Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-01
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AUG u b t A.
SATURDAY MORNING. May l. 1875
rUp VIE ATTORNEY GENERAL

rUr VIEW ATTORNEY GENERAL
The appointment of Judge. Edwards
Pierrepont Of New York as Attorney Cen
eral is received with general satisfaction.
He is an able lawyer and his private char
acter is without reproach. Some surprise
has been expressed at his appointment as
he is a pronounced opponent oil the third
term idea, bu. those who believe that Presi-
dent Grant has no desire for third term
and never had. take the appointment as
confirming their opinion upon that point.
AIR. Pierrepont was born in North Ha-
ven, Conn, March !, 1917. He entered
Yale College in 1887 and graduated in the
regular course with high honors. lie
studied the profession of law, and entered
into practice in Ohio in 1S4l, but removed
TO New York in 1916, where he continued
the practice of his profession with much
success. In 1857 he was elected Judge
of the Superior Court to fill he'vacancy
caused by the death of Chief Justice Oak
lev. Three years aftcrward he resigned
the iudgeship, Up to the breaking out OF
the war, he had always acted and voted
with the democratic party. but without
taking any part in political life. When
the news of the bombardmcnt of Fort
Sumpter reached New York, he was one
of the first to rally to the support OF the
Government. He was one of the most
active in the organization Of the Union De-
tense Committee, of which John A. Dix,
Hamilton Fish, A. T. Stewart, and other
prominent citizens were members. These
gentlemen and their associates voluntarily
subscribed large sums Of money for the
immediate assistance of the Administra-
ton, which was then without funds, and
in the raising and fitting out of troops for
immediate service, as well as in other
matters, rendered the Government a SER
vice which will never be forgotten. In
all the labors Of this committee Judge
Pierrepont took prominent part, and was
one Of the principal organizers of the
great Union demonstration in Union
square on April 20, 1861, on which occa-
sion he was also one of the leading ora
tors. Throughout the administration of
President Lincoln he was one ofthat states
mans most Jealous supporters. and in
the prosecution of the war for the Union
he never wavered or doubted that vic
tory would in the end reward the exer-
Is 81. thrc acfix in,
political life, he still retained lucrative
law practice in which he was frequently
engaged either with OF against the most
conspicuous counselors of the New York
bar. In 1867 he was engaged by the Gov
eminent to conduct the prosecution Of John
H. Surrat. indicted for completely in the
murder of President Lincoln. In the cam
paign Of 1868 he was conspicuous as a
warm friend and supporter of Gen. Grant.
and contributed largely toward his election.
When the President assumed his Office in
March, 1869. Judge Pierrepont was APP
pointed United States District Attorney
for the Southern District of New York,
which Office he resigned in May, 1870 In
the Fall of the following year he was ac-
lively engaged In the war against the
Tammany Ring, and at the mass-meeting
of Sept. 4, at Cooper Institute, was ap-
pointed one of the famous Committee Of
Seventy" During the Summer and Au-
tumn of 1872. when so many Republicans
joined hands with the Democracy, Judge
Pierrepont remained an earnest and I'M
finching advocate Of the ticket which was
triumphant in the next November. In
May, 1873, he was rendered by the Presi-
dent the post of Minister to Russia, which
he declined. His present appointment is
favorably mentioned in all quarters.