The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-01

his old classmates at college, Senator Frenghuysen
CORTLAND Parker. His name is associated with all
the great argued in the Now Jersey courts and
his ability acknowledged to DO with
his reputation. While the two giant monopolies tho
Camden and Amboy Railroad and tho Delaware and
Raritan Canalcontroed the STATE debating its policy
and its politics. Mr. Bradley their leading counsel
lor and of his greatest efforts at the Bar in
the trial of involving the interests OF these
porations Not seeking polt cal Office and finding in
his profession field equal to his AMBITION he con-
tinued the practice until his elevation the Bench,
and in the State, or indeed IN the country,
stood higher u lawyer
"He has gone most deeply into tho foundations aud
principles Of the law, said eminent member OF the
New York Bar who has known Judge Bradley well,
''and know who Is Ills equal either learning
in the ability to apply his cruditon."
This opinion seems to be general among tho lawyers
who know him in private life or who have been
ciated with him in tho trial OF causes.
BLACK LETTER LEARNING.
1t may well DO imagined that lawyer with such
strong taste for mathematics shat he would pursue
such difficult labor their study for amusement,
and the exactpg duties of large practice the Bar
would find time also Tor other studies which few law
yers devote themselves His literary we'll as his
legal studies embrace tho widest range.
Blackstone and Chitty and Kent, the common law
pleading and practice are usually far lawyers 90
IN the investigation OF the principles Of tho law and
most OF them hold that go further tighten tho
deepest study by acquaintance with polite ltera-
ture would be an injury rather than benefit Judge
Bradley was never believer IN this narrow policy,
and he has pursued the study OF law Us science,
tending his researches tho civil law, and exploring
the whole field Of black letter learning through the
Middle and Lower ages. These studies extended to
we'll tn cln nd for
that no is the best read lawyer In tho country in
medieval history, literature and law His studies
have in no way dctracted from his great power as q
lawyer In spite OF an abundance of what most men
would regard useless Information he never showed
tho lack OF common sense which so often manilests t.
self with great eruditon and practical knowledge
upon all subjects he is without superior.
Personal AND POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
In regard his personal and political characteristics
Judge Bradley Is generally considered worthy of tho
highest respect He Is what IS called 'cold man (" as
profound students apt to be- II lacking in per.
sonal magnetism he at least wants the fire which en-.
ables impulsvo people to draw the crowd after them.
He talks with deberation, almost with a drawl. aud
convnces py the force of his arguments rather than
captures by the brilliancy Of his rhetoric 1t
easy for such man to be partisan, and those who
know him best claim for Judge Bradley entire freedom
from partisanship In early life no q whig and
without being an antisavery man he subsequently be-
moderate republican. He never took very active
interest in politics, but during tho rebellion he cs
poused the national warmly and this led to his
accepting the only public trust no exercised in
his life, that OF Presidential eect0r in 1868 His mind
is eminenly judicial This is conceded to him alike
by political friend and foe, and 1t is not believed that
upon any occasion would he forego his judicial fairness
to serve any party political end. He is good
ffOu ltcto md hin
His personal integrity is unspoted, and wrong has
been imputed to him except in blind partisanshp.
SUPREME BENCH
II is not surprising that OF such requirements
and such characteristics should have been appointed
to the Supreme Bench by President Grant In look
ing for his judges Grant never went among the polt
Clans story Is told TO the effect that nameless
somebody to the President that Joseph p Brad
ley, Of Newark, was proper person to be made Of
the Judges OF the Supreme Court 1t may be assumed
as matter of course, that Grant had heard Of
Bradley BEFORE had only read his name among the
New Jersey electors four years previously but any
rate, the story goes that the President was ex-
tremely grateful for this information Inquiry followed
and the Information which thus obtained proving
satisfactory the suggestion acted upon and Brad
ley was given the vacant place in tho Supreme Court
He was appointed March 81, 1870 and assigned to tho
Louisiana and Texas circuit Some OF his dc cisions
have attracted much attention, notably those In the
Texas slaughter house cases and that In the Grant
parish trials in Louisiana Tho Grant parish cases. It
will be remembered, were indictments charging GER
tain persons with murder and a conspiracy to take
away tho rights Of American citizens OF African
descent under the thirteenth amendment
Judge Bradley declared the indictment invalid upon
grounds broad enough to satisfy the enemies Of
the recent amendments to the constitution. He is
now called upon by four OF his brethren upon the
Supreme Bench to perform the delicate functions
ever committed 10 jurist this country aud the
nth Judge upon the Electoral Commission not only
will all hts acts be carefully scruinized but all his
cbarac and his past acts will BIO taken tho
account determining the probabilities OF candor and
fairness IN the he is likely TO pursue in this
emergency.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUSTICE
AS KNOWN TO HIS FRIENDS AND NEIGHBoRs.
NEWARK, n. j., jan 81 1871
The selection Of Judge Joseph r. Bradley the fifth
member Of the Judiciary part Of the electoral tribunal
was the great topic OF discussion in Newark yesterday
With the exception OF few extreme partisan demo.
Gratis, who fear that his repubIicanism will sway his
JUDGMENT against The TdeD interests his selection IS
generally regarded with great favor. Speaking to a
HERALD representative last evening leading demo.
crat. holdlng most responsible Official position de-.
clarcd 1t as his belief that the Ju ige of that
calore Of mind and character that party interests
could or would influence HIM in the performance OF
his exalted functions q member OF the tribunal
He is said the gentleman referred to, clear headed
most learned ana upright Judge, and
politician With regard TO HIS Icga.tender judgment
II Is declared that his views thereon wcll known
long before President Grant appointed him. HIS do
cison UNFOLDING the consutiOnaiity OF the Enforce
mcn act Is quoted 10 his credit as just judge by the
democrats.
CHARACTERISTICS
In Newark, where the Judge began life o youth
and walked up the ladder Of professional success unit,
he reached the highest Bench In the United
States, odd stories related OF HIM.
II appears that while calm and unimpassioncd
In the consideration OF important matters, IN
trics the Judge las often manifested extraordinary