The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-01-15
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CHIEF JUSTICE.

The nomination by the President OF Hon.
Caleb Cushing, to be Chief Justice Of the |
United States. was surprise not only to po- |
litical circles about Washington, but to tbs 4
entire country, following as 1t did SO soon af-
ter the same gentleman had been designated
as Minister to Spain. The aversion mani
tested to the confirmation of Mr.. Williams
BY some of the Republican Senators, was 50
lily disguised to be the result Of personal
jealousy, aud not so much want Of conf
dence in his mental and professional fitness
for the position, that the President doubtless
concluded 10 present the name of Mr.. Cush-
ing, as that which was freer from the objec-
tons that evidently rested at the bottom of
the opposition to Mr.. Williams. 1t is gen
orally believed that society" influence had
more to do in inaaming animosity to Mr..
Williams, than any question Of public policy.
He is a married man, and BY reason Of this
high position he would have occupied had be
been confirmed, Mrs. Williams would have
been regarded as the first lady of the ma
ton" This was too much for shoddy, and
hence, it Wis surmised, all the Ingenuity Of
ambitious Jealousy on the part Of the female
'srings" about Washington, was excited into
action to prevent the confirmation. Mr..
Gushing is widower --he will carry up with
him no lady to excite the envy Of the socie-
ty leaders, and therefore nillreceive less OPP
position.
There has been nothing developed which
could honestly inspire belief that the selec-
stion of Mr.. Williams was not proper one.
He has successfully and successfully filled
numerous high positions with honor, whica
have trained his mind for the discharge Of
| the duties Of even SO high position as that
Of Chief Justice. Indeed, no substantial
reason has been advanced Why he should not
have been confirmed, but it seems his enc
mics were sufficiently formidable to induce
the withdrawal of his name and the substi
tuition Of that Of Mr.. Gushing
|
years in advance Of the age, when it is con-
tempaied by law that Justice Of the SUI
preme Court may be retired. He is STILL
however, Of vigorous mental and physical
capacities, and his requirements better ft him
for the position than any living citizen. But
Mr.. Gushing is not a man SO much distin-
Iguished for the accuracy and profoundness
of his judgment as he is for the extent Of
his erudition. IF he is confirmed, he may
1acceptab1y Fill the position for a few years,
when he will, in the nature Of things, have
to retire.
A The most noted event in the life of Caleb
4 Cushing, was his connection with the mem
orable Charleston Convention of 1860, and
the adjourned session Of the same Conven-
ton in Baltimore. AS parliamentarian he
was serupuleusly fair as President of that
body at Charleston. AT Baltimore, he be-
came partizan, identified himself with the
secession or Yancy element, left the regular
! organization, and organized and presided ov-
err the boilers Convention that nominated
Breckenridge Mr.. Gushing and Benz. It.
Butler had more influence in encouraging and
consummating the disruption Of the Demo-
cratic party at Baltimore, and consequently
the final inauguration of civil war, than any
two men in that body. Had it not been for
the Northern support given to that move
ment and the influence they excited oyer
the delegates from that section present, the
election of Stephen A. Douglas might have
/ been secured, and civil war averted. Siugu.
lar to say, however, Notwithstanding the
| prominent positions taken by these two gen.
tlemen, the one, Mr.. Butler, is regarded as
the leader Of the Republican party in Con-
gress, and the other has been rendered the
i highest civil position in the government, by
the General who conqueredin the war then
really inaugurated, for the first act that lead
to hostilities was the organization of the
Breckenridge Convention at Baltimore, over
which Caleb Gushing presided, and in which
BENZ. Butler was the moving spirit
Mr.. Cushing has always been regarded as
Democrat Of the States-right school. He
voted for Gen. Grant over Greeley in 1879,
4 doubtless because he believed him to be a
better Democrat than Greeley, as his anteoe-
dents justified He has not been, however,
prominently connected with politics since the
war. Heis alearned lawyer, an aecompliss-'
ed diplomatist, and gentleman whose charac-
ter is above reproaeh.-
| THE SALARY BILL--The following is the
text of the salary bill, as it finally passed the
Senate, on Monday last:
Belt enacted, de-, That SO much Of the
act Of March Sd, 1873, entitled IAN act ma.
king appropriations for the Legislative, Ex-
ecutive and Judicial expenses of the Gov
ernment for the year ending Jnne 80, 1871,
as provides for the increase Of the com pen
sation Of public officers and employees,
| whether members of Congress, delegates or
others, except the President ana Judges Of
the Supreme Court, be, and the same is,
hereby repealed; and the salary, compensa-