Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-11
HE RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1878.
THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE.

From the brief sketch of George II.
Williams, the newly nominated Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, that we published yester-
,lay morning, it will be seen that he is
not so wholly unknown to the country,
IS some of our Democratic cOntempora-
ries would have us believe; neither is he
tbc dull ignoramus that some of them
oaint him: but when we have admitted
that he has filled many places of honor
and trust, in the judicial service of two
States. been twice elected to the upper
house of the National Legislature, and
was from there promoted to the post of
chief law officer of the administration,
and was an improvement on his imme-
date predecessor in that Office, Amos I.
Akerman, we have fallen far short of
finding the best material for life APP
pointment to the highest judicial office
In the nation. President Grant has way
of surprising the country with his ap-
pontments, that is refreshing. and VIC
may also say, is usually in better accord
with the public temper and gives better
promise Of public usefulness than this
new nomination of a Chief Justice.
When we think over the long list of
names that have been suggested for the
place during the months that the presi-
dent has had the subject under advise
ment, and see that such men as VIM. M.
Eyarts, Caleb Gushing, Samuel Miller,
Judge Curtis, Judge Drummond, Ros-
roe Conklin, and host of others, have
been set aside, and George H. Williams
nominated, we are at loss TO find a rea-
son for the great want of appreciation OF
the people, in failing to see who was the
righl man earlier, and this, too, coming
so soon after the Department of Justice
had signally failed in the Credit Mobilier
suits, carries to the mind a conviction
that the president had seen some ele-
ment of fitness in his cabinet minister
that other men have failed to observe.
As a member of the court, Williams
might be a credit, but as Chief Justice,
we think the president should have gone
further. and selected a man better fitted
in ability, education and training for the
place.
1t has been suggested that this ap-
pointment was given to Williams on &C
count of his pure life, and spotless NOR
al character. These attributes are very
worthy, and should be rewarded where
ever found, but alone they do not quail
fly a man for great intellectual achieve
ments, nor form the only requirement o.
good judge. We understand tha
Judge Williams is an exemplary, Chris
tisn man, and has never been suspected
during his long public life, of dishonesty
or corruption, and he is worthy of higl
praise for that, and added to that, he ha
probably sufficient ability for Presiden
of the United States, and we would hav
been glad if the people had taken hin
up and rewarded his integrity and purit,
of life by electing him President, or pu
him in a high executive office; but as al
expounder of constitutional law, and al
interpreter of the treaties and statute
passed in accordance with the constitu
ton, we fear the man is not big enougl
for the place, and we regret this attemp
on the part of the President to surpris
his people.
1t has long been custom of the Unit
ed States Senate, when member or ez
member of their own body is nominal
ed for Office, to coAhrm at once withou
reference to committee; but thi
nomination struck the Senate as so muc
out of place that the nomination wa
laid upon the table to be referred. 1t
understood, however, that when the RI
port of the committee is IN, IN
nomination will be confirmed, an
this healthy, Oregon iurist now Mt
years old, will for the balance of his lii
occupy the high place where the brigt
intellects and discriminating judgmer
of Jay, Marshall, Taney and Chas'
have honored the country and the OF
fee Well the thing is done, and whs
little consolation there is in the refiet
ton that the President might have gor
further and Jared worse, we must che
ish with resignation. The Chief Justit
is a very pure man, and is healthy, an
when there are so many mean men
poor health that might with equal pr
priety have been nominated, we suppo'
we ought to be satisfied. We trust Il
people will be resigned.