The New York herald., 1873-12-02
THE CHIEF JUSTICESHIP.

Sketch Of the Hon. George H. Williams,
Attorney General OF the United States,
Who Has Been rendered the ONCE.
At a meeting of the Cabinet in Washington yes
terday President Grant rendered the appointment
to the Chief Justicesp OF the United States to the
Hon. George ii. Williams, the present Attorney
General. Mr.. Williams thanked che President and
accepted the ONCE. The appointment will be sent
to the Senate for confirmation to-day.
SKETCH OF ATTORNEY GENERAL GEORGE II. WILL
LIAMs.
George II. Williams, Attorney General OF the
United States, who has received the Presidential
appointment TO the office OF Chief Justice, is q
native OF Columbia county, New York, and was
born about the year 1920 his parents having re-
moved this State from Pittseld, Mass, situated
the border line. In 1874 he went to Iowa, where
he commenced the practice OF his chosen profess
sion, the law. In this he made rapid advance
ment and early attained an eminent position,
being made Judge IN ls47. This respon-
1853 he was appointed CHER Justice OF
Oregon and exercised the function OF that posi-
on gadea tne ne % M efSe ana
signing he was elected to the Senate OF the United
States by the Oregon Legislature, and took his
part as a member Of the High Joint Commission
which convened for the consideration OF the Ala
ment to the Attorney Which was
made vacant by the resignation OF Mr.. Acker-
man. met with verv general acceptance, as he Is
gentleman superior native talent and fine culture,
and in his career as Judge and statesman has
exhibited sound discretion and stanch integrity.
In saS on Iowa becoming n "a state o. the Union he
First judicial district. He served out his term OF
five years as Judge, until 1851, having within that
time made reputation judicial ability achieved
by very few men at the age OF 2s In 1850 he mar
ried the eldest daughter OF General " p Van Ant
werp. In 1852 he was one OF the candidates for
Presidential democratic
thoroughly canvassed the State. adding largely to
his reputation as one Of her most ready and
able debaters. BY many indeed he was, at the
close OF that campaign, assigned the first rank
among all OF her public speakers. In 1858 Judge
Williams was appointed by the President Chief
Justice of Oregon, and, accompanied by his vile,
at once emigrated to that then comparatively new
In July sd ne mss with the MsO
oi the circuit Court for the circu. IN incucins n
in Iowa politics and courts, called the "Hafbreed
Tract.u He ran democrat, but the settlers on
this tract having the balance OF power gave him
their vote and elected MIN in the hope that he
would decide their titles to the land good; but
they were disappointed.
correspondent, writing OF Judge Williams in
1868, said Judge Williams Is tall and angular,
some, very fine looking. ] do not think hlm
remarkable Tor hts individuality or immo-
bility, but he has plenty of what we call
He is clever IN both the English and and
American sense OF that much used and abused
word. can adapt himself TO circumstances and
please in the mahogany FURNISHED parl0r or the
puncneon-hoored cabin; Is generous ard unsus-
picious. and does not long cherish Ill will towards
any one, or love to treasure up wrong Per-
sonally he IS popular with the people, and nis
election s very generally satisfactory, or cheerluly
acquiesced in. Mr. Williams enjoys a laugh, and
is apt to laugh with the world, let the world laugh
at what 1t may; and with him, anything that can
be successfully ridiculed can hardly be right.
Though earnest he Is not destructive and Will
help to build up rather than tear down.
He Is q good popular speaker, clear and distinct
In his ideas, always iorcibe, often eloquent, and
sometimes rises into the region OF imagina-
tion, and adorns his speech with pure poetic gems
Some men have their motives OF action noted in
but Judge Williams is a man OF to-day, and draws
his inspiration from the associations and events OF
the present. Mentally, aud ! may say physically,
he is In the prime oil life, has great capacity Tor
work and business, and with the wide and varied
scope that the senate will give him to crafty his
ambition and earn distinction, will make his marx
and reflect credit upon his state and country
DECLARATION OF POLITICAL PRINCIPLE.
few days alter Judge Williams appointment
gentlemen from the Pacific coast called upon him
and rendered their congratulations. In response
the new Attorney General spoke In the Following
off-hand manner
GESrLExES-Allow me TO make my ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
for the Kindness Just made and to that
cc highly compmented by your presence this even
ing perceive that most OF yon reside upon tue facnc
intend TO signify your satisfaction that ono OF
your citizens has been called 10 a. place in
President GRANTS Cabinet accept the position
with uihdenee, bnt to the best Of my abilities shall