The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-09
APPOINTMENT PUks..
 PERSONAL WITHOUT ANY
 POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Alabama Senators and Congressman Accept the Decision With Good Grace as Nobodys Can
 dIdate Is Fa-
 vored.
By PATTERSON sTEALEY.

Washington. May S.-(SpeciaD-'rhe President today nominated William [. Grubb, of Birmingham. for the United States judgshp of the Northern Alabama district to succeed Oscar R. Hundley
 The appointment is significant in that no faction in the state in either demo- cratic or republican ranks can claim it's dictation.
 The honors are easy. Senator Banlsfead Senator Johnson and Representative Un- derwood went down in defeat recommend ing the appointment of a straight out democrat. Representative Richardson and other members of the house delegation who recommended to the Presidnt the ap- pointment of any one of three republi- cans are ignored. The state republican organization, which has remained solidly behind Judge Hundley, Is turned down. Judge Grubb is the personal appointee of the President He Is under obligations to not single politician in Alabama and that being the case he ought to make the independent judge that svery one Is pre- dieting he will make.
 Praise for Taft.
 On every side here there is praise of the President. The Alabama senators and Representative Underwood recognize that as long as 1t could not be a democrat, Judge Grubb is the next best man.
 As for Messrs. Richardson, Clayton and others, they are feeling so good over the final defeat of Judge Hundley that they are quite willing to look over the failure of the President to appoint one of the three republicans they made their fight for
 The state republican organization con soles itself. over the fact that MT. Grubb has not been allied with the anti-Hundley republicans and that Shelby Pleasants or one of his kind failed to score
 The appointment of MT. Grubb was practically decided upon a week ago yes terday when MT Grubb came to Wash ington and had interviews with the Pres ident and the Attorney General. Several days before that the President happened to mention to his brother that the Ala bama judgshp was causing him many sleepless nights.
 that he send for Judge Grubb The Presi- dent did so and became convinced of Grubb's qualifications for the office. The next day the President, as told in the Age Herald last week. asked several of his callers what they thought of Judge Grubb. Their replies were all favorable with the result that the nomination was forthcoming today.
 As heretofore stated the nomination will be referred to the senate judiciary committee and it is presumed that a fla vorable recommendation will be made to the senate at an early date. confirmation following shortly after. There is no hurry l.. ffO. T,.1- some time to arrange his legal affairs preparatory to taking the oath of office and assuming his place on the bench
 The flight over the Alabama judgeship has attracted national attention and there is much relief here over its settlement. While Judge Hundley is defeated he certainly put up one of the best flghts on record His supporters made their mistake In the last session when they permitted the case to be reported back to the judiciary committee. No additional material charges were brought out against the judge but once back in commit tee delay was a very easy matter and the result was that Congress adjourned without acting upon the case By the time MT Hundley was reappointed his opponents had worked up throughout the district a strong following of the mem bers of the bar against which the Pres ident did not care to stand.
 
 sentative Richardson of Alabama. has had charge of the fight against Hundley The two have been at daggers points for 25 years. MT. Richardson has been unreenting in his opposition to Hundley and has been the most potent force in securing his defeat
 Senator Bankhead said of the appoint ment of MT. Grubb:
 q think the President has made an excellent selection and it Is a happy luton of the matter. MT. Grubb is one of the foremost lawyers of Alabama and the south, is a member of prosperous firm of the highest standing, and my opinion Is. from what I know of his character and reputation, that he will make an excellent and acceptable judge. He has never dabbled in politics, for he is not a politician. and his nomination, I am confident will give general satis- faction in Alabama I do not think there will be any opposition to the confirma- tion of MT. Grubb."
 Senator Johnston said: "I have no kick and have no shout"