Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-14
URGE CANDIDACY |
Of JUDGE KELLY
Delegation Of Virginian.s',
Forty Strong, Visit
The President
WILSON'S MIND OPEN
Decidedly Favorable Impression Be
licved to- Have Been Made Upon
Executive Yesterday.
WILSON'S MIND OPEN

delegation which has apperaed at thu
White House since the vacancy wa:
created in the Supreme Court OF the
United States by the death OF Justice
Lamar, yesterday called upon Presi,
dent Wilson and urged the appoint,
ment of Judge Joseph L. Kelly, OF
the Virginia State Supreme Court OF
Appeals. The delegation was conpos-
ed of about forty prominent lawyers
of Virginia. 1t was headed by Sena-
tors Martin and Swanson and Repre-
sentativcs Saunders, Watson, Flood
and Slemp.
Members of the delegation feel that
they made decidedly favorable i'm
preston upon President Wilson in be-.
half of Judge Kelly. The President
in thanking the delegation for pre-.
senting the Virginia jurist's name,
declared that he did not know Judge
Kelly and was delighted to have his
attention directed to him. The Presi-
dent added that. his mind is still open
on the question of the Supreme Court
vacancy. He said he has not yet de-
termined upon the man he will offer
the appointment. This information al
so encouraged the Kelly delegation.
The Virginians first assembled at
the Willard Hotel and drove to the
White House in automobiles. They
were closeted with the President for
more han half hour. As each
man filed into the private Offices OF
the President, Judge John w. Price
formally presented him to the chief
executive. The President shook the
hand of each man in the most friendly
manner.
Senator Martin, State Senator
Buchanan, of Marion; Judge Price, of
Bristol, and X. K. Kirkpatrick, of
.l.ynchburg acted as spokesmen for
rne delegation. Senator Martin lead
ing off, first presented the indorse-
ment of the members of the Supreme
Court of Appeals of Virginia and the
members of the State Corporation
Commission. These Endorsements set
forth the brilliant legal attainments
Of Judge Kelly and his fitness for high
judicial duties, holdipg he. is an ideal
man for the Supreme Court of the
United States. Senator Martin, then
addressing the President in behalf
Of. the delegation, declared that the
movement in interest of Judge Kelly
Gfiginated amQngfthe members of the
bench and bar of Virginia, the men
who know of his ability and his eng
nent fitness for judicial work. He SAD
the movements did not get its inspi-
rations in Washington. The Senate,
also pointed out to the President that
Virginia has not had a member of tho
Supreme Court of the United States
since the days before the Civil War
and has never in its history furnished
jurist for the United States Court
of the Fourth Circuit, composed o1
the States Of Maryland, Virginia, thu
two Carolinas and West Virginia. HI
concluded by stating that in Judge
Kelly, Virginia presents lawyer ant
iurist, who, by training, education anc
experience. is in every way fitted fol
the highest court in the nation, ant
if the President looks to Virginia q
furnish the man, he will find in Judge
Kelly the ideal jurist for the Suprem,
Court.
Judge Price, State Senator Buch
anan and Mr.. Kirkpatrick discusse,
the personal side of Judge Kelly
They said he was son of an eminen
Virginia Judge, and came from lon
line of Virginia lawyers.