The New York herald., 1873-12-08
GRANTS LAST CHOICE.
The Indignation OF the Press Over the
Nomination OF George II. Williams for
Chief JuSfsce-Gevere Crftictsm,.

The nomination OF Attorney General Williams for
for chief Justice calls forth criticism In the
press OF the country than any act OF the Pres-
dents since his second inaugural. The following
OF the later 'opinions" from both sides OF
the political division fence" the scandaous innu-
endoes TO the influences that 1t Is SAID led 10 the
nomination being passed over
The Philadelphia Press Crepubcan), after refer
ring TO the services OF Taney and Chase, and the
death OF the latter, remarks:-
George II. Williams took up the ermine or the
Ofice so full of RESPONSIBILITIES and h0nOrs. lie ~
an s,auaoas man. h ama soana H
has never been called great man, but he mas
always been a sale one.
The Milwaukee SeatiRe, lrepublican) says
When Grant was in the army everybody gave
him credit FOR selecting the right for the right
place. and il is possible his traditional sagacty mas
led him Alright IN this instance, but we have our
doubts about IL.
The Evansville CInd.) Courier says
Judicial positions in the United states at the
present time seem TO be gong a begging, ana
legal talent and judicial ability Is q lamentaoly
scarce commouity. Last nights kilograms bring
us the Intelligence that the President has nomi-
mated Geo. II. Williams to the Chief Justiceship OF
the Supreme Court, ana the individual on whose
shoulders the erninc OF the Judiciary which lell
the shoulders OF chief Justice Chase is to rest
The mante OF Marshall, fancy and the distlil-
gnlshed gentlemen VINO graced that exalted posi-
uon dragges in the dust, and SO lar as the most
from exclainling, "How have the mighty ialenp
Williams Is, without doubt, an obscure lawyer
possibly some mute, ingorions Mton-rather, we
might say recognizable only as one OF the White
House nunkeys, and Is about to reap the reward OF
the faithful servant in tnat connection.
The Mtl,caukee Netos independently says:-
President Grant has rare knack OF drawing
around him and pressing into the public service q
class or people who never previously earned
sliicent distinction II IN ANY any walk Walk 81 Of life, NE to be
bodies. II Is easily explicable on the theory that
like attracts like. H.. however, he has no compre
o. rah tn ehA nnfa
Justice OF the United states. he ought to know
enough OF our national history to know that the
Perhaps we ought to be thankful that the
President did not bestow the place in gratitude on
the savior OF his late SICK cot or the last donor Of an
In view OF the indifference, the ignorance, the
careessness and stupidity which distinguish the
Presidential appointments generally, 1t is no
worse.
The Pottsvine (Pa.) Standard says
The nomination Of George II. Williams as Chief
Justice OF the United States and its probable
rmation by the Senate is one OF the evil fruits
partisan politics are continually bearing. We have
no faith in the stories affecting the private charac
ter Mr.. Williams, out he Is unit for the position
to which the President has appointed him.
The Indianapolis Sentinel independently thinks
that
The Presidents new Chief Justice has not fallen
on bed OF roses. II rumor is to be credited the
opposition to his confirmation Is growing with
frightful rapidlty while the air is thick with dis
graceful stories concerning his private Lie.
The ST. Louis Republican independently, after
discussing Grants later appointments and CON-
pa1ng them with the statesmen OF previous ad
mlnistrations, asks
When before did we have such q Secretary OF
State as Fish, such secretary Of the Treasury as
Richardson such Secretary OF War as Belknap,
such Secretary OF the Navy as Borie or Robson,
such Attorney Generals Akerman and Williams?
Hardly q single one OF these constitutional advis
mediate neighbornood until the stroke OF Presiien
tial lightning Knocked him from obscurity into
prominence. Not one OF them, in any political
regime prior TO 1861, would ever have been even |
thought OF as suitable Cabinet ateria.
Evidently the President has learned nothing ana |
forgotten nothing, and proposes to continue as he
has begun. With sucn Cabinet, sucn foreign Min
isers aud such Chief Justice, he may confidently |
trust that history will lose sight OF his own feeble
ness in the chronic imbechty OF the large proper
tion OF those individuals who adorn his admins
trauon.
The Columbus Statesman (democratic) says
President Grant has again given a surprise to the
country in the appointment OF Attorney General
Williams as Chief Justice OF the United States. Mr..
Williams was the most unfit man OF any that were
urged for the position. AS o Senator he was weak
anu when the President made HIM Attorney Cen
eral surprise was manifested in ever quarter.
The New Orleans Herald ldemocratic) thus ex-
presses it's disapproval:-
In all his long ofreckless defiance OF public
opinion General Grant has perpetrated no act
nagranty audaclous than The appointment of At
United states A few servlle partisan Journals
may applaud this appointment, out the public can
many proofs which General Grant has gwen Of dis
tingushed incapacity and eminent unfltness for |
the duties and responsibilities Of his ro-
a man OF intellectual ability suficient
to enable him to compete ten IN DISTINCTION
and Chase, is yet to be discovered; but he has
already manifested that be is prepared to pros. |
tlrute whatever legal attanmcnts he may possess
to the service OF purely partisan purposes and |
that, in rendering opinions as The official legal !
adviser OF the President, he does not scrupe to |
N fQl Al fn fhn gffr-
preston OF material truths. That such man can |
be anything else on the Supreme Bench than
facile tool OF an ignorant and arrogant master,
and OF the corrupt purposes OF corrupt partisan
ring, is too much to hope.
The Bridgeport (CoDn.) Farmer (democratic)
thinks that N |
The nomination Of so inferior man and lawyer |
as Mr.. Williams for the position OF Chief Justice |
will be received with regret, II not surprise The
republican papers pay the nominee the lett |
handed compliment or saying that worse man |
might have been chosen. Ii Is humiliating evl- |
dence OF the decentralization and degeneracy OF the
times 70 see such man occupying, not filling, the
seat once adorned by the learning and abIllty OF
an Ellsworth. Marshall and Taney.
The Kansas City Times (democratic) says |
Az II disgusted and indignant at the unseemly
scramble lor the position the President took early |
occasion TO announce that he would not make the
appointment until Congress met, and iurther, tnas
partisan iee.ng would IN 10 way influence tac
avowas to appoint man OF judicial learn
ing and eminent worth, squarey contra
uiSaoiy r 80 W Souh rn pie1ses' n, ni. cases ,ne
over the shoulders OF an obscure politician and
pettiogging lawyer. This man, George ii. viii
llams by name, was once Senator a United states
States Senator, representing the state OF oregon.
In reward Tor devotion 10 Grantism III the Senate
Williams, shortly alter the expiration OF his term
IN tnat body, was made Attorney General OF tue
United States.
The New Orleans Pjcayune (democratlc), calls
Williams an ilberal partisan, and says
We have but little hope that the Senate will re-
liz
that the country knows that no civil service reform
can be expected from the republican party.
The Burlington uowa) Gazette (dcmocratcl
where Mr.. Williams resided, alter declaring
that soon after Mr.. Chase's death IL prophcsied
this appointment, because "Mr. Williams has
always been very ambitious man, ready to do
the bidding OF men In power In order TO elevate