The Washington bee., 1910-01-29
POLICE JUDGE CHOSEN
President Decides to Appoint Arthur
E. H. Middleton
Choice Comes as a Surprise

Choice Comes as a Surprise
Young Attorneys Name Never Was
Prominent Among Candidates to
Succeed Ivory G. Kimball-Was
Recommended by Attorney General
Promises Reforms in Conduct of
Tribunal.
Announcement was made from the
White House Friday, Jan. Il, that
President Taft had decided to accept
the recommendation of Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham and appoint Arthur
E. H. Middleton as police Judge for
the District of Columbia, to succeed
Ivory G. Kimball, who has held the
position for more than eighteen years.
The recommendation of the Attorney
General was made only after care
ful consideration of the qualification
of various other candidates for the
Office, and also as to the probability of
the fitness of the incumbent to round
out another term. The friends Of
Judge Kimball have rallied on all
sides to his support, but the opposi-
ton also has been active, their con-
tention being that the position called
for a much younger man.
Surprise was expressed by many
at Mr.. Middleton's selection, as his
name at no time had been prominent
in the list of candidates for the place
Had there been a session of the
Senate today the name of Mr.. Mid
dleton would have been sent in, but, as
it is, his name will not be offered un-
til Monday. AS the question ofathe
validity of the acts of Judge Kimball
holding over until his successor quail
fes for the position was not brought
officially to the attention of the At
torney General, no mention concern
ing it has been made by the Depart
ment of Justice
Praised by Attorney General
When interviewed after the cabinet
yesterday, Attorney General
Wickersham said:
1T is true | have recommended
Mr.. Middleton'S nomination. From
personal observation | am sure he
possesses all the qualities necessary
to the discharge of the duties of a
police judge. In my opinion the po-
sition requires something more than
mere knowledge of law Mr.. Middle
ton undoubtedly has clear judgment,
an intelligent and sympathetic nature,
and with all is absolutely firm He
is a graduate of Harvard, and has
had considerable experience in the
practice of law in this city"
Mr.. Middleton after his graduation
at Harvard received a degree of
bachelor of laws at Columbia Uni
versity in 1893. In the same year he
was admitted to the District Supreme
Court bar and one year later to the
Court of Appeals. He first began the
practice of law with the late Benja-
min F. Butler, of the law firm of But
Ter, Barrett and French. Since the
dissolution of the firm Mr.. Middleton
has carried on the practice at his Of
fees at SIS Eleventh street northwest.
Son of Admiral Middleton
Mr.. Middleton comes from an old
Southern family. He was born in
1872 at the Pensacola navy yard,
where his father, the late Rear Ad-
miral Edward Middleton, was COM
mander. His grandfather, the late
Henry Middleton, was governor OF
South Carolina, and also for ten years
United States minister to Russia.
Arthur Middleton, a great-great
grandfather, was the signer of the
Declaration of independence xfrom
South Carolina.
Mr. Middleton is unmarried, living
with his mother and sister in Fif-
teenth street northwest. He is a
member of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion, the National Geograph-
ic Society, Sons of the American
Revolution, Society of Descendants
of the Signers of the Declaration of
independence, University Club, and
is president of the Washington Alum
nj Association of the Phi Kappa Psi
Fraternity.