the court in the event OF the retirement
of Chief Justice Fuller, who is eligible to
faaN~
no probability that Mr. Fuller will exercise
the right of retirement any time within n
number of years. He enjoys his work and
unless his health should fail, he will stay
where he is, possibly until after President
Roosevelt goes out of office.
Elkins on Statehood.
Senator Ell1ins was asked about the state
hood situation and the story OF how a mis-
taken handshake of congratulation brought
about the defeat OF statehood for New
Mexico thirty years ago. II voted for
statehood for New Mexico the other day."
said Senator Elkins. because the people
there seemed TO want II. They seemed to
feel that they had majority of the votes
on Arizona and could control affairs. While
that was not the prime reason in voting
for statehood, / feel mighty friendly to New
Mexico, the people of which did me a good
turn many years ago. Yes, l twice had
New Mexico at the threshold of statehood
when l was delegate in Congress from
that territory many years ago. One time
1t was simply a question of calling the bill
from the table, but 1t was lost by few
votes, due to an tnffamma tory speech made
by Senator Burrows now in the Senate
and congratulations 1 extended TO him 1t
was really my fault, though. l was getting
along Wen with the democrats and had the
promise of the leaders that thew would helm
me to put the bill through While l was
out attending to some other business Bur
rows put his bazoo to working and said
m q no n a
| didn't hear the speech. but went I'm about
the time he concluded One of my friends
said to me: Burrows has just made a
great speech on the statehood bill Com
graduate him. ! went forward and shook
his hands. l noticed that the democrats
were watching closely. They settled
the matter then and there by voting against
the measure. Yes, that was thirty years
ago and New Mexico is entitled to state
hood now"
Opening of Government Lands.
Delegate Mcclure of Oklahoma talked N
the President this morning about signing
the bill passed by Congress opening TO
settlement the lands known as the big
pasture of the Kiowa. Comanche and
Apache Indians. containing about 80 COO
acres. The lands are in southwest Okla
homa. 1t is supposed that the President
Will sign the bill, but his attitude Is not
known.
Inc severe weather OF me last week OF so
has been bad on the robins and other birds
of the White House grounds. Many that
had been south on their winter pilgrimage
FASTENED back north on the first signs OF
warm weather and took up their homes In
the White House grounds. Severe weather
has greeted them ever since their return.
Insects and seeds have been scarce. and Sec
rotary Loeb has gone to the rescue by buy
ing much grain and other feed and having
Il distributed over the grounds. The birds
were delighted, so far as could be told from
their rapid work. Food will be distributed
to the birds every few days so long
the bad weather lasts.
AS rule by this time each spring tho
robins in the White House grounds are
having good time with earth worms and
insects The earth worms crawl up out OF
their holes during the night and the next
morning the robins devour them until their
full