The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-05
Scathing Criticism from the Pennsyl.
vania Monthly for January.

"A scanning Cr1t1C10m from the PennDYIs
vania Monthly for January.
It may seem rather q severe thing to say OF an
appointment to any office that 1t is one Of the
worst that General Grant has made and yet his
recent nomination Of the Attorney General to the
Chief Justiceship seems to merit nothing better.
From his previous appointments. and indeed, from
the proof which he has given us OF his knowledge
and appreciation Of 0fflces and men, we had no
reason to expect great things. And yet the
President was, no doubt. perfectly sincere when he
caused 1t TO be generally understood, after the
death OF Chief Justice Chase, that he would
take time to consider the appointment OF o sue
cessor and name no one without mature reflection.
He has taken time; he has considered well; he has
maturely reflected and In his opinion the Bar OF
the United States furnishes lawyer 1T for the
Chief Just1ceship as the Attorney General. From
the many newspapers which have gathered with
extraordinary diligence the leading facts of Mr..
the Iowa Bar at 81 and elevated to the Bench by
president and apprecative people at %. There
cred and u nc vear ca ~
his judicial life were more than so per cent OF his
decisions reversed BY the superior courts. After
an eminent Irish lawyer, "is hardly to be found In
the jurisprudence of the most barbarous nations
oregon as Chief Justice OF the then newly created
Territory. Passing into the Senate when Oregon
became q State, he remained an inconspicuous
member Of 1t until the eagle eye OF the President
detected in him those qualities which fitted him
for the post Of High Commissioner. He was thus
mature powers Of mind trained In the forensic
contests Of the Iowa bar, and stepped in the legal
lore Of Oregon; His experience IN The, The formation
deed, renders quite contemplate, the story which
hasbeen recently mentioned OF his having expressed
When 1t was found that the country could safely
dispense with the gigantic intellect OF Mr.. Aker-
Mr. Mr." Williams became Attorney General o It is his
misfortune perhaps more than his fault that he has
been forced y to shine rather in
department.. It was he who originated the plan
which enabled the twin legislatures OF Alabama to
one it is he who has upheld the oft-failng hands
Of Governor Kellogg. Of Louisiana; 1t was the
Attorney General 70 whom the country owes the
fraudulent voters in ls72 whom the people
and il Is Mr.. Williams who has guarded with re.
ligious care that mystery which surrounds the
names Of those prominent citizens o. Pniladel-
peater's pardon who united to secure 1t, and,
having done SO, blush lest it be known. Mr.. Will
Hartford last summer he argued the Credit Mobilier
case in such manner as to call forth but one
Il not the Court Of the strength Of his case at
least the audience OF his own incapacity. and to
draw from strong ADMINISTRATION jOurna, the re,
one who listened to him there can be-
ieve that It IL for his learning, or culture,
or ability that ne has been chosen for Chief
opposed IN that case by men like Curtis and
Evarts and Shlpman and Bartlett none OF whom
have ever been nominated for Chief Justlce), and
his case too was unskiully begun. 1t does Ger
tainly seem to finite and unoficial mind that
there might be found some person In the range OF
the American Bar more worthy Of this lofty place,
but the President has, no doubt, made the best APP
pointment Of which he Is capable. The circum-
stance goes long way toward making us feel sat
is1ed with an elective judiciary. The people
would hardly have made such choice. The news
papers OF all shades Of politics are almost unani-
ing from the indignant scream Of the
democratic to the gentle remonstrance
Of the administration organs. 1t ought,
liams, that at least two newspapers have received
his nomination with enthusiasm; one, q paper pub
lished In San Diego, Cal, and the other the ocial
journal Of Governor Kellogg. With these exceptions
has startled the country; 1t has shocked the
Bench; 1t win demoraze the Bar. Not only on
professional grounds have objections been raised
10 its confirmation. Charges OF q serious char
tegrity Of Mr. Williams, and he has been obliged to
appear in sef-defence. There is reason to hope
that they are unfounded. but 1t rs very sad to
think that the choice OF the President for the Chief
Justiceship is man against whom such charges can
be made. The Senate has adjourned for the holidays
without taking any action on the nomination. 1t
Is perhaps too much to expect that 1t win reject
It, but on It's dignity and independence the coun-
try restslts final hope. The successor OF Marshall
should be q man who has won great emnence by
professional labor. His learning should be great,
his ability unquestioned his character above re-
and the Senate csunot better full its highest duty
to the nation and to itself nor earn more COM
pletey the gratitude Of the people than BY reject
SEWING inc rom asadson the cnf sSS @ p' Of
the United states.