The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-29
More Expression from the Bench
and Bar on the Subject Of the
Appointment Of a
Chief Justice.
WHO IS THE COMING MAN 2
Evarts, Bradley, Conkling, O'Conor
and Waite Canvassed.
The People Approaching the Majesty Of the
Highest Judicial Seat.
Interviews with Leading
Judges and Lawyers.

Interviews with Leading
Judges and Lawyers.
Below we give several very interesting inter-
views with eminent members OF the Bench and
Bar on the grave and important question Of the
successorshp to the chair lately occupied by the
lamented Chief Justice Chase. The ideas that
have nown quite freely from learned minds, when
questioned by the reporter, will DO found to
be very clearly and forcibly expressed, and to
convey most unanimous picture OF the sort OF
man, In reputation, character and attainmenrs
that would best suit the c0untry-whose sentiment
in this respect Ia best represented by leading law
yers and magstrates-as holding the highest place
In the national judiciary, and most honOred, per-
haps, In the whole government OF the United
States.
Chancellor Runyan, OF New Jersey.
HERALD reporter lately called upon Hon. Theo-
dore Runyan, the Chancellor Of the State Of New
Jersey, to talk with him in reference to the vacant
Chief Justiceship. He found the chief exponent OF
New Jersey law and equity his judicial chambers,
at his residence in Newark handsome rOomy new
house in High street, quite remote from the busi-
ness portion Of that busting manufacturing city,
on an eminence commanding fine view OF the
city and New York in the distance. Chancellor
Runyan was seated in large first moor room, fitted
up as a library, shelved on all sides with
cases well filed by large volumes bound In
yellow leather. On his working table lay
few books OF reference and several
bundles OF legal looking manuscript documents,
one Of which he was examining when the reporter
entered and was most c0urteOusy welcomed by
genal-looking gentleman, apparently about forty
years Of age, who at once expressed his willing.
to discuss the subject suggested In so far as
the proprieties Of his official position permitted.
In stature the Chancellor is slightly below the
medium Of Americans He Is squarely built, just q
tribe verging toward corpulency. His massive
head is thickly covered by heavy growth Of dark
brown hair. A long, light-colored mustache Is all
the beard which is unreaped His eye has merry
twinkle, which taes with the amiable smile which
lighted up mis- face as he listened to the reporters
statement Of his errand. Altogether he gives the
impression OF one who likes to look more upon
LIES sunshine than its gloom, and Is willing 10
see all the virtue in human nature and over
look as much as possible Its vice. That he
quoted Dickens ''Pickwick" aud did not quote
1 to Ss g s
distinctions Oflegal literature he roams with zest
in the realms OF humor and Is as quick to see the
point of joke as the scope or statute He was
dressed In a plain black suit, scrupulously neat
and complete, as tar removed from foppishness as
tune Evidently he was at work, fully equipped
and ready to receive any OF New JERSEYS citizens
his Chancellor. He seemed jurist who respects
himself while he honors worthy constituency.
Asking the HERALD man to be seated, the Chan
cellor explained that his Judicial position pre-
Guided him IRON expressing opinions as to the
character and qualifications OF the various gentle
ton with the Chief Justiceship Neither could he
assert the possession Of any SPECIFIC information
as to VINO IS likely to be the choice OF President
mi q
among the members OF the New Jersey Bar, and
whenever 1t has been SO very general and de-
delay in the appointments may end by the selec-
ton of Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, OF our own State
and city, one OF the associate Justices Of the
United States Supreme Court. He had long been
prominent lawyer here, in large practice, when he
was called to the place he now holds the first office,
believe, ne ever held Tor, though a decided re-
publican in politics and once candidate of his
party for Congress- he had never sought office. He
Judgment and unusual legal requirements to ft
him for the satisfactory discharge OF the important
GTes Of the and ne ne ma mas In way
Judge he certainly has few superOrs in the Union.
Indeed, II the judgment OF New Jersey lawyers was
equals. His admirable qualities Of mind are con-
joined with physical conditions most desirable.
He IS in both respects vigorous and healthy, and
promises for many years to continue So as, though
he has long been among our foremost lawyers, he
is not to be reckoned among the Old men OF the
profession He Is brother-ln-law OF United States
Circuit Judge Woodruff of your city, who also has
been named in connection with this appointment.
Several OF Judge Bradey's associates on the
United States Supreme Court bench are much his
seniors, both in age and 0iice and ALL OF course,
have aspirations for promotion. For many years
the Chief Justceship has been awarded 40 EXTRA no
United States Supreme Court Justice having been
advanced to that station, and that has, TO some
extent, been considered rule OF Executive prac-
tice. l think IN one instance only, long ago, a
Justice was nominated to be Chief Justice, but de-
clined.
II President Grant should compliment Judge
Bradley by naming him to succeed Chief Justice
Chase he will. without shade OF doubt, sec IRE to
the nation most admirable first judicial oiricer
and very much crafty the Bar and the people OF
New Jersey
A. Oakley Hail.