Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-02-05
The New Chief.J Justice.

With Ohio, Connecticut is honored in
the choice. Our own county was his
birthplace, and our own city contains
many whose intimacy, through ties of
blood and friendship, had taught them,
long before the country began TO know
ana honor him, what his great qualities as
n lwayer, student, and high. toned
gentlemen were, Mr.. Waite was, till
recently, an unknown man, at least
throughout the country. In his own
State, ana more especially in his own
town, he has been regarded for some
years as lawyer offar more than average
ability. Appointed by the President to
assist General Gushing and William NJ.
Evaris as counsel for our Government
before the Geneva Board of Arbitration,
his name was Swallowed oy the then
greater fame of his two associates. Not
SO when he finished his labors there, for
by an argument of almost unequaled
power, force and clearness, he attracted
the general attention of the country, aud
was speedily thereafter acknowledged as
one Of the leading legal lights of the land.
Those who had known Mr.. Waite, how
ever, previous to this were prepared for
the brilliant effort he then made. More
recently, as President of the Ohio Consti-
tutional Convention, he has still further
added to his reputation. AS lawyer, Mr..
Waite's qualifications for the high position
are unquestionable Possessed OF mind
keenly logical, his early training deve-
oped still more strongly its powers. His
father was eminent as a lawyer, and an
honored Chief-J Justice of our highest State
Court. But by lifelong and intense APP
plication to the study he was by nature
and training so admirably fitted for, and
by an extensive practice at the Ohio Bar,
he has perfected himself, so far as man
can perfect himself, in the knowledge OF
that limitess and grand study. Further
than this his attention, either by choice
or chance, has been turned especially to
the Interpretation of the many difficult
questions of law underlying the constitu
ton, and it was no doubt his great attain
ments in this branch OF the science which
induced his appointment as counsel at
Geneva. 1t will be with no smattering Of
Coke, no scanning of Blackstone and
Kent, that he will take his seat, The
principles of the law, and their applica-
ton in the cause of justice and right,
have been his study. His knowledge
does not end with his brief or plea. Pre-
eminent, then, in this respect are his
qualifications for the high position. But
the high character, the winning social
qualifications, and the kindness of heart,
which with great learning combine to
make the perfect Judge, Mr.. Waite
possesses in a high degree. The country
has reason to thank Gen. Grant for this
happy appointment. -NoraoiM Comm
Bulletin.
The Presidents nomination of Hon.
Morrison r. Waite for Chief Justice is
not only unexceptionable in every way,
but is an admirable one, and there can be
no reason to doubt its prompt contirma
ton. The President has hit the good for
tune which the old saying gives to the
third effort. The selection is honorable
to Gen Grant, and BELTS the high charac-
ter the Supreme Bench should have, and
it is safe for the country. 1t is the more
honorable TO both parties because of the
fact that Mr.. Waite has not only not
made or instigated any effort TO influence
the Presidents choice, but has advised
against such efforts when offered by his
friends. On his part the appointment is
perfectly unsolicited, and on the part of
the President il was made without any
outward pressure. Never has an appoint
ment been made 10 this high office in
manner tina. better beftted it, Mr, Waite
is lawyer of thorough training and Of
large practice, and has long ranked with
the first lawyers OF a state not lacking in
high legal talent. He has the direct and
logical processes Of thought, the judicial
temper, and the just mind which makes
the jurist. With these high professional
qualities he is distinguished for purity OF
character, for large humanity, a bcnevo-
lent and generous nature, warm heart
edness, and loyalty to friends and to
convictions, which make him beloved by
those who know him. -Cmct1matt Ga
zate