Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-24
TEE CHIEF JUsTICEsHIP.

We have no desire to be counted IN
among those newspapers that have taken
il upon themselves to advise the fresi-
dent in the performance of his constl'u-
,iopal dutv of nominating a Chief JUS
tice of the Supreme Court IN place OF
the lamented Salmon p Chase; not but
what we have choice in the matter !;
Int for the reason that we never quite
feel that our honored Chief Magistrate
is entirely grateful for all the gratuitous
advice he gets. Neither do we want to
appear too Indifferent to vital question
of this Importance that nearly every
journal in the country is earnestly dis
cussing. President Grant has usually
shown great discrimination in his ap-
pointments to the high offices within
his Gift, and we are perfectly willing
10 have him make such nomination as
TO him seems most conducive to the pub
Tic veal, and we shall expect that when
that duty is discharged that the same
foresight and judgment that heretofore
has characterized the administration
will secure an able, upright, and honest
officer for the head of our highest judi
cial tribunal.
This position of Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court is the most dignified, and
requires the best learning and capacity
of any in the nation the man who fills
it creditably must be man of fine men
tai organization, earnest convictions of
Justice, sound judgement, the most fin
ished culture, and thorough mental dis
cipline. He must have systematic and
technical knowledge of law and have
had his conceptions of men toned down
by a wide experience, and if he can
bring to his assistance the advantage OF
previous service on the bench, it will
be better. A man may get along with
legislative office or an executive pos
ition and pass we'll before the country
without the character or requirements
necessary to make good Judge, but the
man who fills this vacancy must be
equal to the position, or the whole nation
is disgraced. 1t should never be given
as reward for political service, indeed
we believe that the duties and labors of
an active politician, has a greater ten
dency to render man unfit for a jul
dicial office than anything else he can
do except betting at horse races or
wrestling matches.
There is no hurry about this appoint
ment being made. The Supreme Court
holds it's next session in December, at
the same time that in the natural order
of things the Senate will next be in ses-
sion to confirm this appointment, and
nothing will be lost if the President
takes four months longer to instruct his
judgement and consider the appoint
ment. A great many names have been
suggested in connection with this sub
iect, some Of them of men every way
qualified for the place and eligible to the
appointment, but one name Of all others
that would give satisfaction to the cOun-
try and be hailed by the bar and the
people as an appointment eminently fit
to be made, is that of Hon. Samuel f.
Miller, member of the Supreme Court,
and the brightest star in the judicial
armament. Gen. Grant was educated
as a soldier, and is partial to the military
rule of regular promotions, and Mr..
Justice Miller is in the direct line of pro-
motion, as well as being the best man
for the place in the whole nation.
The promotion of Judge Miller would
give the country assurance that so far as
the Supreme Court is concerned, we are
to have a government of laws and not of
men; his purity of character and ex-
halted abilities as jurist and his known
personal integrity and experience, would
give additional dignity to the tribunal
of which he would be the presiding Off
Ger, and the world would feel the merit
of the deserved honor bestowed on the
man, not as reward for political SER
vice, but as the selection of the best
public servant to fill an exalted station.
We are not DESTROYS of any hurry in the
filling this vacant place, but when it is
filled, we should delight to have the
name of Samuel r Miller considered