to party, were sent to Washington. Copies of a few of these are given. The following is from Judge W. W. Graves, at the time a member of the Supreme Court of the State and afterwards its Chief Justice: STATE OF MISSOURI OFFICE CLERK SUPREME COURT JEFFERSON CITY Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, February 21, 1907. President, Dear Sir: Information is received here that Judge G. A. Finkelnburg, of St. Louis, will resign from the position of United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, and that the friends of Hon. David P. Dyer, present United States District Attorney, will ask of you to appoint him to that place. If so, I desire to join the many Missouri friends of Col. Dyer in that request. Col. Dyer is an able and successful lawyer, ripe in both years and experience, and, in addition thereto, a man of unquestioned integrity and character. His appointment would give great satisfaction to both the Bench and Bar of this State. Very respectfully, W. W. Graves. That from Judge A. M. Woodson, a member of the Supreme Court of Missouri, is as follows: STATE OF MISSOURI City of Jefferson, Feb. 22, 1907. To His Excellency: Col. D. P. Dyer of St. Louis is an applicant for appointment to the position of United States Circuit and District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. I desire to state I have known Col. Dyer for more than thirty years, and know him to be a gentleman of fine sense, sound judgment, broad experience and splendid attainments; he ranks among the strongest and best lawyers of the State. The able and efficient manner in which he has discharged the duties of the office of the United States District Attorney during the last eight or ten years is the best evidence of his great ability and qualification to discharge the important duties of that high office, and besides, he is a high-minded, honorable gentleman of the old school, whose honesty and integrity are above reproach and whose moral qualities have never been questioned. In my judgment he would discharge the duties of that office with distinguished ability, and with credit to himself and to his country. He is a Missourian of the manner born, and all such, regardless of politics, would rejoice and be greatly pleased to see him appointed. I am, sir, To President Roosevelt, Washington, D. C. Yours respectfully, A. W. Woodson. Below is a letter of the judges of the St. Louis Court of Appeals, to Senator Warner: STATE OF MISSOURI ST. LOUIS COURT OF APPEALS Hon. William Warner, Sir: February 20, 1907. Judge Gustavus A. Finkelnburg announces today, through the public press of this City, that he intends to resign the office of Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, in the near future, and the name of Col. D. P. Dyer, the present United States District Attorney, is mentioned as his probable successor. We are therefore moved to address you in his behalf, signifying our appreciation of the suggested appointment. Col. Dyer has been a highly respected and esteemed member of the bar of this court since its establishment in 1876, and of the bar of the State and Federal Courts in Missouri for probably forty years. During his long public career he has served in the State Legislature, National Congress, the office of the United States District Attorney, and many other important positions of public trust in each and all of which his service has been characterized in the very highest sense by fidelity to duty. He is an able lawyer and a just man, whose heart is great and kind, and is well fitted for the position of Judge of the District Court. We desire to say to the President, through you, that should the President decide upon elevating Col. Dyer to this important position, such action will meet with our hearty approval, and we are persuaded that the bench and bar of the State will not only indorse and approve of the appointment, but will feel deeply grateful as well to him for this splendid recognition of Col. Dyer's worth. We have the honor to be, C. C. Bland, Presiding Judge. R. L. Goode, Albert D. Nortoni. The following is from the then Governor of Missouri, Herbert S. Hadley, to Senator Warner: STATE OF MISSOURI CITY OF JEFFERSON February 21, 1907. Hon. William Warner, My dear Sir: I see by the papers that Judge Finkelnburg will tender his resignation as Judge of the District Court about the first of April, and that Colonel Dyer is mentioned as his successor. I hasten to express my opinion as to the complete fitness of Colonel Dyer for this appointment, and the evident satisfaction with which such a selection would be received by the Republicans and the people of Missouri. Colonel Dyer's long and distinguished career as a citizen and as a public man, his ability as a lawyer, his aggressive honesty and his natural sympathy with all that is right, and opposition to all that is wrong, makes him a man peculiarly qualified to discharge the duties of such a judicial position. In case you agree with me, as I feel confident you will, as to the advisability of this appointment, I should be glad to have you communicate to the President my opinion concerning it. With personal regards, I am, Very truly yours, Herbert S. Hadley. Honorable Joseph W. Folk, ex-Governor of the State, wrote to President Roosevelt as below: EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS STATE OF MISSOURI CITY OF JEFFERSON February 21, 1907. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I understand that Judge G. A. Finkelnburg is to resign as United States District Judge in the near future. If the name of Hon. D. P. Dyer, present District Attorney in St. Louis, is being considered at all in this connection, I take pleasure in saying that I believe he would give eminent satisfaction to the bar and the people of the State. He is a man of high character, unimpeachable honesty, and his long experience at the bar and in public life thoroughly qualify him for the place. Respectfully, Jos. W. Folk. The following are letters of congratulation from Justice Willis Van Devanter, then a Circuit Judge, |