The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-17
KEEN INTEREST IS
BEING SHOWN IN
APPOINTMENT OF
CIRCUIT JUDGE
Prominent Attorneys Named
i'm Connection With Va
cancy on Bench Caused
by Death of Judge
Chas. w. Ferguson

An appointment to fill the
vacancy on the circuit court
bench of jefferson county
caused by the death of Judge
Charles w. Ferguson may not
be made by Governor Thomas
E. Kilby for 10 days or two
weeks. During the coming
week Jefferson county cases
come up in the supreme court
and there will be little business
transacted in the local courts.
Inasmuch as the appointee must run for
election in the coming democratic primary
in May there is expected to be keen
interest manifested in the appointment
1t is known that Governor Kilby, in ad-
dition to desiring TO name only able men
on the importan, judicial positions, also
desires to appoint men to these vacancies
who will not be defeated at the polls, thus
indirectly at least, rejecting upon the ad-
ministration.
Information last night from sources
considered more or less conf1dential anu
authoritative was to the effect that the
most probable appointee to nil the exist
ing vacancy on the circuit bench mere
would be Judge Richard v. Evans OF BIZ
mingham.
Judge Evans, who is assistant attorney
general of the state, is known to nave
1f ha GOV who con-
siders him as in every way worthy anu
fit for high political office. The fact that
judge Evans served with distinction on
the court of appeals is also advanced N
support of the report emanatins iroiii
MONTGOMERY that he is destined to De
named for the vacancy here. Prior to De-
coming a member of the court of appeals'
Judge Evans practiced law successfully
in this city and had very strong support
from the local bar and bench when hs
went on the court of appeals
number of other prominent Blrmlhg-
ham attorneys are mentioned in connec'
ton with the existing vacancy. James
Weatherly is spoken of but 1t is known
that Mr. Weatherly stated several months
ago, when another vacancy existed on
the circuit court bench, that he would not
apply for the position and couid Hol
accept the place He is very highly re-
garded by Governor Kilby and served as
the ,egal adviser of the governor durins
the recent session of the legislature. II
is believed that if he were an appAcahe
he could have the position.
Mai Monte NJ. Ullman, former cry al
torney of Birmingham, who has only re-
Gently returned from France, where ne
served for some time in the American
Expeditionary Forces. is reported as a
probable applicant for the position am
is said to have very strong support.
Thomas + Judge former senator from
Jefferson county, and one of the strongest
s,Innorters of Governor Kilby in Jefferson
county, during his race for governor, viii
not he an applicant 1t is known thai
Mr. Judge was favorably considered Tor
the last vacancy, but it is understood nc
is not DESTROYS of going on the bench at
this time. 80,
Other men mentioned in connection with
Mr.. Judge was favorably considered tor
the last vacancy, but it is understood
the place are J. B. Arid, who was a
strong supporter of Governor k1lby ana
r ID Macarthur, who was one OF ms
strongest opponents. Just what hope the
supporters of Mr. Macarthur have or Sc
curing his appointment in view OF the
number of capable men who supported
Governor Kilby in his race has not peeh
made public.
Inasmuch as the law provides that the
appointment, Il made six months pe1ore
the peenral election, which in this case
takes place in November, must be mica
in the first general election, the man
named. if desiring the full term, must DC
a candidate in the primary eelctlon WHICH
takes place in May.