Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-14

Justice Evans is one of the best known
and most popular aud most able jurists
in Georgia. For a number of years he
has been the presiding justice of the
second division of the Georgia supreme
court.
His name was on the list of eighteen
prominent lawyers and jurists of mid
die and south Georgia, recently sub
mtted by Senator Hardwick to Attor-
ney General Gregory with the state
ment that any one of them would be
the federal Judgeship of the southern
district Of Georgia to succeed the late
Judge Wallace w. Lambdin.
Justice Evans is a Georgian and has
spent practically all his life in this
state, having been born at Sandersville
on May 81, 1865. His appointment as
associate justice of the supreme court
of Georgia dates back to 1904 in which
position he has continued up to the
present date.
Justice Evans graduated from Mer-
GER university in the year 1881 with a
degree of A. B. He received his A. NJ.
degree the following year from the same
institution. He later studied law at
Yale and was admitted to the bar in
the state of Georgia in 1884. In 1886
he was a member Of the state legisla-
ture. In 1888 he was delegate to the
national Democratic convention.
From 1890 to 1897, he was solicitor
general of the middle Georgia circuit
and in 1899 was elected judge of the
same circuit. He served as Judge until
his election as associate justice of the
supreme court
Justice Evans father. Colonel Bev-
erly D. Evans, was the descendant of
a distinguished Welsh family which set
tied in South Carolina in 1896. Justice
Evans mother was Miss Sarah Smith.
of Sandersville.
1t is expected that the United States
senate will promptly confirm the nomi-
nation of Justice Evans
Both of the Georgia senators have in
d1cated their willingness to accept JUS
tice Evans.
Attorney General Gregory transmitted
Justice Evans name to the president
yesterday afternoon, with the recon-
mendation that he be nominated for the
judgeship.
The nomination of Justice Evans, and
his confirmation by the senate will
bring to a close the agitation in Georgia
over a federal judgeship vacancy that
has attracted much attention since last
December. when Judge Wallace w
Lambdin died Unexpectedly.
Following the death of Judge Lamb
the attorney general the appointment OF
John T. West. of Thomson. Senator
Smith concurred in this recommends
ton. Attorney General Gregory declin-
ed to name Mr.. West, because Of his age.
Senator Hardwick then suggested that
either Joseph Z. Pottle, of Milledgeville
or Thomas S. Fielder. of Macon, would
be acceptable, and again Senator Smith
concuTred.
The department Of justice, however,
declined to recommend the nomination
Of either Mr. Pottle or Mr.. Fielder, but
recommended the appointment of Judge
L. V. Whipple, of Cordele. Judge Whip
pies name was sent to the senate by
the president, but was rejected.
Attorney General Gregory next turned
to Naldosta for a federal judge. and. the
name Of Judge William E. Thomas was
sent to the senate. The nomination was
speedily rejected by the senate.
A few hours prior to the nomination
of Judge Thomas, Senator Hardwick
submitted to the attorney general the
names OF eighteen of the most promi=
nent attorneys I'm the southern jurisdic-
ton, stating that any one of them
would be acceptable to himself and his
colleague. Justice Evans name was
on this list, so it may be regarded as
settled that he will be confirmed.