The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-20
Morrison X. Waite Nominated for
Chief Justice.
SURPRISE OF THE SENATE.
The President Consults Only His Own
Judgment in the Selection.
WILL 1T MEET PARTISAN REQUIREMENTS:
The Quiet Career and Limited Public
Services Of the Candidate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. 1874
The President sent to the Senate to-day the
nomination OF MORMON II. Waite TO be Chief JUS
tice OF the Supreme Court OF the United states.
Inquiries made among prominent Senators rs to
how the nomination OF Mr.. N. X Waite was re-
ceived IN the Senate have elected the fact that,
while 1t has thus far occasioned any Objection
Senator'S for the most part did not think that 1t
the best selection that could be made and that
while 1t was passabe 1t did not create
very strong impression nor arouse any enthusiasm
among them. One leading Senator remarked that
he did not know much about him and did not know
how it would take, while another said. ave are
going to look for information now, to know who is
who;' and yet a third known to fame
said, "We shall wait to find out from
the newspapers whether there is any
reason why Mr.. Waite should not be
confrmedp That is about the best source OF in
formation we have, 1t was remarked that the
selection was somewhat singular, having been
made without consultation by the President with
the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
would be judged court and called for in the
nature Of things. But Grant is governed
more by his selEreliance than the custom
Of political magnates heretofore, which was
observed by them in consulting Senators and
party advisers as to the acceptabilty OF those who
were going to be nominated for important ocnces
| The nomination was referred to the judiciary
Committee to-day, but in the absence OF
| Edmunds chairman, and Conkling, prominent
| members Of the Judiciary Committee, nothing has
been done as yet. There is no doubt the same
elaboration and searching investigation will be
| had by them as has heretofore obtained in the
| nomination OF Williams.
| The selection OF Mr. Waite as one Of the Geneva
counsel was at the suggestion Of Mr.. Evarts who
had been his cassmate at Yale College. Ralph
Keller whose death occurred recently in the
| Cuban waters, while employed as q corresond-
ent of o New York paper, accompanied Mr..
| Waite to Geneva and 1t was through his letters
| TO the newspaper with which he correspondent
that Mr.. Waite's name was frequently brought
/ into public notice. He mas never held any judicial
or ofcial position, though he has been prominently
spoken OF for Congress from the district in which he
resides at every nominating convention which has
met therein for that purpose for the last fifteen
years. In 1862 he ran as an independents repubh-
can against James Ashley, but was defeated.
| He is popular in Toledo, and 1t Is said
that at every public gathering he is called
out as one Of the speakers; that even on occasion
| OF the reunion OF the Army Of che Cumberland last
fall, at which were present Grant, Sherman Sherf-
dan and other distinguished officers the toast OF
"Peace hath her victoriesnot less renowned than
war;' was interpolated at the dinner for the
purpose of having Mr.. Waite take part In the pro-
ceedings. He Is represented as q man Of the
strictest integrity. Though he has had very
large and lucrative practice, he Is BY no means
weathy-probabiy not worth over SEQ 900 or $70 oO0
He has lived literally, and enjoyed his money as
he has made it. He IS described industrious
| lawyer, we'll grounded in all the branches OF hts
profession. He is not a brilliant or particularly
attractive public speaker but is impressive in his
| manner, and has great weight with juries. Last
| fall, after CoDkllng had declined Grant
hesitated between Williams and Waite as
| his next choice. 1t understood that
the latter could not relinqush the large gains of his
practice at the bar for the comparatively small
salary attached to the position OF Chief JUS
| tice, besides which he thought that hav.
ing been SO extensively engaged in be-
half OF the large railroad corporations
| 1t would be to him somewhat embarrassing to
have adjudicated cases in which men representing
! them, with whom ne had been on terms OF close
| personal friendship. and for whom he had at
| times acted as counsel had valuable in
| terests; and now comes up the 81 gnifcant
! question, Is this polite appointments No mat
ter how strongly endorsed Mr.. Waite may be as to
his qualifications, will he not be looked upon as
another railroad lawyer the Bench
1t looks as though capital and corpora
lions Effected the appointment, and that
instead of the Supreme Court representing
has been to sustain the capitalists who were only
known by their subscriptions to be in sympathy
with the republican party. The Senate. however,
is 80 tired Of its wrangle with the President
on the two preceding nominations that this
will, doubtless be confirmed without much
opposition. AS Mr.. Waite Is not over fifty seven
years OF age, and Is OF robust health and active
| temperament, it may be fairly expected that he
| will enjoy the honors and perform the duties ap-
pertaining to the office for many years to come.
| His family will be attractive addition to Wash
ington society. His wife is described hand.
some, stylish woman, decidedly aristocratic in
her tastes, fond OF society," in which
| she has always been a distinguished leader. She
| is mperlous in her manner. exacting in her rela-
! lions with those who presume to cultivate her
quaintance, and will assert the dignity the first
lady OF the land in manner that may dazzle
| modern society in washington. The new Cniei
Justice has Marshall's tastes, and Will not want for
associates 1t will not be a question OF quart,
| but OF q gallon.
Reception OF the News OF HIS Nomina-
/ ton by Mr.. Waite-Action OF the Com
stitutional Convention At Cincinnati.
| CINCINNATI, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1874
| The news Of the nomination Of Morrison r.
Waite, Of Toledo, now President OF the Ohio Con.
stitutional State Convention, came to Mr.. Waite at
noon, at the beginning Of the afternoon session.
Rufus King arose and read the Associated Press
despatch from Washington announcing the nom
| nation Of Mr.. Waite.
The Convention forgot its gravity and broke out
into prolonged storm OF applause In which
every member Of the Convention most heartily
participated.
Mr. Samuel Hunt then moved to appoint q
committee of I'VE to draft resolution OF the sense
! OF the Convention on the subject.
|
business proceeded.
| He has refused to permit any member ofthe Con-
vention TO use influence at Washington for his APP
! pointment though several have ofrered to do so.
and he was not aware that any Of his friends had
presented mis- name.
He is now stopping, with his wife and sister, al
the Burnet House.