Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-06
THE CHIEF JUsTICEsHIP.

The coming man to fill the high seat of
Chase and fancy is George ID. Will
liens, the present Attorney General OF
the United States, and TIE successor Of
Akerman, a shrewd political lawyer
from Georgia, who never had and never
will have any national reputation out
side of this position, to which he was
advanced as a reward for his partisan
ship. But who is George d. Williams?
is a question which thousands OF aston
ished people have been asking ever
since President Grant rendered him the
appointment on the 30th ult. We must
confess that this was difficult question
to answer at first, but his biography has
at length been prepared and put before
the public. His parents moved from
Pittsfeld, Massachusetts,, to Columbia
county, New York, where the future
Attorney General and contingent Chief
Justice was born in the year 1920. He
is therefore about ffty-three years of
age. He removed to Iowa in 1874, and
commenced the practice of law. In
lS47 he was made a Judge of the First
District, and filed the office five years
In 1850 he married the daughter of
General V. P. Van Antwerp. In
1852 he was Pierce elector, and in
1853 Pierce appointed him Chief Justice
OF Oregon, and he held the position
under both Pierce and Buchanan. Du-
ring the war he had some connection
with the Union army, and in 1865 was
elected to the United States Senate from
Oregon, position he held for six years
or full term. He was member of the
High Joint Commission which met in
1871 to consider the Alabama claims.
When Alderman resigned Williams was
appointed to Eli his place as Attorney
General, which he has done until the
present time. On receiving the appoint
ment he was waited upon by several
gentlemen from the Pacific coast to ten
der their congratulations. In the con-
clusion Of his remarks on the occasion.
he said:
have the honor to be the first cabi
net officer taken from the Pacific coast.
California, Nevada, Oregon and the
Territories of the far West may now
consider themselves recognized and
represented in every branch of the gov
eminent. / feel pride in their growth
and development, and / shall not forget
in my new office where my home is or
what have learned OF their wants and
interests by a residence Of twenty-seven
years on the sunset side of the Missis-
sippi river / do not affect indifference
20 party matters because / have been
elected to office. / belong 10 the Re
publican party. / believe in its princi-
Piles and politics. | have a profound
conviction that its ascendancy, for some
time to come, is necessary TO the preser-
walton of peace and the enforcement o!
law, and subordinate to my official obi
cations. Everything that / can reason
ably and honorably shall do TO secure
its triumph az the next Presidential
election.
That he made his promise good in
regard to the Presidential election no
one will doubt after bis appointment to
the time-honored place Of Chief Justice.
Williams is merely a clever politician.
His wife is an elegant, artful woman, who
visits the White Rouse freely. aud has
a powerful influence Of the lobby order.
he is appointed upon personal grounds.
The Senate will not confirm him
nnanimously. There seems to be some
opposition. but it is believed that the
nomination will be ratified, aHd that the
favorits viii be rewarded for his eminent
serviess in the late Presidential cam
psiru. II Williams hs' ever rendered