had considered the appointment of Justice
Scholfield, of our own State, who was then a member of the Supreme
Court of Illinois, which never had an abler or better lawyer as a
member of its personnel. He would have been given the honor had
he signified a willingness to accept; but when he was approached
by Representative Townsend, at the suggestion of President Cleveland,
after considering the matter, he demurred, asserting that although
he would enjoy the distinction of being Chief Justice of the United
States, he did not think that life in Washington, and especially
the social side of the life which the Chief Justice of the United
States naturally is expected to lead, would suit either him or his
family. He had a family of growing children, who had been raised
in the country, and they would naturally have to accompany him to
Washington. He feared that Washington life would ruin them, so he
finally declined the appointment.

Judge Fuller had been a close friend of President Cleveland, had
been a member of the national convention that nominated him, was
recognized as one of the leading Democrats of Illinois, and had
been consulted by Mr. Cleveland in the distribution of the patronage
in that State; so naturally Judge Fuller was considered in connection
with the office. It was not surprising, considering that the Senate
was then in the control of the Republicans, that he would want to
enlist my aid in securing his confirmation.

I called on Mr. Cleveland about nine o'clock one morning in regard
to some personal matter. He at once sent out word for me to come
in, that he wanted to see me. I apologized for appearing at so
early an hour, whereupon he said that he was very glad that I had
come because he desired to have a talk with me. Then he inquired
whom I considered the best lawyer, belonging to his party, in
Illinois, who would make a good Chief Justice. He at once himself
mentioned Judge Fuller. I told him that Judge Gowdy was probably
the ablest Democratic lawyer in Illinois, but that he was a railroad
attorney, and it would probably not be a good thing to appoint him.
He next questioned me particularly about Fuller. I told him that
I knew Fuller very well indeed; that if I were called upon to name
five of the best lawyers of Illinois belonging to his party, I
would name Fuller among the five; that he was not only a good
lawyer, but a scholarly man, a gentleman who would grace the
position. He at once int