The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-01-05
OKLAHOMA WILL
OPPOSE HOOK
Oklahoma Believes Kansas Judge
Favors interests, Says Senator
eore-Hinges on 6rlstow

Washington, d. c., Jan. 3.-Prob-
ably no greater opposition to a candi-
date for the United states supreme
court ever has been shown than In the
case Of Judge Hook, OF Leavenworth,
Kans, who, 1t has been announced. Is
being considered favorably by Presi-
dent Taft for a seat on the highest tri-
bunal in the nation.
Since It became known that Judge
Hook was a candidate many of those
senators who are known to be aligned
with the people and against the ad-
yancement of every issue or person
who might be suspected of leaning to-
ward privilege, have become exceed
ingly active and now are waging a
relentless crusade against the Kansas
jurist.
In the vanguard of those attacking
the record of Judge Hook and declar-
ing him to be not the best man that
can be obtained for the place. is SEN
ator Gore of Oklahoma and the blind
legislator will continue his activities
until It finally is decided officially that
Judge Hook shall ortshall not be given
the position.
Gore Opposes Hook.
In an interview given out Sunday
night Senator Gore said.
Whenever doubt exists as to
whether a Judge is just to the people
or leans toward privilege that doubt,
out OF abundant caution, should be re-
solved in favor of the people, when
the advancement of a judge is in ques-
tion. Is there such doubt in the case
OF Judge Hook? The people of Okla
homa, the corporation commission of
thtt state, and the attorney general
of Oklahoma practically are united
In the belief that there is just grounds
for such doubt. II is their belief
that he is pro-privilege, and therefore
against the people and against their
just endeavor reasonably to regulate
public service corporations. | share
this belief
THE people should not be asked to
run risk in an appointment of this
character involving life tenure of Of
|fice.
There are lawyers and there are
superior judges who are above sus-
piclon. and one of these should be ap-
pointed and eonfirmed~as against a
Judge who is overfriendly to privilege
lor even as against one who labors un.
der such a we'll grounded or well
spread apprehension of being thus
|oyer-friendly.
This would cast an additional sus.
picion upon the judiciary which should
be avoided.
Il will not undertake now to analyze
Judge Hooks decisions on which the
foregoing opinion is based.
Honesty Of Judge.
"The people who exploded the dog
ma that the king could do not wrong
cannot be expected TO acquiesce in
the doctrine that court can do no
wrong. Mr.. Jefferson summarized the
whole truth in the sentence that
Judges are MS honest as other men
and no more. He also said that II the
liberties of the American ever were
Host Il would be through the federal
Judiciary, with its life tenure This
Is nadditional reason for resisting
the appointment of an inferior Judge
to the supreme bench of the United
States, whose official record has ex
cited sernous apprehension and dis
trust.
let US, as far as possible, keep tbs
judiciary above suspicion and the er
mine unspotted, This is the best way
in which to silence and disarm the al
legged mob"
| In his fight senator Gore Will have
the backing of Senator Owen and tbs
majority of the progressiyes Of tbs
senate. II is now believed, although il
generally is conceded, that Senator
Bristow of Kansas is the pivot upof
which no inconsiderable part of pro
gresslve sentiment will swing.
5 should Senator Bristow, who is
progressive out and out. decide thai
Judge Hook is not the man for tbs
place. and oppose his elevation ever
though the Judge be from his hom'
state. then It is assured that progres
sives as a whole will oppose Hook
But. with Bristow sanctioning th'
Kansas Judge many progressives vii
stand with him The standpatter
are sure to do SO,
4 There is certain, however, to be on
OF the hardest battles in the histor,
Of the government against confirms
ton of Judge Hook should he receiv'