The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-06

JuuSeSnlp IN South Carolina,
Washington, March 3.-The mem.
bers of the South Carolina delegation
in congress interested in the passage
of the bill providing for the appoint
ment of an additional judge, a district
attorney and a marshal, did not see
the president today, as announced last
night would be the case. Because of
other engagements which the presi-
dent had for the day, and for other
reasons, it was thought better to post
pOne the visit. This being the case,
The matter will go over until probably
Friday or Saturday. Numerous ap-
plications for the positions mentioned
have been coming in today by tele-
graph to the South Carolina congress-
men but it appears that since an
agreement has been reached In the
matter there would be no use for
others to apply.
There was much speculation here
tonight after it was fou. d that the
visit of the delegation to the White
House had been temporarily called Off
as TO the reasons why this was done.
From well posted lawyers there SEEM
ed TO be at least doubt as to whether
Congressman Johnson, being a men,
Der of the StXty-third congress. the
congress which has just passed the
bill, would be eligible for appoint
ment should he be nominated today
and at once confirmed before congress
ends tomorrow at noon. The best
opinion was that he would not be
eligible under these circumstances but
that the federal statutes will permit
him to accept the nomination Of judge
II this nomination is rendered him af-
ter the Sixty-third congress ends
While he is now to all intents and
purposes a member of the Sixty-fourth
congress, he will not be so according
to law until actually sworn in next
December. Just here is said to come
in well marked distinction and it
may have been that to meet any pos
sible legal technicalities it was thought
better not to push the matter until
the end of the present session at noon
tomorrow.
AT any rate Mr. Johnson is certain
to be the new judge of the western
district. He is an original Wilson
man, in and out of season, one of the
hrst men in the country to bring to
the attention Of the president the need
OF reforming the banking laws, and a
Democrat Of the old school kind. In
addition to this the door of the White
House has always been open to Mr..
johnson any time he wanted to go
there and the various cabinet officers
are his intimate friends. Mr.. john
son, Of course, will not resign the po-
sition of congressman from the Fourth
district until he is nominated for the
new judicial position and possibly, in
appointment,
would prefer to hold his seat until
regularly confirmed by the senate.
However, whenever he does resign.
he will send his resignation to the
speaker of the house, the speaker will
notify Gov. Manning Of the vacancy
from the Fourth South Carolina dis
trict, and there will then have to be a
special election to select a successor.
Among those whose names have been
mentioned here today in connection
with the race are John Gary Evans
or Spartanburg. I. A. Phifer and r. A.
Blackwood of Spartanburg, r. A.
cooper and William c. Irby Of Lau-
rens, I. c. Duncan of Union, John J.
McSwain, B. A. Morgan and Lewis w.
Parker of Greenvine
From letters and telegrams received
here throughout the day not only from
those who would like to have the no.
sltlons of judge. district attorney and
marshal but also from those who
would like to succeed Mr.. johnson, the
news that South Carolina is to have
another set of court officers has caused
much interest in the Palmetto State.
1t was also remembered here in
connection with this matter that sew
raj years ago when the salaries of
cabinet officers was raised from IS. 900
20 $1,000 year, Philander G. Knox
was a member Of the senate passing
uch a law. Afterwards he hecame
secretary Of State and the question
arose as To whether he was entitled to
$4,000 year or $4,000. He voluntar-
ily accepted the former amount. ac-
'ordinS to the recollection of those
who discussed the mottar loro to,,;rh.