Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1880-06-14
STATESMAN AND LAWYER.
IN THE SENATE AND COURT ROOM.

The period Of Nh. Bsyard's Senator,
ship was not continuous one by any
means but he served the greater part
of the period between his entrse In
1850 and his final retirement twenty
years later. His service was exceed
ingly valued and his course marked
by en- ability which made him respect.
ed among the intellectual giants who
were his colleagues. A singular judi
cicus care and wise discernment en-
abled him to shape his policy in a
manner that brought corstsut credit to
himself. Though most earnest par
tisan he was always firm in his con.
vistions and 1t was not the opposition
party alone who a. times found fault
with his public acts. Honest of par.
pose, no matter what the result might
be, aud stsadfs.st in fair doing whether
or not 1t effected party interests he was
undoubtedly man who Supported the
measure he thoughtto be right. Almost
imusdi ately upon taking his seat in
the Senate Mr.. Bayard began to as.
sumo leading position In that body,
and by the time two years had elapsed
he had made record for himself tha.
compared favorably with that of the
FIRST few years service Of his honored
father. In 1858 his place was taken by
Jehn N. Clayton. This was done out
OF justice to that great statesman, in
order that he might vindicats himself
against an attack made by Cass upon
the Clayton -Bulwer treaty, Just con-
cluded. In 1856 Clayton died and in
1857 JosephP. Comegys was appointed TO
fill out the urexpired term. In the
same year Mr.. Bayard was elected
for the full term and served it out
with credit. In February, 1868, he
was reelected and took part in the ex-
citing scenes then being enacted at the
Capital. When Congress proposed the
passage Of the somewhat celebrated
"iron clad oath,' the Senator arose
and stood in unyialding opposition.
Deleg went on to Washington
and urged him to take the cath but he
refused saying it was unconstitutional.
He finally made powerful speech
against the act and resigned. This act
convulsed Delaware Democrats with
excitement. George Read Riddle was
elected to fill the unexpired term by the
Legislature, and he continued in that
position until 1866, when he died. His
death occurred soon after the adjourn
ment Of tho Legislature and it became
necessary for the Governor, un-
til the Legislature should meet, to ap-
point successor. Governor Salisbury
was in office at that time and hs select
cd Mr.. Bayard, who went back 10 the
Senate, the obnoxious oath having been
done away with. When the General
Assent bly, met In 1867 only six weeks |
Of the upexpired term remained and
Mr.. Bayard was chosen UNANIMOUSLY for
that brief season. On the same day,
March 4th,) Thomas y. Bayard was
sleoted for the new term 10 commence
when his father retired.
In the course Of his career James A. !!
Bayard won for himself q reputa- +,
lion as a lawyer that Was worldwide.
His FIRST great case was In lS34-35,
when the famous Randall suit was
tried in New Castle. In this ease John .
Randall was plaintiff and the Delaware
G. Chesapeake Canal Company defend
ant. Randall was contractor for the
canal, and the contract was taken from
him. He employed John M. Clayton
10 bring o suit for damages which was
ioue In 1888. Bayard was the leading
lawyer for the defense. When the
,aee came in court quite q number of
lawyers from all over the
country appeared on both sides, but
young Bsysrd showed himself equal to
any Of tAem. The csse was famous In
that the findings for unliquidatsd dam
ages before the verdict was rendered |