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Associate Justice Morris writes President Roosevelt upon the resignation of Chief Justice Richard H. Alvey. Morris and Associate Justice Seth Shepard have determined the business of the D.C. Court of Appeals must cease until the appointment of a new Chief Justice, reestablishing a quorum for decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-15
James Albert Gary urges Secretary of Agriculture Wilson to recommend Judge Henry Stockbridge for Chief Justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. Gray also writes that Senator Louis E. McComas should not receive consideration for the appointment as he has served the state of Maryland very poorly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-12
President Roosevelt informs Senator McComas he plans to promote Judge Seth Shepard to Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia since Chief Justice Richard H. Alvey has resigned. Roosevelt will appoint Charles Holland Duell to take Shepard’s place. Roosevelt plans to appoint McComas to replace Judge M. F. Morris when Morris resigns soon; however, many members of the bar in the District of Columbia are protesting McComas’s appointment. Roosevelt informs McComas he needs to have “substantial backing” from excellent lawyers in the District of Columbia to be able to appoint McComas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-15
There is some uncertainty over the possible retirement of Associate Justice M. F. Morris on the District Court of Appeals. Although Attorney General William H. Moody has announced that ex-Senator Louis E. McComas would be appointed as Morris’s successor, Morris has declared that he is not yet ready to retire. The confusion comes from a letter sent previously, and from Morris’s previous illnesses, which have resulted in the anticipation of his imminent retirement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-21
Although it is commonly known that President Roosevelt intends ex-Senator Louis E. McComas to succeed M. F. Morris on the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, this announcement has caused consternation from Morris, who does not intend to retire yet. Attorney General William H. Moody made the announcement based on the idea that Morris had written Roosevelt a letter stating his intention to retire, but Morris asserts that he had not written any such letter, and has not given any indication that he will retire.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-19
![A startling [rumor] about postmastership](https://theodorerooseveltcenter.s3.amazonaws.com/TRC/LC/thumbnails/051/0300/Crop51-0300/0378a.jpg)
This newspaper article discusses the rumor surrounding President Roosevelt’s appointment of the Baltimore, Maryland, postmaster. It is believed that the Maryland delegation have not agreed on a recommendation, and that Roosevelt intends to make his own choice if they cannot come to an agreement. If so, the rumor suggests that Roosevelt might appoint a nonpartisan Democrat. Another article, which discusses Maryland Senator Louis E. McComas’s next position, follows. It suggests that McComas will replace Chief Justice Charles C. Nott of the Court of Claims after McComas’s term in the Senate expires because Senator Francis Marion Cockrell of Missouri chose a position on the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12