Ex-Justice applauds nomination

DUMMERSTON, Vt. – Retired Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said Tuesday that he was “delighted” with President Reagan’s nomination of Arizona Appeals Court Judge Sandra O’Connor to succeed him. “She is not only good, she is very, very good,” said Stewart, who officially stepped down Friday after nearly 23 years as a justice. Stewart, traveling through Vermont on his way to his vacation home near Franconia, N.H., said he heard of the appointment on his car radio. Upon arriving at his daughter’s home in Dummerston, Stewart said, he got a call from the White House and “I told the President I was pleased with his choice.” Reagan had tried to reach Stewart before the official announcement was made, said Elliot Gerson, one of Stewart’s law clerks. The White House switchboard placed calls to the Connecticut house where Stewart spent Monday night, to his daughter’s house and to his son’s law office in Brattleboro. Stewart called Mrs. O’Connor “a very well qualified person, a fme choice,” and said he is not surprised that a woman had been chosen to succeed him.