The New York herald., 1873-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS new Chief JUSTICE.
And What the Press Thinks OF the Nomf-
nation,

And What the Press Thinks OF the Nomi-
nation.
The nomination OF Attorney General Williams
for Chief Justice OF the United States does not
seem to meet with the enthusiasm that His Ex-
ceuency anticipated, n the press OF the country be
an index OF public sentiment
The New Haven Register says
It would he good thing II the United States
Senate could now and then put the ''brakes" on
seme OF the Presidents nominations TO important
places; for instance, that OF Williams OF oregon,
as Chief Justlce-a man dull or intellect, rallr0ad
lawyer, and third-rate politician. ~
The Syracuse Journal lsays:-----y-yyatss
Mr. Williams Il not 4 brilliant man, but he is of
strong mental 0fganjzasion and of hardy physical
CONSTITUTION constitution He has had a long and active ex-
sesses thoroughly judicial mind. There are jus
uces now upon the Supreme Bench who are In
some RESPECTS hls sUperiors, but none who snrpass
nllA " cledrnSss and vigor OF mind, or in the eS
sentlal respect OF integrity
The Buffalo Courier thus discourses:-
The Bar and people know but little OF Mr.. Will
lams, and certainly had failed TO recognize in him
the qualities adapted TO adorn the most dignlhed
post In the nation and the highest judicial office,
perhaps. IN the world But the ways OF President
Grant In the appointment OF officials are past tnd
ing out.
The Washington star thinks that
The designation by the President OF Attorney
General Williams to the Supreme Bench will, from
al Indications, be well received by the country.
There need be no fear that Chief Justice he will
assist IN unsettling the work OF reconstruction.
The Worcester [Mass) Gazette says:-
The appointment OF Attorney General Williams
to the vacant seat Of the late Chief Justice Chase
causes general surprise, because so many better
known men have been passed over. II Is not re-
garded as bad choice, however, tor Judge Will
liams is not without qualifications for the office.
I The Pittsburg Gazette, speaking OF the appoint
ment, says
This will probably take the country by surprise,
and may be debated somewhat eXtendedly, there
n
position. He has filed the position OF Attorney
General creditably. which affords fair presump
tion OF ability but 1t Is one thing to be able as
lawyer, ano another to be possessed OF the judi
cial qualities necessary in so exalted station.
While ne may not make so brilliant reputation as
did Chase, we do not doubt tnat he VIII creditably
| I'LL the position to which he is nominated.
The Hartford Ecerai1g Post thus expresses its dis
| appointment.
nMr. George II. Williams-that is his full name,
for we have 1t lohked up the books certain TO
be the Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court, perhaps
"tne least said the soonest mended." But IL is not
| to be denied that the appointment is surprise
and not at all what we had been led TO expect. 1t
| was given out in the name OF the President that
| the name sent to the Senate for the highest Judi
| cial position In the country would be one that
would strike the public BY ITS eminent fitness IN
every respect Mr.. Conklng is a man
OF great natural ability, and nobouy doubts that If
he wouidconsent to devote himself to the duties Of
the Bencn he mould ultimately make one OF the
abest judges we have ever had. Mr.. Williams, on
| the other hand, has been good deal OF polit-
clan, no great shakes as lawyer, and has never
been suspected OF 1.-THE OF the ability
| displayed by the New York Senator In every posi-
tion in which he has been placed. without say
ing more. We feel confident that the rejection OF
| this nomination would earn for the Senate the
| gratitude OF the country
The Hartford Times is severe:-
The appointment OF such person as G. II. Will
liams, or Oregon, Mr.. Grants Attorney General, 10
the Chief Justices place Is little less than
tiona disgrace and public shame. The whole
country had Tor some time been taught to expect
little. as to character and influential weight In
come to regard his taste In such matters nfai-
BILE, and certain to pick out genuine mediocrty or
imbeclty every time wnen left TO its own unin-
nuenced course. But this selection OF fourth or
fifth rate man like this Williams for the responsible
office OF Chief Justice strikes even the regulation
apologsts with astonshment With the rise or
radcalism to power the Court has steadily detc-
riorated in character, while the Judges salaries
have risen, the one eminent exception being Cner
Justice Chase, whose place cannot we'll be filed.
To try to ill It with such an absurd pgmy as &c.
II. Williams. OF Oregon" is something worse than
a joke, This s no passing, trivial and temporary
evi. 1t and Its effects remain An imbece or a
corrupt judiciary is a curse to any country Mar
shall, Taney, Chase-Williamsl
The Albany Journal says Of Mr.. Winams:-
He possesses large legal attainments sound under
standing. judicial cast OF mind and thorough
familiarity with the principles and polity OF the
nation. Still in the very prime OF life, with great
industry and strong love OF his profession, we be-
ieve he will satisfactorily I'LL the exalted position
TO which he Is appointed.
the Rochester Democrat ana Chronicle says
This appointment while 1t will not be received by
the country with enthusiasm, as Just recognition
OF the most commanding Jurdcal talents, Will be
generally acquiesced in and pronounced to be
eminentiy respectable. Judge Williams can hardly
be said to be great lawyer. In the sense IN which
speak OF William NJ. Evarts and Charles O'Conor
in that connection, but he OF lair reading,
OF habits OF close application and rigid analysis.
and wihal possessed OF fund OF common sense
which is often more serviceaDe than the most eX-
alted genius
The Hartford Courara Governor Hawley's paper,
says OF the nomination.
refused to credit the rumors OF special correspond
ents as to the coming man. Certainly no one who
Mobilier case in Hartford would nave selected him
as the fttest man lii learning or culture for the
first judicial position in the nation. Perhaps how
ever II Is Unfair TO the new Chief Justice TO csti
maze his ability from single trial where he had
to contend with the Keenest legal nteiects i1 The
country. He Will doubtless iii his new position
honestly, II not brilliantly.
The Trenton (N. J.) True american thinks that
this selection will be disappointment to the
country
1t was the general feeling that for the highest
judicial Office in the Republic the very best legal
talent should have been secured, but no one VIII
pretend that this has been done IN the selection
made,
The New Haven Palladium says
The nomination OF Attorney General Williams
10 the Chiel Justiceship caused some disappUint-
ment, but, upon the whole, has been iavoraby
ceved. Whilc not regarded great lawyer,
his honesty and good sense are frankly acknowi
edged, and he has u good reputation industry
ana studlous habits II may be taken lor granted
that he viii not Try to make his high olhce step
ping stone to the Presidency.
The Press OF the same city says
Mr.. Williams has the reputation OF being fair
lawyer, and while u member OF the Uniteu States
Senate won for himself high rank in that body,
yet we hardly think linn the best selection that
could havebeen made Tor the first judicial position
In the nation.
The Philadelphia Ace thinks that che VIII add
nothing 10 the intellectual wealth OF tue Court but
is a safe, respectable lawyer
The Utica Observer thus gives vent to its morti-
fcation that the nantes OF Marshall, Taney and
chase should fall upon Williams shoulders
The Chief Justice links TO the legal acquire
ments of rural attorney the judicial attributes of
an average justice OF the peace, and the blind but
changeabe prejudiceS OF a crossroads politician.
Circumstances nave conspred heretofore 10 give
him places beyond his deserts and TO INT him above
the level OF the class to which he belongs But at
each successive stage OF his progress he mas be-