Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-05-08
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, May s

dent Taft has recently had frequent con
sultations with members of the Senate
judiciary committee. Within the las
few days he has seen practically every
member of the committee, democratic al
we'll as republican, snd an effort bad beer
made to throw great deal Of mystery
about their calls at the White House
On high authority II may be asserted
hat the principal reason for President
Tait's recent consultations with TIT
members of the Senate judiciary com
mittee is his desire that hereafter sp'
pointments to the judiciary shall no
be considered as peculiarly senatorial
patronage. he wants to be able to sp
point as judges the men who are, 10 hii
opinion, the most capable, of the highest
character, and the best fitted legally and
morally for the position, regardless o.
whether they have the endorsement OIL
the Senator from the state in which the
appointment is to be made. And he
has sought to impress this view upon
The judiciary committee so as to ensure
the confirmation of his nominations In
the face of the possible opposition Of
senators who may have personal OBJ
ections to his nominees, or who may
have tavorites OF their OWE whom they
desire to see elevated to the bench.
he vents judges to be no longer coD'
sidered as part Of the senatorial patron
age, as has been the time-hOnUred Gus
tom, but that their selection shall be en-.
tirely free frOmspolitical considerations.
President Taft has consulted with
senator's regarding appointments to the
bench in the south. The Hundley case
in Alabama aud the choice of judge to
Gil the vacancy 10 North Carolina have
been troubling him good deal. He
wants to appoint men who will lend
dignity to the Office and sgainst whom
40 word of criticism will be raised. la
some localities of the south the choice OF
such men in his own party is limited
aud the question is as to whether he
should seek the character OF appointeee
.hat be desires from among the
able aud distinguished democratic
lawyers available for positions. Presi.
lent Taft today ended the suspense
over the various judgeShip appointments
" sending the names to the Senate Of
William |. Grub, for the United States
adgeship for the Northern district OF
Alabama, vice Huntley, resigned
George DOnworth, for the Western dis
trict of Washington; and Charles A.
Willard, for United States judge in
Minnesota, vice Milton d. Purdy, re.
signed. The presidents decision over
these appointments completes the list Of
judicial vacancies now pending, With
the exception OF one judgeship in North
Carolina.
From the best OF authority, 1t was
earned today that President Taft and
MS cabinet went into discussion Of the
whole Roosevelt conservation policy
Yesterday when the dispute between
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson and
Secretary Of the Interior Ballinger came
up and that the president told his cabi-
oct that be wanted it understood from
the start that he favored the Roosevelt
conservation idea and that he wanted all
members of his cabinet to work to that
end. The conservation idea he said was
one of the greatest policies that had been
evolved by the last president and he
santed his administration to stand be-
fore the people of favoring it. This
brought forth a statement from Secretary
If the Interior Ballinger than was al
most 10 the nature of an apology for
The restoration Of over 5000, 900 acres
of land that had been Withdrawn under
Roosevelt as containing water power
sites. Secretary Ballinger stated to the
cabinet that he favored conservation but
that he believed it could not be accom-
plished in the manner In which Mr..
Garfield, under Mr.. Roosevelt, had set
sbout TO do it. The president, II is un-
derstood, told the secretary of the in.
terror that he wanted no more restora-
tons made until Congress should have
bad time to act. Secretary Bsllinger is
understood to have told the president and
cabin:t that he would be gald 10 follow
out this suggestion. No decision was
reached in the mOOted question yester-
day.
The Senate heard from the Anal
WoodWorkers' International
Union today through long petition SUBJ
mitted by Senator Gllliuger. 1t was an
argument in favor of the retention Of the
Dingley tariff on lumber. 1t was as
serted that dressed lumber can be man-
ufsctured cheaper in Canada than 10 this
country aud the Dingley rates we're nee
essary to protect the American workman.
The president this afternoon settled
the long controversy over the st. Louis
poslmsstership by sending TO the Senate
the nomination of Thomas j. Atkins to
succeed Frank Wyman, who held the
place for eight years. Atkins IL United
States sub-tressurer at 81. Louis and
prominent worker In the republican
ranks. He has served as chairman of
the republican state committee and was
a member of the Dationsl committee
previous to the selection of Charles
Nsgel, who is now secretary Of the de-
partment of commerce aud labor.
The employees of the navy yards
throughout the country petitioned the
president today for q half holiday on
during the summer. Presi.
dents Mckinley and Roosevelt granted
Their quest annually duriog their ad-
and President Taft, after
looking up the matter, will probably do
the same.
The officers Of the National Negro
League, which was organized
early last year at Philadelphia, have
issued q call for a meeting OF the league