The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-02-23
A Characteristic Appointment.

Hon. Eugene D. Saunders OF New Or
leans to supply the vacancy on the
bench of the United States district
court for the eastern district of Louis
lana caused by the sudden death on
the 9th instant of Judge Charles Par
| lange, an event that shocked and
grieved all who had the honor OF
knowing that admirable gentleman
and model jurist. Judge Saunders is
a Democrat in political belief and
/ utilization, as was his predecessor,
and by this appointment our Republi-
can president has given renewed evil
dence of his belief that mere political
or partisan considerations should not
govern in the selection of judges, but
that personal character and legal abil-
ity should form the first essentials
upon which to base a choice in such
cases.
It is understood that Hon. Taylor
Beattie of Lafourche was recommended
to the president by the leading Repub-
licans of Louisiana as an eminently
fit man to succeed Judge Parlange,
and it is highly probable that but for
Judge Beattie's advanced age he
would have received the appointment.
United States judges are privileged to
retire from the bench and to continue
to enjoy the salary of their positions
after passing the age of 10, and the
fact that Judge Beattie is already SO
offered an insuperable objection to his
nomination. No lawyer in the state
is better qualified by learning, ex-
perience or temperament to sit upon
the judicial bench, and The Chief
shares in the widespread regret that
the unfortunate circumstance of his
accumulated years should have rem
dered such a capable and worthy man
ineligible for q place which he would
have occupied with distinguished abil-
ity and credit.
Judge Saunders is native of Vir-
ginia, aged 81 years, and has been
practicing law in New Orleans since
his admission to the bar in 1877. His
first partner was Hon. E. d. White,
now on the United States supreme
bench. Subsequently Hon. Charles
Parlange became member of the firm,
which was then known as White,
Saunders s. Parlange, resuming the
| original title of White & Saunders
after the appointment OF Judge Par
LANCE to the federal district judgeship,
and retaining that designation until
Judge White went from the position of
United States senator from Louisiana
into that of a judge of the federal
supreme court. Mr.. Saunders then
became the head of the firm of Saun.
ders, Miller, Smith & Hirsch, which
was dissolved by mutual consent, and
from that time until his acceptance of
President Roosevelt's appointment as
district judge he was senior member of
| the firm of Saunders & Gurley. In
1899 Mr.. Saunders was selected as
professor of common law in the law
school of Tulane University, and last
year he became dean of the faculty
and professor OF civil law, a position
that he may continue to occupy not
withstanding his elevation to the fed
erai bench. He is one of the best and
most popular lawyers in New Orleans,
and will undoubtedly make first-class
judge. His appointment was urged
upon the president by United States
Senators McEnery and Foster, Judge
E. D. White and the entire Louisiana
deleg alton in the lower branch of
congress, and it is not surprising that
with such backing, in addition to his
own distinguished qualifications and
merits, Mr.. Saunders should have
been named as the successor of his
late lamented partner and friend,
Judge Parlange. The new appointee
has qualified and entered upon his
judicial duties, and his selection has
been confirmed by the national senate.
A New Collector of Internal Revenue.
Hon. William E. Howell of La-
fourche, United States collector of
internal revenue for Louisiana and
Mississippi, has rendered his resigna-
ton Of that Office, to take effect M arch
/, and President Roosevelt has ap.
pointed Edward I. Seyburn of st.
Mary to fill the prospective vacancy.
Mr.. Howell retires from Office in order
to give closer attention to his extern
sive law practice and planting in
terests in Lafourche, and leaves be-
hind him an unblemished record of
capable and faithful service. He is
one OF the ablest lawyers and best
public speakers in the state, and there
can be little doubt that his future
career will amply fulfill the brilliant
promise of his successful past.
Mr.. Seyburn, while not as yet en-
joying an extensive acquaintance
among the people OF Louisiana, is
vouched for by his friends as gentle
man of conspicuous merit and ability |
who will make q most capable and |
efficient internal revenue collector. He |
has been engaged in sugar planting |
IN St. Mary, and is Republican in
politics.