ALS signed “George Shiras, Jr.,” one page, 7.75 x 4.75, July 28, 1892. Handwritten letter to the Hon. Edward M. Paxson, thanking Paxson for his congratulations on his appointment to the Supreme Court and explaining [unconvincingly] that he was surprised that he, and not Paxson, got the nomination. In part: “Your kind letter of congratulations has been forwarded to me here… The pleasure and good wishes expressed by my friends are the best part of this appointment for I have a disheartening sense of the labor and responsibility involved. It came to me somewhat unexpectedly before Judge Bradley’s death. My thoughts and those of most of the Pittsburgh Bar turned naturally to you as his successor, and it was not until an intimation was received from the President that he deemed your age to be an invincible obstacle that I took or felt any personal concern in the subject. Until within a short time I had been led to anticipate the selection of another. With much esteem I am very truly your friend." In fine condition.
This letter was written eight days after Shiras was appointed to the Court by President Benjamin Harrison and two days after he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Likely Paxson, the then Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, read this letter with some skepticism and bitterness. Paxson was a leading contender for the vacancy and was backed by most leading members of the Pennsylvania Bar. Shiras, a Pittsburgh attorney, had never judged a case prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court. His appointment came through the influence of his cousin, James G. Blaine, who had recently stepped down as U.S. Secretary of State. The President, perhaps as a parting favor to Blaine, granted the request. Paxson was only 8 years older than Shiras. Thus, the problem of his age may have been a face-saving rationale for all parties involved.
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