The Washington herald., 1906-10-21
LURTON is FAVORED
Justices Advise President Oh
Supreme Court AppOintee.
zUsZ cay at WHITE HOUSE
ReoscveIt Trying To Get Important
MEfscFs settled Before Departing
"n His rRnama Trip-POIitics, Canal
Contract, and Text of Message Dis
cussed with Root and Taft.


long conference at the White House yes
to-day afternoon. if started at 2:S0, when
Secretaries Root and Taft arrived at the
Executive offices. Secretary Bishop of
tie Panama Canal Commission, dropped
lH for a short time, and while he was
ii.cro Justices Harlan. Day, and White, Of
t..c Supreme bench arrived Mr Bishop
departed shortly afterward but the three
iurists remained for over an hour.
Even after they had left the conference
between the President and the two secre-
t1ries continued until dinner hour.
To-day Secretary Shaw IS to make a
hurried run to the Capital for confer
enoo with Mr.. Roosevelt
Previous to the main conference yester-
day, Secretaries Cortelyou and Moody
were closeted with the President for some
time.
No official statement would be made
by any of those In conference as 10 the
nature Of the topics discussed, but 1t IS
understood they comprise politics. Pan
anna the Presidents message. and the
choice Of Il successor TO Justice Brown,
q position that Secretary Taft definitely
stated yesterday he has declined
Little Time Left.
The President has but little time left
Tor preparing his message lie leaves
two days after election for Panama.
But q few days viii elapse between the
date Of his return and the opening Of
Congress. Those few days must be saved
for the consideration Of such additions
10 his message as may be required by
late developments.
His trip 10 Panama, of course, will
furnish him with many ideas that will
doubtless be embodied in his message, but
that portion Of the document will prob
ably De prepared during the homeward
trip. The prosecution of the oil trust.
however will in ali likelihood be sprung
while the President is away. and he may
have 70 add 90 his remarks on that
subject after he finds out what progress
has been made upon his return.
His report on what has been accom-
pished in Cuba. also can not be very
we'll completed until the last moment, as
the next few weeks VIII alter the situa-
ton i'm the island materially
With all these important subjects left
hanging fire until his return, the Presi-
dent is forced to clean 10 all the other
work 10 be done on the message in the
next two weeks.
other Questions to Cover.
There are many questions that he is
Expected TO touch upon TO ii more or less
extent. including currency reform. in
heritance tax, and the like, that can be
disposed Of at once.
The consideration of the Panama con-
tract plan occupied but little time at the
conference. The advice of Secretaries
Root and Taft WAS desired as to the car
rying out OF the programme outlined re-
Gently in the statement made by Chair
man ShOntS
Secretary Taft made the positive dec
laration that he had declined the Presi-
dents offer of nomination to the Su-
pTemg bench. He added that he had de-
Clined not recently bur about five months
ago This was soon after Justice Brown
retired. ana shortly after the President
rendered Mr.. Taft the place
Although The visit of Justice Harlan
Day. and White traHspired while Score
taries Taft and Root were in conference
with the President. hc SAW the iurists i'm
the Cabinet room. and the two members
of the Cabinet did not participate in this
conference.
Judge LurtOn Considered.
Il is understood the President talked
with them about the qualifications of Cir
cult Judge Horace H Lurton. of Tonnes
see. whom he is disposed to nominate for
the vacancy. All three justices have had
intimate knowledge of Judge Lurto4l :
court work. All these Justices are said to
have sat with him ri some time during
the trial OF cases in the Sixth district
over which Justice Harlan presides, or
otherwise have been intimately associated
with him. The chief objection to Judge
l.urtou is his age.
II Is understood also that the three
Justices acquainted the President of the
Importance of having fun court OF nine
members aus carly ia December as posi-
bile. But eight members are now sitting.
and no cases Of the highest Importance
like the Isle OF Pines ease. are being
argued. lest the result might be court
evenly divided While the new Justice
viii not take his seat until after the
Senate has confirmed his nomination. it
j. desired that his name be known a
little IN advance of the session In order
that The Senators NAV have an oppor-
tunity Of Judging of his qualifications and
also that the new justice may be ready
10 come 10 Washington at orcc and be
prepared 10 assume his duties.
shaw VIII Cali To-day.
Tho late session held by the President
and Secretaries Taft and Root was main
~ for the purpose Of going over the mes
sage. and the same matter viii doubtless
come up when Secretary Shaw calls at
the White House to-day. The chief Of the
Tst.- Tl Z
ing the long stump-speaking tour he has
been carrying on 10 estimate the extent
of the demand for currency reform and
gauge public opinion on that question.
The views of the Republican leaders ON
This proposition are ny no means bar-
m0niOus: in fact. those who have spoken
uu the subject are decidedly at variance
notably Beveridge and Spooner. and it is
likely Secretary Shaw's report on the
matter will largely determine the Presi-
cents attitude
Incidentally. Mir Shaw viii have many
i@ieresting things to say 10 Mr.. ROuse-
.elt regarding the political situation. He
las been steadily engaged in campaigning
Tor many weeks. and he is in better po-
s.tlor than anyone else to give an accu-
rate estimate of the outlook in all parts
a. tho country.
lie has not been in New York. however.
and hc will get pointers as u the situa-
ton there and what is needed, so as to
Guide him when he takes up his campaign
~ that State
President viii Go to Jamestown.
It vas officially announced at the White
House yesterday. after cali Of Harry st
George Tucker, president OF the James
town Exposition Company. that President
EnnsaVnlf will nnnn the c.noeifinr, or,