The Washington herald., 1911-02-01

Of William H. Hunt, of Montana, as
judge of the Commerce Court disap-
peared He was confirmed without show
of opposition. Even Senators Nelson and
Borah, Republicans. and Senator Clarke,
Democrat, who voted in the Committee on
Judiciary against reporting the nomina
ton. offered no objection when the mo-
ton was made to confirm Judge Hunt.
All of the justices Of the new Commerce
| Court have now been confirmed, and
there is no reason why the new judicial
branch should not be organized, and pro-
ceed to business without further delay.
Judge Martin A. Knapp. who was nom-
mated as chief justice of the Commerce
Court, was confirmed before the holiday
recess. The other four justices. whose
nominations were confirmed to-day are
William II. Hunt, of Montana, who be-
comes thereby an additional circuit judge
| for the Ninth circuit; Robert w. Arch
bald. of Pennsylvania. VINO becomes an
| additional circuit judge for the Third cir
cult; John T. Garland, of South Dakota,
| who becomes an additional ciNcuit judge
for the Eighth circuit, and Julian w.
Mack, of Chicago. who becomes an ad-
ditional circuit judge of the Seventh cir
cult
Becomes n Circuit Ju0Re.
Judge Martin A. Knapp also becomes
a circuit judge by virtue of his appoint
| ment on the Commerce Court.
BY the confirmation of Judge Hunt,
| which will be followed by his immediate
resignation from the Customs Court. Of
which he is now a member, a vacancy
will be created in the Customs Court, the
first to occur since it was organized. This
| vacancy will be filled by the nomination
! to-day of Judge George E Martin. of
the Common Pleas Court at Lancaster.
Ohio. Judge Martin is relative of Ar
thur 1. Vorys who was at one time Il
political manager for President Taft in
the preliminary campaign before the last
national convention at Chicago. Judge
Martin has already been offered and has
| accepted the appointment.
The executive session yesterday was
filled with more than usual interest.
Among the important nominations con-
I. Smith. of Iowa. to be circuit Judge Of
| the Eighth judicial circuit, to succeed
Willis Van Devanter. Of Cheyenne,
Wyo.. who was recently appointed as
sociate justice of the Supreme Court Of
the United States.
Difference Of Opinion.
1t has been known for some time that
there was a division of opinion among
the progressive or insurgent Republicans
in the Senate as to the propriety Of con-
firming Representative Smith. who is
classed by them as '.standpatter."
No one has ever questioned Judge
Smiths legal ability, for he served with
distinction on the bench in Iowa before
coming to Congress He has been a
stubborn fighter in Iowa, and has been
one of the few Republicans OF the Alli-
son school who has been able to hold his
own against the advance of the insur-
gents under Senator Cummins.
When the President was considering
the nomination of Judge Smith. he re-
ceived assurances from Senator Cum
minis that he would offer no opposition
to the confirmation. In fact. it is under
stood that the Senator from Iowa. who
has been unable to bring about Smiths
retirement at the polls and in the pri-
maries, welcomed an opportunity to
shift him to the Federal bench, which
will take him out OF active politics in
the Hawkeye State.
Bristow Votes "No."
Senators La Toilette and Bristow were
not we'll pleased with the prospect Of con-
firming Smith. They tried to organize
a fight on the Iowa Representatives NOM
ination. but made very little headway, in
view of Senator Cummins' attitude in
the matter. When it was moved yester-
day in the executive session of the Sem
ate to confirm Judge Smith, Senator La
Toilette was absent in Wisconsin. plan
ming to launch his boom for the Presi-
dency, but Senator BriStow, who was
present, demanded a vote. On Q showing.
the Senator from Kansas was the only
Senator who voted No
Senator Samuel H. Piles. of Washing |
ton. who goes out Of Office on March 4. |
took advantage Of an opportunity afford |
ed him to take the scalp Of local poll |
tician in Washington. On the motion of
Senator Piles, the nomination of Fred
c. Harper, of Seattle, as collector of
customs for the Puget Sound district, was !
rejected.
Senator Piles is said to have stated to |
his colleagues that Harper was person. |
ally distasteful to him, and following the |
traditions Of the Senate Mr.. Harper was |
voted down and out. Some of Senator |