Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-22
Ouu,o, Re4.uuA
onOd gN4usIaD.s

u Hlhlue oeNelopments or the stubborn patronag
right in the last hours Of the Grove
Cleveland administration, whose outcome place,
the late Judge william IL Munger on on
federal district bench instead OF Judge William u
MeHugh' who was sitting a appointed
which account that currently accepted by thos,
supposed TO be in closest with the situation
Is challenged I'm OF its details by former Sen
ator John NJ Thurston. As an active player in tina
game and the one holding the winning cards Senate
Ihurston ought TO know. and am glad TO give hi
version. which he has the first time made publ
in letter TO me, as follows:
Il notice your article stating your understand
ing Of the cause which led up 20 the rejection
OF the nomination by the president OF Mr.. w. ID.
McHugh, and the appointment OF Judge Munger
as United States district Judge II is perhaps due
to the living and the uead that place before the
public true statement Of this matter.
Just about the time that 7 was 70 take my
seat In the senate. Judge Dundy died and Pres-
dent Cleveland nominated W. d. McHugh This
nomination was made without anyone having
consulted with I felt that Il was due my
position that should at least have been con-
suited I'm the matter OF the appointment OF n
Judge. 1 had no personal objection TO Mr. Nc
Hugh and he would have been confirmed except
for tho fact. that reliably Informed that
certain friends OF Mr.. McTIugh had gone about
the streets of Omaha damning Thurston and say
ing that would have no influence In the senate
and that they could confirm Mr.. McHugh whether
objected not. I only stating In a mild
way what his fool friends said about me in public
II looked upon Mr.. McIIugh as a young man
or irreproachable character. admirably qualified
to fill the position Of Judge. but I could not in
Justice to myself stand for the attitude taken by
his friends in attempting TO discredlt and dis
parage me- became a member Of the judiciary
committee OF the senate. TO which committee
his nomination was referred No pressure OF any
kind was brought TO bear upon me for or against
his confirmation, but in committee meeting 1
stated 20 the committee the exact situation as [
understood II, and said TO the committee that
some OF Mr.. McIiugh's most prominent friends
were discreditng me and my standing In the
senate. and that therefore opposed the nom
nation
Chairman Hoar Of the committee said Cen
themen, IL there is objection, will refer this
nomination TO Senator Thurston with authority
to report for or against TO hold the appoint
nent without report he may wish Senator
Hoar's statement received without objection
by all of the republican and democratic men,
bers OF the committee and Mr. MoiIughs appoint
ment was therefore In my pocket
Some days before Mr. Cevelands term was
TO expire his secretary telephoned saying that
the president wished TO see I Immediately
went to the White House and was received BY
President Cleveland. a man whom greatly ad-
mired and respected Of the greatest presi-
dents this country had He said to me- SEN
ator. are you trying 20 hold this nomination Of
judge until my term expires. so as to appoint a
republican, said, No, Mr.. President when a
vacancy expires during your administration I
recognize your right to name the successor Mr.
Cleveland said Senator. will you confirm any
any democrat that Is satisfactory to me will be
confirmed II you appoint him the same day his
appointment comes 20 the senate He asked me
to name two leading democratic attorneys that
would be unobtectionabe TO me- Immediately
named Carroll S, Montgomery and william H.
Munger. both splendid and good lawyers He
asked me II he appointed either of those
would have them confirmed. I said. Yes sir
The next morning a communication was re-
ceived by tho senate Withdrawing the name Of
w. d. McHugh. and appointing william H Mum
ger. Within hour I asked for an executive
session, and being authorized by the Judiciary
committee, reported Mr. Munger's nomination
favorably. and he Immediately ana unani-
mously confirmed. -Four hours after I received
a long message from my friend Munger setting
forth the reasons why he thought should permit
his confirmation. I cannot give the exact terms
OF my teegraphic answer. but in substance I
said. You were confirmed on my motion four
hours before received your wire
THAT is the whole history OF the matter"
II will be noted that in this letter Senator Thurs
me here recognized the probable resduary Iegntee
o the judgeship in the event of n failed confrma-
ion, and the transfer of the appointment from the
outgoing president Grover Cleveland TO the in
coming president Major Mckinley. Be that as II
nay. and whether within the knowledge OF Senator
Churston not, feel safe In reasserting that IL
vas the apprehension OF losing this last piece OF
democratic patronage TO a republican and the con-
fiction that the naming of a republican subject TO
Endorsement by Senator Thurson. meant. in fact the
election OF Mr.. Hall. what induced Judge Nc
Iugh to cease his efforts in his behalf, and to
'sk President Cleveland to withdraw his name and
ubsttute another.
Senator Thurston's graphic description OF wnat
ook place inside the committee room when the Nc
Hugh appointment referred 60 him a sub
OF one with power to act, viii surely be
ieeny relished by present United States
md make him long for revival OF the old custom.
{ Is easy 70 imagine what smile of satisfaction
would spread over his oountenance H. when those
8ryen-dictated appointments come IN IL should be
voted that they repose Indefinitely In
he senatorial vest pocket until the president shod
ome 20 his terms. The incident is characteristic OF
he difference in conditions then and now-for what
ver political Rntagonsms Senator Thurston may have
ngendered, all will agree that as senator ne com
handed the confidence OF his colea CUES enjoyed
O the full every advantage OF that hign and mighty
'rerogative known senatorial courtesy"