The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-21
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tfribir Nv t,s sshaiH rvef the n%nrriHs'i6n
n CHARLES " itvteh IN ~ No eW thliet
s'sles i,tase fot ihe sWithegn ttistelc' NJ
Nes YORK shieh wss cont ~ thr srnsts
IN isy wv President Roosevelt Tho ffed
dent In making his -lcrtioh foF this nfiee
followed the plan N saceTtainihe ths views
NJ Judges ami leadlne Lawyers IN New Yofh,
and lald NJ attention w political hacking
This cotrr Ia moi entirely rl~,sine 70 'ctns
~ The Ncw Yoh IjapuhiicanH In Congress
and ,i,ey may pn, obstacles In thu gay ~
NJ linueh's confirmation
Senator Flat nrzt indufsed Rnteft e,
Morris, Formerly PRESIDENT NJ The New
York county Republican COMMITTEES, for
the place THIS ENDORSEMENT vas given
without consultation With Mr. Morris and,
ns Senator Platt subsequently, explained,
waa Intended merely a. a tribute 10 Mr.
Morris. A. Mr., MurriA's suggestion his
name was Withdraw n from confederation
hy Senator Plat. who thsreupon recon-
mended that John Addison Young, The
District Attorney Of Westchester county,
I've appointed. The President. however
decided 10 abide by the views Of men
prominent in judicial and legal circles in
New York, and Mr., Hough was the choice
OF most Of those whose opinion was asked,
Senator Plat would not say to-day
whether he would or would not oppose the
nomination. II was Senator Platt's under
standing that the new judgcship was created
for the special purpose Of clearing the
heavy Federal criminal docket in New YORK
city, and for that reason he favored the
H. LAa bad
much experience in criminal cases.
One argument against the appointment
of Mr.. Hough was that his speciality was
admiralty law, and there are already "
admiralty experts among the Federal
Judges in New York. 1t was brought to the
that Mr.. Hough was closely allied in a
legal way with the Standard Oil Company
and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company:
IL this phase OF the matter was considered
by the President II was overcome by the
Endorsements which Mr.. Hough received
from those who were consulted In penaII
Of the President. -.
Some correspondence on the subject OF
Senator Platt's Endorsement Of Mr.. Young
passed bet ween the President and the
Senator, but there is no present prospect
that this will be made public. Mr.. Platt
was surprised when he learned that the
President had nominated Mr.. Hough. When
Mr.. Platt got back here this week and heard
that Representative Herbert Parsons, presi-
dent of the New York county Republican
committee, had Endorsed Mr.. Hough for
the judgeship he was greatly displeased.
1t is said, however, that no political con-
eiderations were responsible for Mr.. Hough's
selection.
When the nomination OF Mr.. Hough was
sent to the Senate to-day the White House
Attorney-General Moody to the President.
telling of his reasons for Recommending
the appointment of Mr.. Hough. The letter
follows:
send to you the nomination OF Charles
NJ. Hough for the position Of District Judge
in the Southern District of New York. You
have received heretofore my recommends
ton OF his appointment, and now. at your
suggestion, render you a brief account OF
the investigation undertaken at your direc-
ton, which led to the recommendation.
You told me that YOU wished to select for
this position the very best man available
and urged me TO take the utmost pains to
ascertain and report to you the name OF
that man, having considered only the
character and capacity OF the candidate,
the interests Of public and the bar. had
conferences at New York. both personally
and through the United States Attorney.
with some Of the Federal Judges. ] asked
them with the United States Attorney TO go
over the field with great care and inform me
of the names Of those available who In their
Judgment would be the most suitable FOR
appointment. | requested them to consider
not only the names OF those who had offered
themselves or who had been offered by others
as candidates but also the names OF any men
who. without. formally becoming candidates.
would accept the position II it were rendered
to them without any effort on their part.
This very much broadened the field Of
inouiry. as there are many men who would
not become active candidates for a Judicial
position, but would accept one II II we're
rendered to them without the necessity on
their part Of endeavoring to obtain political
or other backing; for the men best fitted
for judicial positions are usually the very
men who will not consent to make an active
canvass for appointment.
The result was that. after careful con-
sideration, the names Of three men were
sent TO me. 1t was stated that of the three
Mr.. Hough. in the opinion OF the District
Attorney and the jud gcs with whom he
conferred. would make the most satisfactory
Judge. was informed that II was the be-
lief that Hough would be "a remarkably good
appointment, and in a marked degree was the
best candidate.
l have had several conferences in New
York. and others in Washington. with mem
bers of the New York bar. and have had
the advantage OF Mr., Roots knowledge and
large acquaintance with the members OF
that bar. A large number Of letters Of
Endorsement OF Mr., Hough. which seem
to have been voluntarily offered, I forward
herewith. MIR. Housh has had a large and
varied general practice; his reputation lie
unassailable and he is In the prime Of life,
with the prospect Of many years Of judicial
usefulness before him. I think that his ap-
pointment " onld be a most admirable one.
Il beg to say in conclusion that the public
interest imperatively requires the. speedy
nomination and confirmation OF a Judge In
this district,
Mr., Hough is a member of the law firm OF
Robinson, Biddle 4 Ward Of 10 Wall street.
This firm is the counsel in this city for the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and one Of the OBJ
jections made to the appointment OF Mr..
Hough by his opponents was that he was
allied to railroad interests. Mr.. Hough
was backed for the judgeship by Chairman
Parsons Of the Republican county COM
mjttee. Senator Platt submitted to the
President the name OF John Addison Young,
District Attorney Of Westchester county
From the time Mr.. Hough was fret men
toned as a candidate he has been ham
mered by the Odell men in this city, for the
reason that he was put forward as the
choice OF Mr.. Parsons. Mr.. Hough lie IS
years old. He was born in Philadelphia
and was graduated from Dartmouth College
in 1879. He is unmarried and lives at is
East Sixtieth street, He is a member Of the
JTpiyerSity Cllb. the LOYAL IaPion and the