Evening star., 1922-12-05
of Pierce Butler Ex.
ceedingly Well Received.

The appointment Of Pierce Butler
of Minnesota to the Supreme Court
bench-the third already made By Tresi-
dent Harding-was generally received
with praise by editors. The very fact
may prove an advantage. they believe.
His youth also is declared to be in his
favor.
No man ever was appointed to the
Supreme Court bench. the New York
whom the general public knew less than
it does about Pierce Butler. The bare
facts seem to be that. while classed as
a democrat. Mr.. Butler has never fig
ured conspicuously in democratic poll.
tics. and that. having been successful
in the practice OF his profession. espe-
cially as a railroad law expert. his
fame has not spread beyond narrow
bounds. Mr.. Butler. with time. will
have full opportunity to make his own
he stands in the eyes Of the public as
man not committed to predeter-
mined course either of liberal or reac-
tionary views" The fact that ''he is
the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin dn-
dependent republican, suggests in dis
cussing his lack Of nationwide legal
fame. while the Newark News dnde-
pendent) suggests that he will be an
unknown QUANTITY" for some time to
that taking a capable lawyer in his
prime and elevating him to this high
position Is infinitely better than If the
President had offered the place to
defeated aspirant for office. 1t happens
that Mr.. Butler like the late Chief
Justice White. is a Roman Catholic and
that fact may be taken as Presi-
Dental rebuke to the spirit OF religious
intolerance now 80 spectacularly mani
takes the position that ''the Supreme
Court is being packed with reaction
aries Of the most uncompromisfng type.
and that there is little hope that any
human considerations will find express,
IAN excellent appointment" de-
clares the Buffalo Times (democratic).
"air. Buffers extensive experience in
government litigation is a valuable
part Of the equipment that makes him
a logical choice for the supreme court
has had no judicial experience will
be an asset or liability remains to
be seen" suggests the Birmingham
News independent democratic). but
1t is convinced that his long expert
ence in railway work as legal adviser
to western road corporations and his
work in railroad valuations should
make him q very useful member of
the court" The Brooklyn Eagle Gn-
dependent democratfc) suggests that
the "so-called liberal element of the
court now is reduced to one." and
Of public opinion. as expressed at the
late election. should have more of
representation on that court. This is
feeling" continues the Eagle, that
number of conservatives. who do not
doubt the conscientiousness of law
yers like Pierce Butler. but see that
the fixed habits of looking at social
and corporation questions from one
viewpoint. is safely to be predicted
Of the Intellectual honesty Of the
court, as voiced by Mr.. Gompers and
others. whether just or unjust. is
most unfortunate thing for the dig
nifty and prestige Of judicial decisions"
pierce Butler has been noted for
says the Duluth News-Tribune dn-
dependent republican,. HE is one of
the ablest lawyers in the northwest"
while tho St Paul Pioneer-Press (fn-
dependent) says his career has been
nothing 50 much as succession 10 h1f Of
possession Of the highest aualifica-
tions" The st. Paul News (inde-
pendent) is convinced that he will
be a good Justice"
The fact that he was not originally
mentioned for the. place does not
mean anything in the view of the
Syracuse Herald Independently. be-
cause ''he has served the Canadian
government and our own in profes-
sional trusts Of the first magnitude.
It IL worthy Of note that Mr.. Butler
is an expert in the physical valuation
Of railroad properties. and his expert
ence and proficiency in this line
should prove Of great advantage to
him in q court where such questions
have. and will again, come up for final
adjudication" Mr.. Butler "seems to
be admirably qualified for his post
and is appointed solely on merit" the
New York Times independent demo-
cratic) holds, ana the President, In
making the selection, according to