"I happened to be at the White House one day, and Mr.Cleveland said to me, 'I wish you would take up Lamar's nomination and dispose of it.

I am between hay and grass with reference to the Interior Department.

Nothing is being done there; I ought to have some one on duty, and I cannot do anything until you dispose of Lamar.'" Mr.Lamar, who had entered the Cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, was nominated for associate justice of the Supreme Court on December 6, 1887.

He had been an eminent member of the Senate, with previous distinguished service in the House, so that the Senate must have had abundant knowledge of his character and attainments.

It is impossible to assign the delay that ensued to reasonable need of time for inquiry as to his qualifications, but Senator Cullom relates that "the nomination pended before the Judiciary Committee for a long time." Soon after the personal appeal, which was made by the President to every Senator he could reach, action was finally taken and the appointment was confirmed January 16, 1888.
Senator Cullom's reminiscences also throw light upon the process by which judges are appointed.