Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-24
SUBCOMMITTEE
OF SENATE TURNS
WHTPPLE DOWN
South Georgia JuriSt Loses
First Round in Fight for
Confirmation as United
States Judge
BY RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. April 21-The
senate subcommittee to which was re-
ferred the nomination of Judge T. V.
Whipple, of Cordele, for federal judge
in southern Georgia, agreed unanimous
ly this afternoon to adversely recon-
mend the nomination to the judiciary
committee. This means that the judi
ciary committee will recommend to the
senate the rejection of the Whipple
nomination, and that the nomination
Will be rejected by me senate in due
time, probably Monday or Tuesday art
ernoon.
The subcommittee reached its agree
ment this afternoon after hearing from
Senator Thomas W. Hardwick, whose
statement was made in the presence of
Judge Whipple, VINO had been especial
ly requested to be present.
Following the action of the sub-com-
mittee. Judge WhippIe stated that he
had been made the victim OF circum-
stances over which he had no control.
He left for his home tonight, on terms
of the most cordial relations with both
Senators Smith and Hardwick. Berore
leaving he shook hands with the MEM
bers of the committee, and with Sena
tor Hardwick, and to each of them eN-
pressed a profound regret that circum-
stances had made it impossible for
tn6m 10 neIp 10 SIdllIy bHC dIhp-lAOi VI
his life.
SENATOR SMITH RELEASED.
The vote in the subcommittee was
made unanimous by the action of Judge
Whipple informally releasing Senator
Hoke Smith from any obligations to
support his confirmation. Mr.. Smith
had written to Judge Whipple. asking to
be released from a premature promise
TO support his confirmation, and the
Cordele man readily acceded to the re-
quest. When the senior senator tenta-
lively agreed TO SUPPORT The confirma-
ton he had no idea that subsequent
developments would so clearly establish
a fixed purpose OF the attorney general
to disregard the wishes of his colleague
(Mr Hardwick) i'm which he himself
had concurred.
Senator Hardwick's statement to the
subcommittee was clear cut. He de-
clared that his objection to Judge Whip
pie was entirely impersonal, that he
entertained no i'll will toward him and
did not question either his personal
and professional integrity, or his ca
pacity as a lawyer. He recounted his
interviews with the, attorney general
respecting the vacancy, told of his in
dorsement of John T. West, of Thomson.
in which his colleague Concurred, and
declared that events justified the be-
lief that had he recommended the NOM
nation of Judge Whipple himself, the
department. of justice would have dis
regarded his wishes and recommended
the nomination of some other person.
The subcommittee was in unanimous
agreement with Senator Hardwick that
the appointment was personally Of
fensive and obiectiona ble-though all of
them entertained a high regard for
Judge Whipple.
The fact of the matter is that many
members of the senate feel sense OF
resentment toward the attorney general
MOI only as rgards the Georgia Judge
ship, but respecting judicial nominations
from other states. AS has been pointed
out in these dispatches, the attorney
general has disregarded the advice OF
senator's with such consistence that
there has grown up belief that he has
embarked on q fixed policy TO disregard
the ADVICE of emmbers Of the senate
SENATORS TO REST ON OARS"
AS result of the forecas ted rejec-
tionIof Judge Whipple, there is doubt
and specula ton as to what will be the
next step. Certain it is that neither
Of the senator's will make any move
voluntarily to have the vacancy filled
by appointment They will rest quietly
on their prerogatives. and of course viii
advise with the president concerning an
other nomination, if he cares TO advise
with them. but they are not likely 80
take the initiative. 1t is equally as GER
tain that they will stand squarely on
what they believe to be their constitu-
tional rights in the premises, and prob
ably reject any nomination that is not
acceptable to them.
o. H. TL Co.,