The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-06
FURTHER CHARGES
AGAIN S I HOOK
TAFT Withholds Kansan's APP
Pointment as More Objec-
tions Conc In.

Washington D. c. January 5.---Infor-
nation has been forwarded to Presl-
dent Taft which may delay his decis-
+ ion on tho question of filling the va
cancy on tho Supreme Court bench,
and may possibly overcome his prefer
Z eEce for Judge William c.. Hook, OF
Kansas
Yesterday afternoon the President
expressed himself to Senator as
practically determined on the nomina-
tion OF Judge Hook. The protests
against the Kansas turist which
have been docking In at the White
House recently have not had at all the
desired effect OH the President, and,
as has been pointed out in these dis
patches. have tended rather to confirm
his inclination toward Judge Hook
They have been based almost entirely
upon decisions rendered by Juugo
: Hook, chiefly against state 2-cent fare
laws.
But the information that has now
been forwarded to the President Is OF
. an entirely different character. 1t has
nothing to do With any OF these 2-ccnt
fare decisions and has no relation to
any OF the protests that have been
made on such grounds. II will DO re-.
membercd that some time before his
death the late Associate Justice Brew
CT told the President that in his opin-
ion Judge Hook was not fit for the
supreme bench. For n long time the
President was ignorant OF the ground
on which Justice Brewer had based
that opinion.
Special inquiry into the matter was
made in Kansas. but no satisfactory
eNplanation was obtained. Judge Hook
himself WAS entirely unable TO suggest
any reason for Justice Brewers oppo-
ST iS hot 81
incident had bearing on the Presi-
dents decision year ago when. at
ter !aclininS toward Judge Hook for
some time. and practically assuring
his Kansas supporters that he would
he named. Judge Nandevantcr, OF the
same circuit. was finally chosen.
When the present vacancy on the
Supreme bench occurred and the name
OF Judge Hook again came under con-
stderatton for promotion. Attorney
General Wickersham made q personal
effort to get at the bottom OF Justice
Brewers opposition. His inves,iea-
tion finally led him to the conclusion
that II was based upon Justice Brew
c-s opinion that Judge Hook was too
radical in his general views FOR SER
vice. Oh tho Supreme Court. Justice
Brewer was decidedly conservative,
and did not regard radical view with
favor. This seemed to be tho true
explanation. and although Attorney
General W!ckcrsham IS strongly COM
mittcd to the appointment OF Secre-
tary Nagel, 1t was mis- work that
counted largely In ohtaiFiing the Pres
dents favor for Judge Hook.
There Is reason for saying now.
however, that the information just
forwarded to tho President may fur
nish n different explanation OF Justice
Brewers opposition to Judge Hook.
At any rate, it has sufficient force to
cause tho President 10 desire full
crpla nation before lie takes Anal ac-
tion in tho matter.
And inasmuch as that explanation
viii require some time, II IL likely that
either the appointment will be do
layed or that some other man will be
selected 1t had been the intention OF
the President to make the nomination !
soon after the return of Attorney
General Wickersham from Panama |
next week. This new information has
been forwarded to the President by @ |
man who had previously indorsed !
Judge Hook.
II came 10 this man yesterday. but !
IN such a responsible way as to force
him to the conclusion that 1t was his
duty to tranemit It 1T once to tho /
President He has written n letter,
setting forth the matter In full. The
President Will have means OF sub
Stimulating this information or PROV i
Ing that II is without ground. But Il 7
Will taEs SONG time to do this and
IL Judge ssoolt 81 to ne held under con
sideration the appointment can hardly |
De made as COON $ had been expected |