Evening star., 1949-09-15

m1ttee.
Minton
Continued From First Page)
elected to the Senate in 1884. He
was defeated for reelection by
Republican Raymond E. Willis.
Judge Minton had said earlier
today that such an appointment
would be "a complete surprise"
to him. He was at his home in
New Albany, Ind, recovering from
a broken leg.
After leaving the Senate, Judge
Minton became administrative
assistant to President Roosevelt
and nine Months later he was
appointed to the appellate court.
Active In Sports at College.
Judge Minton was relatively un-
known. except in American Le-
gion circles, before his election to
the Senate. He was a lesser
sports figure in the Midwest dur
ing college days at the University
Of Indiana and acquired some local
renown in that State as a lawyer.
Judge Minton campaigned sue
cessfully as a so-called soldier
candidate" and defeated the in
cumbent Republican. Senator Ar
thur r. Robinson.
He struck to national issues in
that fight but steadfastly opposed
the bonus for World War I vet
Grams despite his own record un-
der fire at Scissors and Verdun.
Served as Party Whip.
Militantly loyal to MIR. Roose-
velt's administration from the day
he took his Senate seat, Judge
Minton was rumored for Supreme
Court appointment as early as
1888 when Justice Benjamin Car
dozo's death created a vacancy on
the high bench.
In 1899, he became Senate
Democratic whip-the first tried
and true" guaranteed 100 per cent
New Dealer to hold that key post.
He succeeded the late Senator j.
Hamilton Lewis of Illinois.
Judge Minton served only one
term. He was defeated in 1910
by Mr.. Willis in the upheaval
that gave Wendell Willkie Indi-
ana's IA electoral votes.
In 1898. Judge Minton received
wide publicity when he intro
duced legislation proposing to
make it a felony to publish a
known untruth" about any one.
It drew him into heated exchanges
with Col. Robert r. Mccormick
of the Chicago Tribune and other
publishers. The proposal never
got anywhere in Congress.
Capehart Praises Minton.
The Senate must confirm the
choice Of Judge Minton for the
high court. but confirmation of
q former Senator is usually little
more than formality. quickly
done.
Senate Majority Leader Lucas
predicted an outstanding career"
for Judge Minton as an associate
justice. He said he was very
happy" to hear of his promotion
to the court.
Senator Capehart, Republican.
Of Indiana said: II was in hopes
the President would appoint a
to the Supreme Court
bench as a means of retaining a
true balance Of bipartisanship in
the judicial branch Of our Gov
ernment. However, since he did
not choose to appoint a Repub-
lican, I am delighted that the
appointment went to a Hoosier,
Judge Minton."
Judge Minton was born in
Georgetown. Ind, the son of John
and Emma Minton, on October 20,
1890. He received his primary
education in Indiana schools and
attained his bachelor of laws de-
gree at Indiana University in 1915.
While there he won his athletic
letters as baseball outfielder and
q football guard.
Lived in Florida Three Years.
A year after graduation, he be-
came q LII. M. at Yale and in
1917 married the former Miss Ger
trude Gurtz. The couple now have
three children.
Judge Minton began the prac-
tice Of law in 1916 at New Albany,
moving to Florida in 1925 for a
three-year stay. In 1928, he re-
turned to New Albany and re-
sumed law practice there until
1888 when he became public coun-
sellor for the Indiana Public Serv-
ice Commission.
He was dividing his time be-
tween American Legion work and
his legal duties with the Indiana
commission when the lure of
Washington brought him onto the
national scene.
II his nomination is confirmed