The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-02
AGE LIMIT 0F D + APPLIED WOULD
 ELIMINATE MANY
Ny l.. s. BETTY

montgomery, May 1.-tSpecial )-Should Attorney General McReynolds adhere to
 his former decision not to recommend for appointment on the federal bench any man who Is past the age of 90 years it would eliminate from the list of candi- dates several prominent and able lawyers
 whose names have been mentioned in connection with the appointment as judge of the United States court from the mid dle district of Alabama to succeed the late Judge Thomas c. Jones.
 It is well known that the attorney gen eral of the United States has expressed himself as averse to the appointment of men on the federal bench who would not have at least 20 years to serve before at taining the age limit of TO- but whether or not he will adhere to that policy in the Alabama case is not known. If be- does and should President Wilson be guided by his recommenda+tar, it would mean the eliminatiopsof such well known aspiraats for tbe office as Congressman Henry D Tiayton, Judge Richard w. Walker, Judge N. D. Denson, Judge John
 Hr Disque, Judge A. D. Sayre and others
 The forced retirement of these able lawyers on account of age limitations would leave the field open to half dozen or more younger men whose names have been mentioned in connection with the office. The list of eligible candidates would then include Judge Thomas C. Me- Clellan, Congressman Hugh Dent Judge Ormond Somerville, Judge Armstead Brown, Judge William H. Thomas and several others.
 May Not Adhere to Decision
 It is pretty generally agreed that should General McReynolds not be guided by the ages of candidates In con- sidering the appointment for the Ala bama judgeship that the office will be rendered to Congressman Clayton or to Judge Walker. So far as can be learned, there is every reason for the belief that the attorney general favors MT. Clayton, though it Is believed that the President, for personal reasons, would prefer to name Judge Walker to fill the vacancy. However. it is agreed that the President in the present case will abide by his former policy in allowing heads of de- partments to fill all vacancies under their 
 Just what will be the attitude of At torney General McReynolds in regard to the federal vacancy in Alabama in view, of his former pronunciamento regard ing age limitations, is a matter concern ing which there is more or less specula- ton in official circles here Some peo- pie believe that the attorney generals declaration will not be unalterable in view of the excellent qualifications of J udge Walker Congressman Clayton and others who have been mentioned for the office. and others are inclined to the opin- ion that the ages of candidates will figure prominently in the consideration of the aspirants for the federal plum. However friends of these candidates will not be deterred by the attorney generals attitude on the age question In urging the appointment of men who are we'll past the 50-year mark.
 Mcclellan and Dent Mentioned
 Among the younger men mentioned for the appointment who are declared to be qualified for the office are Judge Thomas c. Mcclellan, associate justice of the Alabama supreme court congressman Hugh Dent, Judge Ormond of the supreme court, and others. Judge Mcclellan is being strongly urged by his friends to make application for the appointment, though it is not believed that he will oo so. However, it Is certain that his friends win present his name to the attorney general and to the President.
 In point of service Judge Mcclellan has occupied a position on the supreme court bench longer than any member of that court with the exception or Chief Justice Anderson. and he has made an enviabla and superb record. In vigorous man hood, deeply learned in the law and of extreme judicial temperament. 1t Is be- lieved that Judge Mcclellan would fill the office of district judge as creditably as any man in Alabama. and it is the of opinion that if other promi- nent candidates are barred on account of age limitations that he will stand an ex- cellent chance of securing the office.
 Congressman Hugh Dent is another of the younger men who is strongly men, toned for the office, and his appoint ment will be urged by his friends Mir. Dent before going to Congress made a fine success as a lawyer and his ap- pointment would doubtless give great to his many friends in Mont gomery and throughout the state.