Milford chronicle., 1921-06-03
EXPLAINS CONNECTION
WITH CHANCELLORSHIP
JUDGE GEORGE GRAY TELLS why He
ADVISED SENATOR WOLCOFT TO
ACCEPT The APPOINTMENT,
KNEW NOTHING OF ANY DEAL
JUDGE GRAY THOUGHT THAT SENATOR
WOLCOTT WOULD BE JUSTIFIED In
s. ACCEPTING APPOINTMENT.

The Wilmington Every Evening on
Wednesday evening published the fol-
lowing news item:
Following the announcement by
Governor Denney that he had nomin-
ated Senator J. o. Wolcott for the
sChancellorship it was learned that
the Senator, before consenting to the
nomination, had consulted a number
of friends, one of whom was Judge
George Gray. Feeling assured by the
friends he consulted that it would be
proper to accept the appointment, he
gave his consent to the Governor and
the nomination followed.
Judge Gray, upon being approached
by reporter of Every Evening this
morning, in regard to his name hav-
ing been mentioned in the newspap-
ers as one of those whom Senator
WOlcott had consulted as to his ac-
ceptance of the ChancellOrship, said:
'It is true, Senator Wolcott about
week or more before the announce
ment was made, called upon me and
told me that he had been credibly in
formed that if he would like to be
Chancellor the Governor would ap-
point him on the expiration of Chan
cellOr Curtis term. Senator WOlcott
said that he was much surprised at
the information and had at first re-
fused to consider it, and upon being
spoken to again on the subject, he
had said that if Chancellor Curtis
was to be displaced solely to make
him Chancellor he would not further
consider the proposition. He said he
was then assured that such was not
the case and that others whose terms
expired at the same time would not
be reappOinted; that he had then con-
suited the chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Committee and the chair
man of the county committee, as well
as others who were active party lead
ers, as to how it struck them from a
party point of view. Upon receiving
their approval he had come to me for
counsel, stating that a place on the
bench had long been his ambition,
and asking me what I thought of the
of his accepting the offer of
such an appointment.
Il asked him how the suggestion
of his leaving the Senate would be
received by his Democratic colleagues
there. He told me that those to whom
he had spoken on the subject, who
were not a few, all thought he would
be justified in accepting the position
offered.
"As the situation then presented it.
self to Senator Wolcott, 1 thought, /
and so told him, that he would be
ustit1ed in accepting an appointment I
hat would result in a thing so de- |
'lrable as nOn-partisan bench. It E
lid not occur to either him or me
hat in so doing his action would be
by any whose opinion
le regarded, or that public sentiment /
would be arrayed against him-a
entiment largely due to the whole
ome and justifiable feeling that
Judges who had made good should
'e reappOinted. In an opinion of this
ind he and I agreed, but, as I have
lready said, this policy of reappoint-
nent, Senator Wolcott was informed.
vas not to be pursued.
The manifestation of public feel
1g which took place Immediately /
fter the announcement by the gov
rnor of his proposed appointments z
the beneh was unexpected by either '
i'm or me. Senator Wolcott, as you ::
now, Immediately responded in the Z
etter which does him so much credit,
rhich was in keeping with his high I
haracter and honorable sensitiveness /
} public opinion. He has not violat- I
those high standards of honor and t
ropriety that, to, my knowledge,
ave always governed him, and he f
ill, believe, continue to receive the r
1miration and respect of all who t
now him." n