The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-16
CHIEF JUSTICE WAITE.
What Hs Said to Herald Reporter About the
Chief Justiosship. His Appointment and the
Work Ahead-No Bias, but Decided
Opinions = Pen-and-Ink Sketch
Of the Msn-H1 Duties
to Begin Next Month

The recently nominated and confirmed Chief
justice Waite arrived at the St Nicholas Hotel
On saturday on his way to Washington, where he
Will shortly begin the duties Of his high ONCE
HERALD reporter met the new Chief Justice
AT the motel and conversed for some time with
MN. MI Waite was communicative and exceed
ingly pleasant in his manner
Chlef Justice Waite is man Of apparently hfty
TO hity-hVe years or age. In stature he is rather
below the medium height, but solidly and com.
pacty built. To say that there is ANYTHING striking
In his appearance would be to exaggerate: but II
an observer should closely scan his countenapce
he would observe
MANY MARKS OF CHARACTER
IN the dark and somewhat saturnine contour OF his
face, which Is remarkably dark His eyes are
black and brilliant, his teeth white and shining.
He wears his black beard-which is touched with
gray like his hair-long, and In a certain point OF
view there is somewhat OF resemblance
between Mr.. Waite and the late Chief
Justice Chase. He dresses always In dark clothes,
and there is certain elegance, but no pretension,
in the manner he clothes himself. In bearing he
is courteous, but decided. It ID easy to see at a
glance that the new Chief Justice will not be
waverlng for he has all the appearance Of one
who would brave
ANYTHING FOR OPINIONS SAKE.
In conversation he is slow and measured When
speaking his face lights up, and there Is some
thing sympathetic in its appearance, which It
loses when In repose. In word. whatever CMef
Justice Waite may turn out to be- success or
a failure, it is certain that he will never sin
through ignorance or weakness.
AS the reporter entered Chief Justice Waite
stretched out his hand cordially and invited him
to a chair.
Twas certain" he SAID smiling. "that your paper
nrld LAT Tho ctf vvvifh MT
some reminder tnat it was omnipresent But
know OF little that can say which Is worth the
trouble OF noting"
"You are now on your way to Washington,
eyes; shall leave here on Monday for the capt.
myself with the city before the beginning OF my
duties. The Court does not open until the Sd or
SHALL THEN TAKE MY SEAT,
first taking my oath OF ONCE"
~ believe not. 1t is simply matter Of neces-
sity before taking any ONCE under the constisu-
do you anticipate that your duties win be oner.
II presume, moderately so, as understand
there is great deal OF business before tine Court
unfinished business-the greater part Of IT growing
increase Of the business Of the Court
which, after these matters are settled, viii
a full conviction that there Is quite enough to do
to Keep Chief Justice busy. You see, besides
the duty Of sng IN e %
circuit Of which there are nine. The Chief JUS
uce has q circuit also. That Of the late
| CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE
included the State Of Virginia. Isnal probably have
the same circuit. Originally Supreme Court
but since the great increase OF business IN
their Court circuit judges have been APP
to the extent Of their power This
system is very perfect one, but
as we as the sns 'hs M
the actual work in the Supreme Court itself Is
concerned the Chief Justice simply presides, but
Judges. The decisions are rendered by ballot one
judge pronouncing the decision for all. The Chief
nounce than the Others"
Regarding your appointment by the President,
had you any expectation OF It previous to the mo-
ment you received the newss"
'None whatever said the Chief Justice, sex
cept in so far as had seen my name mentioned in
A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE.
Some Of the lawyers your paper had interviews
son for the position. But as to any official notif
cation that might expect to be nominated, or,
ce Tseei none. s When the news se' came to
presiding oficer Of the ohio Constitutional Con-
vention in Cincinnati, and the contents of the
last Thought in my mind at the time that the de-
spatch was the news Of my nomination to the posi-
ton Of Chief Justice. NY friends IN the Conyen-
sure.n - 49,
.And the whole State, no doubt feels the honor
OF the ch0iceW
Il dare to hope sou
"You were associated in the Geneva arbitration
ayes. Mr. Evarts, Caleb Cushing and myself
were associated in that case. We all took part in
the argument and diyided up the iabors, which
"Haye you been concerned in any other case be-
sides TINS one OF matt national nal INTEREST," at as
tice at the Bar has been mainly confined to my own
State
"Have you practised before the Supreme Court
OF the United Statess'
al was admitted to 1t about one year ago, but
never practised in person. I have had cases be-
fore it but they have been argued by other PERSONS
and in other Names"
'You are, no doubt. well acquainted with Caleb
Cushing, from your connection with him IN &C.
ION, yes, know General Cushing very wen
indeed and have q high regard for his talents.
was simply more fortunate than he
IN NEVER HAVING WRITTEN ANY LETTER
which could be brought up against me.n
at seems rather nard that letter should be
| ferreted out as that was and produced against a
| man after thirteen years. when 1t was no doubt
written in q d. OF momentary anger"
Yes. the circumstances OF the case do seem
rather hard said aid, Mr. Waite smiling; land 1t
should be Of what he puts hts signature General
Cushing viii not practise any more at present in
ths sgRremle G1ars, suppose as he goes 70 spain
.'fhere were some questions concerning Con-
federate bonds still pending before the Supreme
Court when Chief Justice Chase died9 Have you
ever expressed an opinion on the questions"
81 have not and should be most careful not to do
so now though do not know OF the existence OF
such cases.. During the war ! was OF course, in
full concord with the North, and was in every way
Unionist so that, as far as my political opinions
are concerned, they are known, and these would
naturally lead me
| TO CERTAIN CONCLUSIONS
regarding the South. But this Is subject on
which prefer not conversing."
"There was q statement in some OF the papers,"
said the HERALD reporter, "that secretary Deano
was strong friend OF yours and that 1t was upon
his suggestion you were nominated. have you
! any knowledge OF the facts Of this caser'
III know nothing OF 1t. Mr.. Delano and myself
have been for many years personal friends and
| when ne came to my State we met very often.
am certainly not aware that Mr.. DelanO suggested
INV name, II he did do SO; but am very certain
that had he opposed my nomination 1t would not