How O’Connor was selected

WASHING TON – Her name came up in “chit chat” a month ago but it was only after an int~rview in the Oval Office that President Reagan decided Sandra O’Connor was his choice for a vacancy on the Supreme Court, White House officials said yesterday. The process that led to the historic decision to name the first woman to the high court was affected by many factors, including the assassination attempt against the president. Also figuring in was Reagan’s campaign promise to name a woman to the high tribunal at one of his first opportunities, although aides insist the president was looking for – and fuund – the best qualified person to fill the vacancy. Since Reagan’s announ cement . that be will send O’Connor’s name to the Senate for confirmation, a picture has emerged of how the administration reacted to Justice Potter Stewart’s declaration that he would retire. The president made the final deci- sion Monday afternoon, culminating a process that began late in March, when Stewart informed Attorney General William French Smith that he planned to resign his seat on the bench at the end of the term. Smith told reporters yesterday that he began considering possible replacements the moment Stewart, 66, mentioned his plans. But he said be held off informing the president of the impending court vacancy because “we had a shooting problem” – the March 30 attempt on Reagan’s life.