New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
THE CHIEF JUSTICESHIP.
NOMINATION OF MIR. WAITE

COMBINATION PROBABLE.
lBr TELEGRAPH rRrBUSE.l
WASHINGTON Jan. 19.-The nomination OF Nor
rson X. Waite Of Ohio to 10 Chief Justice, which
was sent to the Senate to-day about O'Clock, was
not received with rs much surprise as were tho
announc ements of the names Of Williams and Cush-
ing for the same Office. Il had been again and
again asserted that no name would be sent TO the
Senate till after another meeting Of the Cabinet,
and the President no longer ago than Saturday
night said to friend in conversation that
no had not made up his mind as
to the appointment. lt has been long
known that Mr. Waite was one Of the gentlemen
whom the President had in mind. and for several
days it has been thought that his chances
were among the best. He is personally
never .heard of him till 30 wa;
urged as counsel for the Upited States at the
Geneva Arbitration, to which position he was APP
pointed. The Ohio delegation, according to Senator
Sherman, at no time urged bls appointment, al
though the Republicans from Ohio in Congress
cordially indorse ais selection.
lie in native Of Connecticut and about 50 years
old lie graduated at Yale College in the class with
Mr.. Evarts, and Is regarded Us without blsm-
ish in his private character His father and
Connecticut Both occupied judicial positions in
that State. His grandfather was 80 years old when
be died, and his father over 80 Mr.. Waite
never held any public Office except the Geneva APP
ponment, although he has several times been
candidate He is however, at present, President OF
the Ohio Constitutional Convention.
During tho last canvass in Ohio he took an active
part in the campaign, and made several speeches.
Had tho RepublicansI been successful in carrying
the Legislature. Mr. Waite would have
been candidate for the United
States Senate in place of Mr. sherman. His Repnb-
Gcanlsm is not questioned by those who know him,
although during the war, at its close, he ran
against Jas. NJ. Ashley az an independent candidate
for Congress. but was defeated.
While absent at Geneva his friends again pressed
his nomination for Congress in the convention
which nominated Mr.. Sherwood, the present MEM
Dor from the With District lie never desired office
for himself but his friends long sought to turn his
attention to more active politics
His continuation is not seriously doubted in any
quarter. The appointment excites no particular ex-
pressions Of qualification, but is received in rather
an indifferent spirit OF course there are Re-
publican Senators who complain that Mr.. Waite
is too obscure lawyer and not prominent enough
AZ q Republican to merit the high dstinc-
ton. But nobody doubts his confirmation.
The Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
are much better pleased than they were with
the nomination Of bir. Gushing, although none OF
them have any personal acquaintance with Mr.
Waite, who. it is understood never argued case
before the Court. His name was sent
70 one of the Judges on the Bench
as soon as it to the Senate, and 1t was passed
from Judge to another along the Bench, till
each was informed of the nomination. aud an APP
proving smile lighted up the faces of all ~ they
read the announcement.
lGEsERAL PRESS DIsrArCH.l
WAsHINGToN. Jan. l9--Morrson X. Waite Of Ohio
was nominated to-day 10 be CnicfJustice of the
Supreme Court, much to the surprise of Senators
and all others about tho Capitol. including tho
Justices of tho Court but it did not occasion
the same degree of wonder when
Caleb Cushing's name was transmitted for
the same office. Subsequently, tho Senate
in executive session. referred the nomination TO the
Committee on the Judiciary, who will probably to-
morrow, report favorably upon it. Many inquiries
were made as TO the standing of this gentleman, he
not thaYing national reputation, but being best
known in the State of which he is citizen. The
nomination recalled the fact that he acted ore of
counsel before the Geneva Tribunal OF Ar
btratiOn, and some OF the Senator'S
wore acquainted with him as able
lawyer of 50 years standing and although Republi-
can not active partisan. and at the present time
President of the Ohio Constitutional Convention
1t was discovered on looking at the Supreme Court
record. that year ago tomorrow Mr. Waite was,
on the motion of Caleb Cushing, admitted TO the
bar Of that Court az an attorney. Contrary to
port Mr. Waite never held n Jndgeship in Ohio.
Senators of both parties speak well of the nomiOa
ton. and there seems to be no doubt Of its cOnrma
ton.
ANOTHER sKEICH or Mr.. WAlIEs cAREEk.
taESgRAL PgEss DisrATcHl
TOLEDO, Jan. l9.--The nomination of Judge Waite
for Chief Justice is received with expressions of
great satisfaction by every one here. Tomorrow
morning The Commercial will give brief
sketch Of Judge Waite's life, from which
it appears that he is a of the late ChIetJustce
Waite of Connecticut. one OF the leading jursts of
New England. He is now in his 5sth year. He was
graduated at Yale College at the age OF q. Ia 1893
he came to Toledo and studied law with 5. NJ.
Young now Of Toledo with whom he practiced for IS
years. He has for many years stood at the head Of
the Bar of North estern Ohio and twice declined
q seat on the Supreme Court Bench Of Ohio. In
1S49 he was elected q member Of the Legis-
lature, serving with distinction. In 1862
he was a candidate for Congress. and
though defeated he received majority
of l. 200 in Toledo. In December, 1871, he was ap-
pointed as q counsel to Geneva, which position he
filled with honor. He is now serving as men,
Der and President Of the Ohio Constitutional
Convention, to which position no was
chosen by the unanimous vote OF both
parties The present appointment, like all other
public honor has come TO him without the slightest
seeking on his part he having discouraged his per-
sonal friends from efforts to the place for him.
His neiQhbors feel every assurance that in this in
every other trust he will abundantly Justify the
confidence reposed in him,
RECEPTION OF HE Nsws AT CINCINNATI.
1l-nha