The Washington times., 1914-03-11
Think APPOINTMENT
OF CLAYTON CERTAIN
Expect Supreme Court Vacan-
Cies to Be Filled With a Dis
trict Man and an Outsider.
BY JUDSON c. WELLIvER.

With two places on the bench of the
Supreme Court of the District to be
tiled in the near future much concern
is felt in legal circles over the various
reports of candidates. and aspirations,
political support, and geographical ad-
v"ntages claimed in behalf of various
men who are being discussed for the
places. Meanwhile. nobody knows any
hing about what is on the mind OF
President Wilson. who will have the
appointments to make.
An oracle of local politics today pro-
nounced the final opinion that one
Judge would be named from the local
bar. and one from outside. This Is
based on past performances, and IT
introduces elements of profound un-
certainly. The impression is so firm as
10 be tantamount to conviction, among
many local people, that Henry d.
Clayton. chairman of the House Judi
ciary Committee, will be named for
the first vacancy, to succeed Chief
Justice Clabaugh. 1t is expected that
Justice Job Barnard will be designated
for promotion to chief justice. and
that Mr. Clayton, despite his denial
today will be named for the resulting
vacancy. Mr.. Clayton will have. of
course. a political backing that could
hardly be matched by anybody else. if
one of the places is to be filled from
outside the District.
Justice Barnard will retire in June,
and the second vacancy will be avail
able. Therefore, the candidates whose
friends are at present active have their
eyes on both places.
All Guesses Doubtful.
u there is to be an appointment from
some foreign jurisdiction. guesses as to
the winner are necessarily moer or less
dubious. because of the political COM
plexities involved. All Congress and its
cross-currents of influence are involved
at once: Maine, California. or Alaska
might be drawn upon for the judicial
r2aterial The names now most prom;
nentiy mentioned, aside from that of
Mr. Clayton. are John w. Davis, of
Vest Virginia: Judge Niles, of the city
court of Baltimore, and Congressman
J. Harry Covington, of Maryland. Mr..
Iotington, however, is quoted as saying
his name is not to be considered.
Arthur Peter and George H Lamar,
both of whom may be described as
Observation-Disclosures and who have
tong practiced law in this city and
politics in Montgomery county, are re-
garded as important figures in the con-
lest Mr.. Peter has been a figure of
prominence in Maryland politics. being
allied with the older and conservative
element; Mr.. Lamar is associate in law
practice and In politics with Senator
Blair Lee. for whom he has been a po-
litical manager ever since the Senator
entered politics. Mr.. Lee has already
'arr:ed to the White House his vigor-
Gus recommendation for Mr.. Lamar.
Mr.. Lamar is a brother of William r.
Laar, whom President Wilson named TO
De assistant attorney general for the
Postoffice Department. and head of that
departments legal services.
Charles c. TU>ier, of the firm of
Tucker. Kenyon e. Mcfarland. is strong
ly supported for a place on the bench.
He has had long legal experience and
na:iTe son of ~. T'i3 Their
is also l le-s-stent discussion of CIarence
Wilson. Eow United States district at
torney. The name of Samuel J. Graham,
Assistant Attornev General, is strongly
supported by some of his followers.
who point out that he recently refused
q Fe0erai judicial 'Appoi1tne II in Ihe
Vest. aid who beiiev.. he might be
20 in,