The Judge Nobody Saw Coming
Governor McGraw stuns Olympia's legal establishment by appointing T. M. Reed Jr. to the Thurston County bench—just before a bar committee can protest.
Olympia, March 30.—Special.—Gov. McGraw has appointed T. M. Reed, Jr., as superior judge of Thurston County, for the place made vacant by the promotion of Judge Gordon to the supreme bench.
The appointment of Reed was a complete surprise to every one here, as there were a number of members of the Thurston County bar looked upon as probabilities, while the name of Reed had never been generally considered in connection with the position. The first intimation of the intention of the governor to make this appointment called the members of the bar association together, and a resolution was passed protesting against the appointment of any one not an active practitioner at this bar. After considerable discussion of the matter a committee was appointed to bear the resolution to the executive, but before the messengers reached the governor's office the appointment was formally announced.
“The appointment of Reed was a complete surprise to every one here.”
Judicial appointments remain fights over qualifications, patronage and who gets consulted. In 1895 the Olympia bar's objection—that Reed was not an active practitioner—was overtaken by the governor's announcement before its committee could even reach his office.
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