The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-09-18
WARREN TRUTTT
SUPREME JUSTICE

Warren Truitt. of Moscow, was Sat-
urday appointed as justice Of the
supreme court of the state of Idaho
to fill the vacancy created by the
resignation of Chief Justice Ailshie
filed at the beginning Of the cam
paign. Judge Truitt was candidate
for nomination to the supreme bench
at the primaries and is well known
over the state as an able attorney.
While the selection of Judge Truitt
was not forecasted, it has been un-
derstood that the governor intended
to appoint northern man to the po-
sition II one could be found who
could fill the requirements and who
VISA free to accept. The announce
ment was made Saturday evening
from Hot Lake, Oregon, where Gov
ernor Haines has been resting for
the past week.
BOWS TO NORTH
In making the selection Governor
Haines sought a man from the north
ern part of the state because, as
Judge Ailshie was from that end of
the state he thought the position
rightly belonged there. The matter
Of securing the right man for the
place, however, was a more difficult
matter. The place was rendered to
James E. Babb, of Lewiston, and to
Charles L. Hoffman, of Rathrum.
Both of these gentlemen, eminently
fitted for the position, were unable to
accept for the reason that each had
number of cases before the supreme
tribunal and felt 1t their duty to their
clients to remain with their law prac-
tice. The position is attractive only
on account of the honor which it
holds, for the time until the regular
election, when the appointee is sup
erceded by the elected justice, is so
short that the documentary considera-
ton is minor one.
Prefers Experienced Man
Finding that neither of these two
men could be induced to take the
place, Governor Haines almost gave
up hope of finding a man without
calling upon the south. While there
were a number of capable men in the
farther end of the state, strong pro-
tests had been made against a num-
Der and more were barred, under the
present circumstances by the fact that
at this time it was necessary that
man of he older school, who carried
with him the dignity of his years, be
appointed.
Believing that he must fall back
upon the southern part of the state
in the emergency thus created, Gov
ernor Haines then turned to Frank T.
Wyman, of Boise, feeling that his es-
tablished reputation as an attorney
would entitle him to recognition and
that he was eminently fitted for the
place. Mr.. Wyman was compelled tc
decline also and for the same reason
as that given by the other two men.
He expressed great regret for the ne
cessity, saying that it had alv avs
been his ambition to be a memb of
the supreme bench and that he felt
keenly the disappointment a. not be-
ing able to accept the position when
it was rendered to him.
Primary has Eject
tt result of the primary election
let enc more opportunity for the gov
ernor to select man from the north.
Knowing that the appointment of
Judge Warren Truitt would fulfil the
requirements demanded by the reign
of fire to which the court has been
subjected recently, Governor Haines
asked him to accept the position and
the judge consented.
This will not be first time that
the new justice has occupied a place
on the bench, for he was United
States judge of Alaska from 1891 to
1896. He was born in Fayette, Ind,
in 1852 and educated at McKendree
college where he secured his degree
as master of arts. He is at present a
practicing attorney in Moscow and is
vice president of the First National
bank of that city. In addition to his
service in the northern territory,
Judge Truitt has held public office as
state senator from Latah county 1905
to 1908, and was a delegate to the
national Republican convention at
Chi ago in 1908. He is member of
the Masonic fraternity.
To Gtavk ne nn,a