1. The tradition that the President should take care in filling a high-level federal post (such as a judgeship) with a person agreeable to the senators from the nominee’s home state, lest the senators defeat confirmation. [Cases: Judges
3. C.J.S. Judges §§ 12–14.]
“The risk of a deadlock is minimized by [the President’s] consulting informally with the Senators from the State in which the office lies, if they are members of his own political party. Actually this amounts in most instances to his taking the advice of these two Senators as to a selection. A nomination approved by them is practically certain of final confirmation by the Senate as a whole. The arrangement is a ‘log-rolling’ one, which has been dignified by the name of ‘Senatorial courtesy.’ ‘If you will help me to get the appointments I want in my State, I will help you get the appointments you want in your State.’ ” Herbert W. Horwill, The Usages of the American Constitution 129 (1925).
2. Loosely, civility among senators (a decline of senatorial courtesy).
