The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-29
Conkling, Morton, Charles P. DAILY,
Howe, HOar and Holt.
CHIEF JUSTICE DALy's cANODA1URE.
What a Distinguished Gentleman Says of
His Qualifications for the
nlustrious Office.
Down with MonoPolies!-
UP with the People!

Up WIN the HOOpl0I
WEsrPoRT. Conn.,, August Is, 1879
II the readers OF the HERALD are not tired OF
reading about the delights and drawbacks OF sum-
mer retreats must confess TO considerable fatigue
In writing about them. After an easy-going Jour-
ney through Long Island, thence across the Sound
and along the Connecticut shore, have retired to
o pleasant farm to spend the few remaining days
Of my 1873 vacation and to ponder on what haye
seen and heard. l propose, therefore, to sketch
briefly the political tone OF those portions OF the
country have visited rather than to dwell on the
picturesque scenery and impediments to travel.
In the country more than in the city
men are won't to give an airing to
their political convictions and discuss in
rational language the great public questions Of the
hour. Let 1t be on the balcony Of hotel Oyster
Bay, with agood cigar and glass OF milk punch, or
during the few moments Of life that may be vouch.
safed to the traveller on the Long Island Railway
or In watching the rolling surf of the Atlantic
Ocean as 1t washes the southern shore OF Suffolk
county. on board q steamboat, or in riding over
the undulating country OF Fairfield county in this
State. the sober. serious thought Of the country
appears, IL you will lend your ears ana be silent
that you may hear. Each town or situation develops
SOME NEW QUESTION,
and suggests to your conapd0nox de voVdge the
argument and discussion which ultimately form
that overpowering force known as 'public
OPINION" have often thought that the writer,
sitting quietly at his newspaper desk in New York
debating mperious sentences on prevailing topics.
hnds, after brief stay in the country that he Is
not 80 much Of pen and Ink despot after all.
True enough, he often initiates, but he does not
always accomplish the task OF convincing those to
whom he addresses his commentaries. Americans
decide for themselves, and it is better that they
should. Let me, therefore, relate some Of the
salient speeches OF men distinguished and other
wise-rcnections, too, which leaven the thought Of
the country and, may Say, in form or another,
control Its destnies At oyster Bay found
AN OLD TINE POLITICIAN,
who was shrewd In his observations concerning
men and topics, and we discussed "C9sarism."
Hc did not believe that the country was In any i'm
mediate danger from Executive ambition or en-
croachments. In fact, this Is about the feeling
everywhere have been. It is conceded all
sides that the discussion originated by the HERALD
has been timely, and that the articles have been
written with matchless ability, fairness and discre
ton. The older politicians, may say the con-
sentative statesmen. were little astonished when
the HERALD first began to publish editorials on
this topic. Some said It was an advertis.
ing dodge, clever piece Of mosaic work
to fiji up the journalistic vacuum during
the summer months Bitter opponents OF the al.
ministration were delighted, and the immediate
personal and political friends OF President Grant
we're annoyed, but afterwards pleased, when wire
puliers like Cameron and audacious trlckste like
Butler declared that Grant should be President as
long as the people pleased 70 elect him. But the
average, sober sense OF the thinking man in the
country is this that Grant Is toe patriotic to at
tempt to assume powers not guaranteed by the
t. 49,
too loyal to the political traditions OF the Union to
permit himself to be nominated for a third term.
The old politician to whom have referred thought
that the effect Of the HERALDs articles had been
TO arouse the constitutional mind Of the country to
THE NECESSITY
OF inserting in the constitution itself clause de-
dining the limit OF time which should govern the
occupancy OF the Presidential Office during the
administration OF any future Presidents. 1t Is ex-
pected that this movement will take shape early
the coming session OF Congress, and that 1t will
originate with President Grants personal and
political friends
Among the topics which have heard discussed
with great soberness is the question, "Who is to
be the next Chief Justice OF the United States ~
and it is in the discussion OF this important gues.
ton that detect the real value OF random express
sions OF opinions among men who are not only
readers but thinkers.
PARTY LINES HAVE DISAPPEARED
I may say entirely, for when you come to ask
apN)cist or even the wel-todo, earnest farmer,
what he thinks about this matter, his first answer
Is, president Grant should not appoint politician
to that ONCE" have heard the claims and quail
hcations OF all the distinguished gentlemen named
Is candidates for
THE CHIEF JrsTIcEsHIP
pretty thoroughly canvassed, and the result is so
dinerent from what find In the New YORK papers
shat will briefly state 1t, and the reader should
remember that give the feelings OF men as evolved
from their heart OF hearts, and not the political
preferences OF those still irredeemaby attached 10
party passions OF the past. Senator Roscoe Conk.
ling, the average thinker says is too young and
too impetuous to sit on the bench in the grave
chair OF the Chief Justice. He is conceded to be
bold, skilful statesman rather OF the Dix order
above the cant OF Butler and far removed from the
political profanites Of Cameron. His friends look
with no approving smile at his elevation to the
Chief Justiceship. They say he belongs where he
ID; that be gives tone and polish to our rude pot.
teal life and that he Is not fitted by experience
undertake the careful and deliberate duties Of the
Judge do not think, therefore, that the appoint.
ment of Senator Conklng would be wise one, nor
would It be received with satisfaction by the coun.
try. The name OF
WILLIAM n. EvARTs
have seldom heard talked about. 1t is generally
believed that his private fortune is not large
enough TO Justify him in accepting the once, as he
would be required to abandon large and lucrative
practice. A lawyer OF nne talents told me that
Mr.. Evarts had not mind entirely juiicial That
be has fair one NOBODY dares TO doubt; but the
training so necessary on the bench he has had no
opportunity to acquire. ! think bis nomination,
while 1t would be popular, would not realize
the expectations Of the bench, oar and public.
The names Of Senators Howe, Edmunds and
Morton and OF Judges nosr and Holt have seldom
heard commended, because each and ell represent