Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-03
SULLIVAN QUITS The BENCH
Newly Appointed Judge Resigns After
Only One Days Service.
PRIVATE REASONS THE CAUSE
Much Discussion over Question
Whether GOvernOr-eIect ShaIIen-
berger VIII Remove Omcers
Before Terms Expire.
(From a Staff Correspondent

LINCOLN, Dec. 2.-(Special )-Lawyers,
scribes and what not took up their vigil
again this morning at the door of the
office of Governor Sheldon, some to beg
and demand and insist on the appointment
to TN eposition made vacant on the supreme
bench by the resignation of Judge John J.
Sullivan, others to appear for favorites and
others to find out what was doing. From
early morning when the first rumor got
abroad that Judge Sullivan had resigned,
until Governor Sheldon lost himself at the
foot ball game, did the throng surround
him. The shoes of Judge Sullivan were
scarcely laid aside before there were many
feet reaching for them.
The resignation came as a great surprise
not only to Governor Sheldon and members
of the bench, but to others as we'll. When
Judge Sullivan's Intentions were made
known TO the Judges they insisted that he
serve out his term.
Judge Sullivan decided upon his resigna-
tion during the night, but why no one has
yet offered a satisfactory explanation.
From friends of the Columbus man comes
( this explanation: Judge Sullivan could not
. afford to accept, because he would have
to move to Lincoln, give up his Columbus
home and his practice; then would come
primary election and the election next fall
at which 1t is by no means certain he would
be chosen. After considering all these dis
/ advantages Judge Sullivan concluded he
had better resign.
Mrs. Sullivan was here yesterday and
she and the judge looked for a house In
Lincoln. 1t can be stated almost with au-
thorty that during this hunt Judge Sulli-
van decided to quit. Trying to rent
house in Lincoln on $500 a year and sim
pay grocery bills was too much for the
new judge.
Yesterday morning Judge Sullivan
! thanked Governor Sheldon for the appoint
ment and announced that he intended to
accept and he was later sworn in as Judge
! Today his only reason for reslgning was
personal reasons"
In resigning. however, Judge Sullivan
acted in accordance with the law which
he himself laid down years ago-that when
the burdens Of office became too heavy
an officer had the right to resign
VIII OmciaIs he Removed.
A number Of persons are wondering II
Governor-elect Shallenberger intends to
Gust bodily heads of state institutions
whose terms do not expire for some four
years and whose term of office is fixed by
lum at Hastings was appointed May l. 1907.
for term Of six years and DR.. Hay.
superintendent Of the Lincoln asylum, and
DR.. Young of the Norfolk asylum have
commissions bearing the same dates The
commission held by Commander Hoyt Of
/ the Grand Island Soldiers home expires
September ., 1909. Joseph Presson's com
mission as commander OF the Milford Sol
diers home expires May p, 1893, and that
/ of J. 7. MOTey, superintendent of the In
sttute for the Blind, June p, 1893. The
commission reads during good behavior or
words to that effect. not 70 exceed two
years. The six-year terms are fixed by
statute.
/ II is generally believed that Governor
elect Shallenbergsr could find some excuse
/ Of course to let these superintendents out.
btu it is not believed complaint charging
activity In politics would lie.
( II is the rule that when a postna ster is
appointed for four years he serves out his
/ term Notwithstanding change in admins
! tration, bur II is hardly possible that the
/ new democratic governor will let well
enough alone even for d short period.
Brothers May Be Reunited.
/ BY tine medium OF the press Lewis
! O-Connoly and T. r. O'Connolly, separated
! by continent and an ocean, are to be
/ united after almost quarter Of a cen
/ tury. Some time ago Deputy Secretary of
State Addison Wait received letter from
| Lewis OConnolly inquiring for the where
/ abouts Of his brother, who, many years
ago practiced law in Nebraska. Today Nj
| Wait received the following letter from the
Continued on Third Pagel