The Detroit times., 1910-03-16
WARNER WILL
APPOINT BIRD
Announces He Will Name Him To
Succeed Justice Montgomery-Judgc
Kuhn To Be Attorney General.

LANSING, Mich, March 16.-(Spe
cial. when the resignation OF
Judge Robert Montgomery OF the SUI
preme court Is received will appoint
Acknowledgement John Bird as his sue.
cessor on the supreme boncn," said
Governor Warner this morning.
The governor said that Probate
Judge Franz c. Kuhn. OF Mt Clemens,
would succeed Bird as attorney-gen.
eral and Neal A. Read. circuit court
stenographer. will fill Kuhns position.
Speaking OF the appointments thu
governor said
II have made two good strong APP
pointments. M. Bird has serl ed as
attorney general of Michigan for the
last five years, and | believe that he
has fairly earned this promotion by
honest. efficient services He has
been Jealous and faithful in the dis
charge OF the important duties devolv-
ing upon the legal department of the
state government. The value OF his
services to the state can hardly be
estimated. yet for the first four years
of his services he drew about one
half the salary paid the prosecuting
attorneys in the average county.
He succeeded one OF the<best at
torney-generals the state ever had aIid
has fully maintained the reputation
and standing OF the department.
have never before expressed my high
opinion Of Justice Montgomery SER
vices and the high esteem and regard
in which he is held by the people OF
Michigan. There have been n mum
Der OF names suggested for his sue
cessor, any one OF whom would have
been a most creditable appointment,
but taking everything into considera-
ton, believe Mr.. Birds appointment
TO have been the best one that could
have been made.
Judge Franz c. Kuhn is a splendid
representative Of the young attorneys
of the state He has had, however.
extended experience in official posi-
lions and has always demonstrated
his capacity. | believe him exception
ally well fitted for the important
duties that will devolve upon him.
II desire TO state that in making
these two appointments | have simply
sought to serve the best interests OF
the people OF the state OF Michigan,
and political considerations have not
had the slightest weight or influence
in determining who should be ap-
pointed"
While there have been indications
for some days that Mr. Bird was the
favored one for the appointment to
the bench, the announcement or the
appointment OF Judge Kuhn VIII be
received with surprise about the
state.
Judge Kuhn is at present probate
Judge of Macomb county, serving his
third term. and he was prosecuting
attorney of the county before going
on the bench. He is one OF the pow
ers of the Seventh district. In all DIS
cussicns relative TO appointments IN
this section OF the state the name oil
Judge Kuhn has been prominently 10
the fore.
He has always been close TO Gov
Warner. but has shown no desire 10
support Lieut.-G Kelley.
The feeling between Gov. warner
and Acknowledgement Bird became
ucute when the GlaZier trouble occur
red In 1908. Mr.. Bird and the COVER
nor failed absolutely to agree on a
nrogram in this affair and the Cover
nor was very bitter against the at
tcrney general.
This feeling continued, apparently
until the present time, and the an
uouncement OF Mr.. Birds seleclioh
came rs q big surprise to those VINO
have followed the trend or anairs AZ
Lansing.