The sun., 1873-12-18
VILLA W Y.
sienihcan nj silence of the senators A subject
of II idicule by the BRr-1he Financial -uc-
cess OF ~ IIteh Commissioner.

cess Of u Iiieh Commit MISSIONER.
Correspondence of Tie sun.
WAsIiING NGrov, Dec. 16.-The statement
sent out from here that the Judiciary Commit
tee Of the Senate had recommended the connr-
nation Of Williams "a chief Justice g. simply
untrue. They reported It back without any re-
commcudation at ALL thus leaving the Senate tp
act upon its own Judgment. This course is quite
unusual. and the silence IL most significant con-
siderng tho political compile xion of the commit
tee, consisting as II does of five pronounced Re
pub.icans and two Democrats.
n this appointment had been even moderately
NJ to be made, partisan and personal Influences
would at once have had IL approved But the
universal conviction is that William. is wholly
unqualified for such a station. as he has shown
himself notorously incompetent for the place
which he now occupies, even with all the aid that
he has been able to procure at the public cx-
pense, by enlisting outside professional skill and
passing It oG ~ his own work.
The discredtahlc ngure which he recently cut
In the Credit Mobilier suits at Hartford is well
known to the profession, and has been the sub
iect Of rldicule bythc bar OF Boston, Hartford,
and New York. when u. Il. Curtis, Sidney Bart
lett, William ". Evarts, aud others appeared in
opposition they expected at least to encounter
ability on the side of the Government They
went away without being proud OF the easy
laurcIs they had won.
But the manner in which this appointment
WIS brought about has excited most comment
II isa subject of scandal in All circles and Of a
kind that does not admit Of free discussion I'm
public. Everybody believes the worst, and the
relsons Tor that belief are abundant and well
founded.
Three years ago Williams anl his wife occl-
pied narrow quarters in the third story II the
National Hotel. They were known to he poor
aud dependent ON his salary as Senator and such
lobby fees a he could pick up before the depart
ments and In Congress. Their social position
was inferior, IA II is now, except among the
shoddyites.
In the spring of 1871. lust before the expiration
OF his term and the close of his insignificant
career. he was made one Of the High Comnis-
sion. mostly to give him a place. From That
time dates the mysterious change I'm his Imam
cial condition. II that can he called mysterious
which /. an open secret That his of 'ial opiu-
ions affecting various interests were mercenary
Is narallv credited. because there IL no conf
dcu,c in ms integrity as public officer or as Il
man.
Since tho close Of the Hi-h Commission hts
wife purchased a square Of ground from W. ;.
Cox Of Georgetown for s6j,O1, aud another lot
adjoining at a relatively larger rate. Upon that
ground hne residence has been recently erect
ed, which with the dashy furniture Is estimated
10 have cost $500 or $4,000 other property is
known to have been also acquired 10y Madame,
in whose name alone an these transactions ap-
pear On record.
Durius these two years they have lived IN pre-
tcutiuus style. entertained with vulgar pomp,
and expended far more than the salary Of the
Attorney General. Now, the question Is, Where
ala an this money come fromt Neither of these
parties has received legacy, or hesn engaged IN
any legitimate pursuit from WI y 'ortunc was
TO be derived. The public will draw its own
conclusions and perhaps the knowledge that
ladies" have become the most efficient lobby
lists at Washington, and often serve az inter
medurir- for procuring legislation and decisions
in the departments, may perhaps enli-htcn the
popular judgment in regard to the ways that ar,
dark.
The supreme Court az a body feels the humili
alton which the President has put upon It In 80
lecting tainted incompetent to preside oye
that li-h tribunal. The three previous appoint
ments made 10y Gen. Grant fail'd To- attract 80
proyal ia the country. Mr.Justice strong al,
Mr.. Justice bradley were chosen TO reverse th,
le-al-touicr decision. Mr. Justice lluut 4
gentleman of deuor. men-, hut las brought "a,
strcn-.A Co.. the Court IN a Judicial sense. Per
-oualn hcis respectable, but profc sioualiy ice .
FIR from being strong. lie deserves impc1ch
"a. 10 or denying jury trial in tho Author'
case. u is fllt that the Count las been too muc
watcrad, as tnoy say IN the stock market.