The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-19
President Taft Nominates a
New Jersey Jurist
To Vacancy on the g. S. Su-
preme Court Bench.
KEPT THE MATTER SECRET
Until He Was Ready to Make
the Appointment.
His Jim Grow Car Law Decision
Beat Hook.

Washington, Feb. 19.-President Taft
today sent to the senate the nomination
of Chancellor Mahlon Pitney Of New
Jersey, to be an associate justice of the
United States supreme court.
He also nominated julius NJ. Mayer
of New York City to be judge of the
United States district court for south
ern New York and Ferdinand A Geiger
of CassvilIa, Wis, to be district judge
of the eastern district of Wisconsin.
The statement that Chancellor Pitney
would be named as the successor OF the
late Justice John NJ. Harlan was made
at the White House today subsequent
to a call by John W. Griggs, former at
torney general Of the United States and
a delegation of New Jersey lawyers all
of whom spoke of Judge Pitney in the
highest terms
The fact that Mr.. Taft probably
would select Chancellor Pitney did not
become known until last night and then
It was discussed only among some OF
the presidents closest friends I'm
usual efforts were made to guard the
secret The president had planned to
send the nomination in today as com
plete surprise. Mr.. Taft does not eX-
pect any opposition in the senate
In casting about for a successor to
Justice Harlan Mr. Taft first looked
beyond the Mississippi river, at one
time it seemed certain he would name
Judge William c. Hook of the United
States circuit court. and again tIlaI
Secretary Charles Nagel of the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor
would be chosen.
There was a protest against Judge
Hook because of his decision IN Two
Oklahoma cases, one lnVoIVlns tllo
nd
ssJim Crow car law. The latter case
in which Judge Hook decided In IA
vOr of the railroads and against lhe
contention of the negroes affected, IS
ga r. have been the final cause of
the presidents turning from the ran
sas jurist. o4.z+az |
against Secretary Nagel on the ground
that he had been too lenlent IN ,a Ine
enforcement of the immigration laws.
When Chancellor Pitney shal nave
been confirmed by the senate ana
has taken his place on the supreme
court, President Tart Will nave nau
+ha extraordinary experience OF nav /
ing constituted a majority OF tne
highest tribunal in the land-a bench
on which it had been his most eXall-
ed am bition to serve as chle. Jusllce.
In addition to naming five new
iustices- on a court of nine, President
raft also had the distinction OF ele-
waiting Associate Justice EdWaro y.
White to the chief justceshlp, Ilakihs
IN ALI six supreme court appointments
during the three years he has been
president. The five associate justices
We're: Messrs Isurton, Hughes, Nanda-
venter, Lamar and Pltney-
Labor Leader Protests.
Des Moines. Feb. ia. L Urich. |
president of the Iowa Federation OF |
Tahor today addressed Senators cum |
Minis and Kenyon at Washington, pro
testing against the apPoinItmeqqt, pdIlt1n q,+ by
of Nov Jersey to succeed the late JUS |
rice Harlan on the supreme bench
Mahlon Pitney was born in Morris
town N J. in 1858. He received his |
A. B.. A. M and Ii. D. degrees at
Princeton and was admitted to the
Far in 1882. He married Florence 7.
shelton of his native city in 1891 He
was twice elected to congress and
served his state in the legislature. He
1zas a Justice in the supreme court of
that state and chancellor of his state
in later years. He has always been