Case: WARD McALLISTER, Jr., v. THE UNITED STATES
Abbreviation: McAllister v. United States
Decision Date: 1891-05-25
Docket Number: 
Citation: 26 Ct. Cl. 626
Volume: 26
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Parties: WARD McALLISTER, Jr., v. THE UNITED STATES.
Judges: 
Pages: 626–626

Head Matter:
WARD McALLISTER, Jr., v. THE UNITED STATES.
[22 C. Cls. R., 318; 141 U. S. R.]
On the claimants Appeal.
Tho judgo of the District Court of Alaska is suspended during a recess of tho Senate, and another person commissioned to perform the duties of the office ad interim. Subsequently, and before the next session, he is removed, and a third person appointed, who is ultimately confirmed by the Senate. The salary of the office is not drawn by the first substitute, but remains in the Treasury. Alaska at the time has no Territorial government, and is termed, in the act authorizing the appointment, a “district," and the claimant is commissioned as “ United States district judge for the District of AiasJta.”
The court below decides:
(1) The “ district judge” of Alaska has no legal rights different from those of other Territorial judges. Though termed in his commission ‘‘ United States district judge.” he is a civil officer, subject to suspension and removal at the xdeasure of the appointing power, and not a United States judge, holding “ during good behavior,” within the intent of the Constitution (Art. HI, § 1).
(2) The organic act establishing a judicial system for the Territory of Alaska, Act of May 17, 1884 (23 Stat. L., 2l), is peculiar because of the peculiar circumstances which existed; but so far as the power and jurisdiction of its court are concerned, does not differ materially from the organic acts of the other Territories.
The decision of the court below is affirmed on the same grounds, and the power of the President to remove Territorial judges is fully considered.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Harlan
delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court May 25, 1891.